What are the Different Types of Law Enforcement Equipment?

Police officers are trained individuals whose job is to serve and protect. These individuals use specific law enforcement equipment to help them do their job. The right equipment is necessary for such a dangerous job.

One of the things an officer often has is a bulletproof vest. This form of body armor, composed of multiple layers of tough fiber, covers the torso to protect it from bullets. Even though the vest prevents the bullet from penetrating the skin, the person may still have trauma from the impact.

Officers carry a service weapon for protection. This gun may be a rifle, shotgun or handgun, depending on what the department chooses. Another type of gear officers have is the Taser gun. This controlled device sends an electrical shock through the person being tasered. The Taser gun can render a person still in a matter of seconds.

Pepper spray is a common type of law enforcement equipment for police officers. The spray is made from oleoresin capsicum. When used on a person, it causes instant burning on the skin, eyes and nose. Pepper spray can also cause respiratory distress such as coughing and throat irritation.

A belt holster is an important piece of equipment worn on the uniform. The holster has several compartments and can hold small items. Equipment carried in the holster includes flashlights, batons and pepper spray.

Tactical binoculars are helpful for the officer to see things at a distance. Since the binoculars have night vision, officers can use these during the day or night. An officer might use the binoculars to see a car’s license plate or watch a suspect during surveillance.

Officers use a two-way radio to communicate with one another. These radios are set up on a closed frequency that only other law enforcement officers can hear. The dispatcher also sends out requests for assistance on the radios and the officers can respond to the calls.

Most full-time officers are assigned a patrol car. The officer’s car is a vital piece of law enforcement equipment. When going to follow up on a call or checking out suspicious activity, the officer will put all of his or her equipment in the car.

The law enforcement equipment police officers use has to be of high quality and performance. Departments usually buy the equipment from trusted merchants. Once assigned to the officer, no one else is supposed to use the equipment.