Hey i'm looking for recommendations on gear. I will be on the job and was wondering what gear you have the you consider a must have or gear that you wish you had when you first got on the job. Any advice would be greatly appreciated
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Realistically, every day I do the Macarena (sp): pat my creds, pat my gun, pat my knives, grab keys and out the door. Almost everything else is just fluff.
Get a reliable flashlight with backup batteries or a backup light. I recommend surefire lights.
Definitely see what, if any, guidelines your department has. Luckily my department doesn't care too much about gear so long as you have the minimum stuff required. Always carry latex or nitrile gloves on you.... Always.
Spare CR123 batteries if that's what your flashlight feeds on, spare handcuff keys, spare pen (sounds minor, but I'm always glad to have a spare tucked into the chicken plate pocket of my vest. When I need it I don't have it, etc.)
Hand sanitizer.
Spare keepers. They vanish into thin air.
Depending on what you'll be riding in, an appropriate comfortable holster. Hated my drop holster when it was forced upon me until I realized how much more comfortable it was, and that it enabled me to actually use the armrests in the boat. My back appreciates that.
Awesome guys thanks for the tips. Im looking at trying to find a rechargeable equivalent for the 123 batteries and then keeping some throwaways in my pack. Do you guys have a goto for brands as far as lights, knives, or keys. Also does anyone have an opinion on leather or nylon gear.