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View Full Version : Do you have to pay for your equipment?


bulletproof
01-22-2005, 02:18
Hello!

I am a police officer from germany and i just want to know, if it is true, that some police officers of some police departments in the us do have to pay for their eqiupment.

How is the situation? Do all police officers of all us police departments have to buy their equipment on their own, or does it depend from department to department?

Here in germany, you get the whole equipment (firearms,belts,holsters,uniforms,etc.) from your police department. O.k., some parts we are equipped with are not the best (flashlights f.e.) If you want to have good one (surefire, f.e.) you have to buy this one on your own.
I work in the police department of the city of berlin, and we do use the SigSauer P6 (225). Many police officers here in germany do use this weapon. In germany you have to use the firearm given from the police department. There is no possiblity to change it, or to buy another on your own.

In germany it is very hard to get a license to own a firearm. But it still is much more harder (nearly impossible for private people) to get a license to carry a firearm in the public. It surely can be discussed if this is positive or negative, because this is much different to you, folks.
One consequence is, that there had not been plenty of shootouts by criminals in the public since the last 15-20 years. In the last few years it can be seen, that it becomes more and more standard to use firearms for criminal activities. Since the breakdown of the former state of the UDSSR, more an more weapons from the UDSSR came to germany on dark ways.

F.e. :
In the silvester night this year, a 36 year old police officer was tried beeing killed, while sitting in his car. He was on patrol with another officer (police officers in germany always work in pairs and do not patrol alone) as their car had to stop on a red traffic light. Suddenly, a bullet hit the glass of the car and hit the driver behind the ear. His luck was, that the shooting-angle was so fortunate for him, that the bullet slided along the bone, and left the head on the backside without hitting the brain. There had been no contact between the criminal and the police officers before.

One day later, the police arrested a 42 year old man of the former state of Yugoslavia for shooting on the officer. He said, that he just shooted for fun, and did not even see the police car! :mad: :mad:

I am looking forward to hear from you!

greetings from germany

Günther

Time Traveller
01-22-2005, 09:46
It varies from Department to department. In the realm of Federal Law Enforcment the base equipment is provided, if you wish to change holsters or weapons you would have to purchase those on your own, and ensure that whatever weapon you choose is approved by the department.

I can only write to the Federal side of things...State and local police departments differ.

I am sure someone will be able to speak to that.

I am sorry to hear that crime utilizing firearms is increasing. It is sad when you hear that someone just "shot for fun" and that shooting ends up injuring someone else.

Anyway, welcome to the Board....

jts
01-22-2005, 10:25
bulletproof
TT is right in general. However, although most agencies on the Federal side provide what most would consider the 'base equipment" in some cases it may as well not be provided at all. In my agency, it's not uncommon for agents/and/or staff members to purchase items for us that have never done our job. And to add insult to injury, the same people that buy these items pay too much for them. My thinking is that the people that decide what type of gear, weapons, clothing, etc. that we are issued spend too much time reading posts from armchair commandos and mall ninjas on the internet. Of course the problem perpetuates itself since many agents have never carried or shot a gun and know absolutely nothing about these types of things.

I once had to go somwhere OCONUS and requested something other than the impotent SMG we carry for domestic duties due to the nature of my AO but was told by the mall ninjas in HQ that the SMG was more than capable of taking long distance shots (I'm talking over 200 yards). To actually think an SMG is effective at over 200 yards is pure incompetence. I had a buddy recently email me from SWA asking me where he could buy level III or IV plates. I asked him why he didn't like the ones our agency issued him and he told me that they sent him the carrier, soft armor, but no plates. I won't even get into the armored car issue. I could go on and on and IMO the incompetence should warrant a Congressional investigation into fraud, waste and abuse but I'll stop here.

Alexander
01-22-2005, 14:35
In NYPD, we pay for everything imaginable. The only things provided free of charge is your duty weapon (which is payed for by the state, not the city), your shield, your cap device, vest (also state paid I believe), and the riot/motorcycle helmet. Everything else comes out of our pocket. We are given a yearly uniform allowance of $1000 which turns into $570 after taxes. I spent over $3,000 in 2004 for uniforms, class A dress uniform, off duty weapon, boots, and other miscellanious(sp) things.

Al

DallasTX
01-23-2005, 01:42
In NYPD, we pay for everything imaginable. The only things provided free of charge is your duty weapon (which is payed for by the state, not the city), your shield, your cap device, vest (also state paid I believe), and the riot/motorcycle helmet. Everything else comes out of our pocket. We are given a yearly uniform allowance of $1000 which turns into $570 after taxes. I spent over $3,000 in 2004 for uniforms, class A dress uniform, off duty weapon, boots, and other miscellanious(sp) things.

Al

That really blows dude. ;) Sorry to hear that.

Spears
01-23-2005, 12:57
I had to pay for my academy clothing, but everything else was issued. Anything that I wanted in a better model (flashlight, handcuffs, etc) was purchased by me.

NorthTechsan
01-23-2005, 13:12
My Dept. provides us with evreything but boots, and a backup weapon. If we want something besides the standard issue its out of our pocket.

VAPD3360
01-23-2005, 21:32
My agency issues everything excluding boots, and uniforms; but does offer a whole $250 (give or take) a year allowance.

Badge11
01-23-2005, 23:27
We get everything but flashlight and gloves. We also get free dry-cleaning and a pair of boots once a year, which is pretty nice.

irishlad
01-23-2005, 23:34
Same here with each dept. I have been with, all clothing was issued. First Dept, however I had to sign a contract...which basically covered everything I was issued, if I left before my time, I have to pay for. Second dept...got the car to take home..which helped a lot! And now, I am stuck with wearing a suit to some (blending in clothing), which I am reimbursed for:) And now it's tax time for all that too. I just feel for you guys in NYPD and what you have to pay...

Spears
01-24-2005, 11:39
Speaking of tax time:::

Save your reciepts. Write this stuff off folks!

kels
01-26-2005, 13:01
It just depends on the department.
The sheriff's office I work for now provides
the uniform, body armor and boots.
I provide the duty belt, holster, handcuffs,
asp, pepper spray and duty weapon.
The vehicle I use has a Mini 14 rifle and shotgun in it.
The AR15 I also carry is mine.

MsCoyoteKatie
01-27-2005, 10:22
We're a VERY small, financially strapped department, so all we got were our badge, vest, and our duty weapon. Everything else comes out of our pocket. Uniforms, duty gear (including all the fun stuff like batons, handcuffs, and pepper spray), boots, and (now that it's winter) jacket. This is sort of the "way things are" for really small departments in our state. Those that want the job (even if it's only part time) badly enough are willing to pay for their own equipment.

The good side is it's all tax-decutible, and you can get exactly what you want, as long as you are willing to pay for it. I've got to keep looking at the good side as my credit card bills keep going up.

Stay Safe--
Coyote

gbcop
01-27-2005, 20:52
At my department, they furnish us with creditionals, Badge, 3 uniform shirt/pants, 1 long sleeve uniform shirt, stinger flashlight and vest. Everything else is paid for by the officer.

NorthTechsan
02-06-2005, 16:53
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