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There are so many products options today in the law enforcement industry for an officer to choose from that it's mind boggling. Rough estimations say there are over 500,000 actual product sku's of options from over a few hundred different manufacturers and suppliers. How does an officer or department choose or navigate through such a wide array of offerings for it's Police Gear and clothing options? There is no correct answer but each piece of gear can be equally important depending on the situation in the field. Choosing the right gear for each department varies from department to department and takes a well researched and often includes a product trial test period. The core items include uniforms, body armor and firearms but all the other items can be of equal importance which include holsters, police boots and shoes, handcuffs, pepper spray, batons, knives, rescue tools and so on. Some of the premier brands of police gear which have gained loyal followings for decades or more include Benchmade knives, Smith & Wesson handcuffs, Blackhawk, 5.11 Tactical, INTAPOL motorcycle breeches and boots, GH Armor Systems, Armor Express, Under Armour, Tru-Spec, Peerless handcuffs, ASP batons, Damascus gloves, Hatch protective gloves, Smith & Warren police badges, Maxpedition gear bags and many more. There are many places to purchase these top brands but there are only a handful of stocking dealers that offer the most competitive prices. This is extremely important for two reasons; the reality that many federal, state and local budgets are shrinking and the ability for a supplier to deliver the products they offer in a timely manner. One supplier includes Police Equipment Depot based out of New Jersey. The company's low overhead allows it to offer the best many of the top police gear brands at the lowest cost. In addition the company has many of the most popular items on hand for immediate shipment. Besides firearms, police body armor can be looked at as one of the more expensive police gear items an officer wears. Due to the latest update to the NIJ standards, many department and agencies are upgrading their entire force with body armor that meets NIJ 06 requirements. Although slightly heavier and also more expensive than the previous NIJ 05 interim standard, the increased protection gives officers in the field extra security to know they are wearing the latest protection available. This upgrade throughout the community will cost billions of dollars. Regardless of the improved standard, body armor must be replaced every 5 years as warranties expire making this a constantly purchased item where as other items can last for longer depending on the wear and tear. Handcuffs, knives, pepper spray and batons are other important items that almost all officers carry. Lighter weight and stronger materials have been utilized for these items to make them more effective and easier to carry in the field. Pepper spray improvements such as canister spray distance and chemical leakage prevention are also important in the updating that has gone on in this specific item. All of these items are crucial for the on the beat patrol officer especially when criminal situations arise. Training is also necessary to provide proper use and to also actively utilize these less than lethal methods rather than their firearms. Other police gear that has become increasingly innovative is the duty gear, bags and pouches that hold and store the items. Lighter weight belt materials such as synthetics that also have the ability to disinfect blood borne pathogens is another update to the traditional leather gear officers have worn for over a century. Proper fit, security, and ease of access are also concerns each manufacturer is faced with. Brands such as Bianchi, Patrol Tek, Uncle Mike's, Galco and Safariland are all premier makers of such items. These manufacturers are all time tested product companies with large penetration and trust within the law enfocement community. To stay on top of all of the above latest innovations, the law enforcement community must keep up with their favorite manufacturers product offerings by visiting trade shows such as IACP annually, visit manufacturers websites, stay informed with other federal and municipal departments, and read product press releases in police journals like Law & Order and police forums, as well as build relationships with several supplier and vendors. This is not an easy task for every police officer to stay updated so it is imperative for a designated person or team within a department to take on this task besides just a chief or captain. Find GH Armor and Police Gear related information at Policeequipmentdepot.com
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