Police officers are tasked with peacekeeping and street patrolling. To combat crime, law enforcement agencies equip their officers with modern equipment. An excellent example of this is police tactical gear.
Tactical gear is used by police officers for various operations such as tactical training, handling dangerous situations, and hostage rescue drills. These police accessories come in different shapes and sizes. In this article, we’ll discuss what tac gear looks like as well as its uses.
Why are Police Tactical Gears Important?
Survival is crucial to human preservation, and that is why it is taken seriously. Over the years, tactical gears have undergone various evolution and modifications. These have made them fit for modern survival needs and fashion trends.
The Government handles providing basic accessories for recruited policemen. In Los Angeles, every la police gear comes on the recommendation. A lot of police officers like to equip themselves with tactical gear, especially if they deploy to a high-risk environment.
Tactical gear ensures not only the safety of the officers but the safety of everybody. Having tac gear also gives the officers the needed confidence boost to handle difficult situations.
The utility vest for instance is an item contained in tactical gear. The vest is necessary during practice because it shields the wearer from any accidental harm.
The police winter jacket is another essential tac gear. This keeps the officer safe and dry especially during a stake-out in winter.
It’s important to note that most law enforcement agencies use specific equipment and accessories. These equipment are tailored to their specific needs.
5 Accessories Used by Police Officers
During a tactical operation, officers wear a variety of equipment, including body armor. They also wear ballistic vests, helmets, gas masks, communication devices, and tactical weapons.
These police gears help officers in many ways. It makes their operations and movements safer. It improves their situational awareness and increases their effectiveness. Listed below are some accessories used by police officers.
1. Tactical vests
A tactical vest is a lightweight vest manufactured to stop bullets from penetrating the wearer even when fired at with a high-powered rifle. Tactical vests are one of the most important items of police tac gear. It is designed for tactical operations and worn by officers during drills and real-life situations.
These vests come in different sizes to ensure proper fit on the body. They are made up of heavy-duty materials that give them durability. The sleeves of these vests have Velcro closures which makes them easier to put on and take off.
Tactical vests come with many pockets to keep things like writing utensils, pepper spray, flashlights, etc. These vests are predominantly black. It is designed to conceal the officers’ body movements while providing full protection. This is an essential item contained in every law enforcement gear.
2. Backpacks
Backpacks are used to transport necessary equipment, like notebooks and communication devices, during tactical operations. Backpacks come in a large variety of colors and designs. These backpacks are usually medium-sized and padded to provide extra comfort.
They’re made up of strong materials and have many compartments, which help officers keep their things organized. A lot of these backpacks also come with water bottles. It provides extra protection against extreme weather conditions, making them perfect for tactical operations.
3. Handcuffs
These cuffs are used for restraining someone who is being arrested. They are usually made up of metal, and come in different sizes. During tactical operations, it is used to restrain someone who is suspected of committing a crime.
Handcuffs are not meant for everyday use. They should be used with utmost care and responsibility. It is usually light in weight and should be handled with care so that they don’t get damaged or broken.
4. Night Vision Goggles (NVD)
Goggles are used during tactical operations to enhance the field vision of the officers. NVDs are small and lightweight and come in various colors and designs.
It is powered by rechargeable batteries and has a waterproof casing to protect it from dust and moisture. These goggles are lightweight and fold, making them easy to carry and store anywhere. It comes with wide lenses to provide a clear and wide field of vision. They also have a night vision mode to help officers see in the dark.
These goggles are available at different prices, depending on their features and quality. They are also available with a built-in microphone, for communication purposes.
5. Stun Guns and Batons
Police officers and other law enforcement make use of stun guns to incapacitate dangerous suspects, like drug dealers and criminals. These are small rods that contain electrodes. When touched to the skin, they send an electric current through the body, incapacitating the person.
Usually, police officers are provided with a variety of stun guns. This usually depends on their operational requirements.
These guns come with different charging options, making it possible to charge them even in the field. A stun gun is light in weight and easy to carry, making it convenient to use in real-life situations.
The baton is a police accessory that is used to tackle dangerous situations. It is a lightweight and strong metal rod, which is easy to handle and control.
Other Equipment and Accessories
Other items that can be used by police officers during tactical operations include but are not limited to –
- rubber gloves
- face masks
- protective shields
- Double pistol mag pouch
- Desert boot
- Combat shirt
- Trauma kit
- Knee pads
- Chest pack attachment
- Operator belt
Rubber gloves are worn during tactical drills to prevent injuries in dangerous situations.
Face masks are made use of during search operations to prevent dust and dirt from entering their eyes. It also protects their faces from harmful gasses like tear gas.
Uses of Police Tactical Gear
Officers use their tactical gear to perform a range of operations including tactical training. They also handle dangerous situations, hostage rescue drills, and much more.
Tactical training is used to prepare officers for high-risk operations such as hostage situations and active shooter incidents.
During a tactical training drill, officers are often taken to a mock scenario. In the mock scenario, they are required to carry out a certain scenario within a certain time.
This is how they are trained to handle dangerous situations with reduced risks.
Other operations that can be performed using police tactical gear include search and rescue operations, crowd control, searching for missing persons and evidence collection, etc.
Conclusion
Police tactical gear helps officers perform their job better. It is designed to withstand extreme conditions. It can keep officers safe from harm while making their operations easier.
During tactical operations, officers need to be prepared for dangerous situations. They need to have the right tactical gear for successful operations. So, if you want to succeed in this line of work, you should start equipping yourself with the best police gear.
