Law Enforcement Products

There are so many different types of items that you can categorize as law enforcement products that it’s hard to know exactly where to begin. Once you get past the different types weaponry --- i.e., handguns, shotguns, and high-powered rifles --- there are a number of items that fall into the mix.

Surprisingly, one of the many internet sites that actually sells law enforcement products has them broken down into 20 different categories from ATV’s and Accessories to Weapon accessories and maintenance. So it is an extensive scenario. For simplification purposes, the categories could probably be simplified into the following 5 groups:

• Apparel, Body Armor, and Duty Gear
• Communication Devices and Radios
• Firearms, Weaponry, and Misc. Accessories
• Tactical and Technology
• Vehicle and Vehicle Equipment

Then you have to take the different sub-groupings of law enforcement products into consideration and the crossovers that occur between categories.

As an example, under the category of Tactical and Technology, there is the sub-category of Knives which actually belong under the Firearms, Weaponry, and Misc, Accessories. So to is the case with Tactical Apparel, Tactical Armor, Tactical Eyewear, and Tactical Footwear. This would fall under the Apparel, Body Armor, and Duty Gear category. So as you can see, it is hard to delineate without some confusion.

The American policeman today carries roughly 20 lbs. of law enforcement products or equipment. In many cases, this oftentimes results in health issues such as chronic back problems. In order to transfer some of this weight from the belt to the shoulders which reduces the amount of weight concentrated at the waist, policemen will sometimes wear suspenders to help reduce stress on the lower back.

Additionally, some officers are wearing a type of harness which goes over their vest (referred to as a “stab-proof” vest). This enables the officer to avoid reaching around the back to get equipment off of their police duty belt. Though it is not recommended because of the need for reaching a piece of equipment quickly, some officers have reverted to storing their equipment in pockets of their coats or trousers. It is considered an unsafe practice, especially as they are sometimes confronted with life-threatening situations.

The police duty belt is a main focal point when it comes to law enforcement products and/or equipment as many police implements are carried there. These belts have been designed to carry some of their equipment in a readily-accessible manner, thus leaving the hands free for interaction. The basic equipment that an officer carries on their police duty belt includes the holster and firearm, radio, handcuffs, chemical sprays, flashlight, baton, magazine pouch, disposable gloves, keys, knife, and even a first-aid kit. So it’s no small wonder that the excess weight builds up the way it does.

Typically, law enforcement products are usually black in color with one small exception. The police duty belt will be either in black or brown depending on the color of the officer’s uniform. Occasionally there is some variation, but black is the most common color used.