Petite female gear

[TryingtogetCPD]

Ok so I just got a conditional job offer from Elgin IL P.D. (I should be starting the academy on April 12th). I AM SO STOKED!!!! All excitement aside though, I have some concerns about what I'll have room to carry on my duty belt. I'm 5'5 and about 120 lbs. My waist is about 26 inches total. After my gun is secured, where the hell am I going to put handcuffs, spray, clips, pager, cell, asp, etc etc. I want to be prepared, but is there anyone out there who has any suggestions on gear I can find suitable for me? Should I be looking in a Gall's mag?:huh?:

[opd124]

Can put the 2nd set of cuffs in a back pocket. It will wear the pockets out quicker but it does free up some room. If your duty belt has Velcro on the inside this helps, however I would still recommend that you wear a keeper or two. They are a little extra protection to hold your holster where it belongs. My current department has a very petite officer and she manages. You won’t have much extra though.

[Spears]

The cell phone and pager don't need to go on the belt. The cell phone can stay in the car, and the pager can go on the shoulder.

[CalDep]

Get a double cuff pouch, and keep the cell phone and pager in the car. The phone and pager will be nothing more than a distraction. If you are in a situation where you are creeping up on someone or something, the last thing you need is some phone or pager making a bunch of noise or vibrating. The distraction of a phone or pager could take your mind off what you are doing, and could compromise your safety.

Good Luck!!

CalDep

[TryingtogetCPD]

Great advice everyone, thanks so much!

[AuxiliaryCop79]

Congratulations! Elgin is a good department. Like everyone else said keep the phone and pager off your rig, you don’t need the distraction. I personally don’t like the double cuff cases, they seem too bulky. I wear my second pair of cuffs in the front between my gun and mags on a handcuff strap, it takes up much less space than another cuff case. Another way to save some space is to forget about a latex glove pouch and keep them in your pocket, but no matter how you carry them, do carry them! Forget about key holders and all that other junk you don’t need. Just like the cell phone/pager you don’t need a subject hearing your keys giggling as you’re trying to sneak up on them. As far as a holster, you may want to consider one that is a low ride instead of a mid/high ride; most female officers find the low ride more comfortable. Finally, it may take you a while to figure out the most comfortable gear placement on your belt, but once you find it, keep it the way it is. You want to be sure you can quickly reach for equipment when you need it; this is hard to do if you keep changing your gear around. Make sure you keep at least one pair of cuffs towards the front of your belt, and keep gear away from the small of your back.

Good Luck!