Favorite peice of equipment

[DirtDIva13]

I have been looking through various LE catalogs and have come across many many items that appeal to me. However, not having even been through the academy yet, I am not sure what things will come in useful (aside from the required standard duty equipment). I also don't want to buy every cool gadget I see, or I will end up in the poor house!

Please share your favorite (or a useful) duty "add on". I'd really like hearing what you like about it and why you think it is good to have.

Thanks.

[CanineCop]

Leatherman or other multi-tool plier thing.

[USSS1811]

for patrol - long handcuff key that looks sort of like a pen, which you can put in your shirt pocket. no fumbling with the 10-million keys on a key-ring and that tiny little cuff key. also the 2 prior posts are very good advice. i always tried to carry the minimum possible amount of gear on my belt to save my back. to this end, i carried extra gear in or attached to my ballistic vest. ie small flashlight, clippit knife, back-up pistol.

[jaybird]

Hmm...extra handcuffs are nice.

The "tactical" handcuff key as it says on the package is a MUST.

and this may be funny, but having a good Rubber Glove pouch is a must. We deal with some slimey folks sometimes.

[DelC]

All the above, plus a pen that will write in water. Never forget the power of the pen!!

The little spring loaded vehicle window breaker would be my next choice. Very handy at accident scenes when the doors are jambed, or when the perp locks the doors and won't come out of his vehicle.

[kels]

But some of us are smart enough to get out of the rain. SNICKER

If you have your own ticket book, get one that the strap will
hold down the ticket after it is written and has the little clip in
the corner for the DL and Insurance. These work well for those of us where the wind blows from time to time.

Oh yeah, a hacksaw for removing antlers from deer. I swear to god, Wildlife and Parks wants them back. What a job............

[DelC]

Kels,

How you doing down there on car deer accidents. They're dropping like flies up here.

[kels]

Deer accidents are way down from a couple years ago.
Kansas started allowing more does to be taken and it has
slowed down the vehicle/accident rate.
HOWEVER, we are in the middle of rut and the bucks are
nuts.
I have a 4x4, 5x5 and a 5x6 racks laying on cabinet in my office
from the last two weeks accidents. I am working a car/deer about every other night.

[IL Lawman]

Hey KELS, just think of all that "free venison".
DIRTDIVA how about a GOOD pair of gloves? Not just for searching, but also for those knock down drag out brawls.
I agree with the rubber glove pouch. Just remember to have TWO pairs with you at all times.