I'll show off some of my duty gear for now. Don't feel like opening my gun safe.
The vest is a Safe Life Defense Tactical Uniform Carrier. I've got the IIIA+ Multi-Threat soft armor panels front and rear, mostly because I had to balance out the most likely threat (shanks and similar improvised weapons) with the small albeit not impossible scenario that I might end up on the wrong end of a firearm. I also got the "Tactical Side Straps" (shown in the second photo) which basically replace the stock cummerbund straps with larger adjustable ones that have low-profile pouches for 5x7" IIIA+ armor panels. They aren't nearly as obtrusive as I thought they'd be and they do a great job of covering the "air gap" at the ribs/obliques which many vests have. This is, incidentally, a spot that often gets targeted in stabbings.
As for what's on the vest going from left to right, I've got:
- ASP Ultra Plus Chain Identifier handcuffs sitting inside an ASP Exo-D case. Easily the best cuffs and case on the market if you ask me. I was only introduced to them recently during training and immediately fell in love with them... but that's neither here nor there. They have my name engraved on them so that one of the Deputies/city cops doesn't try to steal them from Booking if that says anything.
- Mechanix Pursuit D5 work gloves. They are rated at the maximum level of cut resistance and are also touch-screen compatible and can be thrown in a washing machine. I typically put them on for high-risk searches (of inmates or blocks) to prevent getting my fingers sliced open by something nasty... or if I strongly suspect I'm about to be involved in a use-of-force.
- Pouch for my flashlight (Olight Warrior 3S, see below).
- Condor zipper pouch which I've repurposed as a medical kit. Inside I have: a CPR mask w/ valves, two doses of naloxone (i.e. Narcan), two tourniquets, and some QuickClot gauze.
Not shown on the vest is the Velcro name tape... for obvious reasons. After I'm issued my Taser I'll be adding that to the vest and moving some stuff around.
This is the Vismix Tactical Belt I was issued by my agency. It's fine for what it is. In addition to a shit-ton of belt keepers, going in a clockwise direction with the buckle being 12:00, I've got:
- 2:30 - Sabre Red Crossfire OC Spray (Stream, MK-3 1.5 oz)
- 4:30 - Motorola Radio w/ Shoulder Mic
- 7:00 - Zipper Pouch filled w/ Nitrile Gloves
- 9:30 - Peerless Chain Handcuffs
- 10:00 - Keyring
I used to have
all the shit that's currently on my vest on my belt... it sucked. Right now my intent is to try and shift as much weight/bulk off the belt and to the vest while keeping the load on both somewhat balanced in regards to left/right. My back is already fucked up from my old job, lol.
Also, as an aside, pictured above my belt are a few accessories. Top to bottom:
- Atomic Bear Stealth Pen Pro. It's my primary writing utensil at work, but like all tactical pens it's also able to be used as an improvised weapon, too. It's made of solid polymer and is surprisingly hefty and ergonomic in the hand. The tip has nasty little teeth which could certainly break skin. The idea is primarily to amplify the effect of a hammerfist, but you could also use it for raking motions and the like. It's like a kubaton, but actually useful. The way I see it, I need a pen pretty much every hour of every workday... so why not carry one that could also be used as a last-ditch albeit unassuming "get the fuck off of me" tool? For obvious reasons, it stays in a semi-hidden pouch on my left uniform shirt sleeve and doesn't get handed to anyone even temporarily. I carry shitty basic pens to give to other people for paperwork.
- Handcuff key, likewise carried in the hidden shirt sleeve.
- The aforementioned Olight. I was issued a plastic Streamlight flashlight when I started. It was okay... but the Olight a whole different animal. It's made of aircraft aluminum and is super sturdy in the hand with a crenelated bezel, so again it could be used as an impact weapon in a pinch. It's got a maximum throw of 2,300 lumens and is just insanely blinding bright, but is easy to switch to other lower-output modes on the fly as needed. Plus, best of all, it charges via a magnetic USB cable so no replacing batteries.
