Police Officer Preparation & Law Enforcement Resource - Archive

Hey all,
I just passed my interview with the cadet program and the academy is set to begin in late December. I know a couple cadets from the program and they have purchased the majority of their duty gear. If the department has any equipment available they'll disburse it, but it is rather dilapidated. So, I was wondering if your department makes you buy all of your gear or do they provide you with it? And also, what are the must have items for patrol? (Keep in mind we patrol on our own with senior cadets)

Thanks.

P.S. Don't make this another explorer equipment debate.

My department provided me with most of the essentials (minus footware and flashlight).

We don't "patrol" anything really.

But we do have two bags with a maglight, handcuffs, raincoat, traffic vest, and a traffic wand that we check out when we do ride alongs.

When I'm just working an event I just carry a mini-maglite I got at Walmart.

Our department makes us buy all of our own equipment. I bought a nylon duty belt, with a radio holder, cuff case (for my job as a security officer), flashlight holder, maglight holder, key silencer.

I will be getting a OC Holder (security job), Baton holder (security job).

I have no problem buying all of this because it is essential for me to do my job, but I am also going to be applying for agencies soon so......My situation is a little bit different then just buying them for explorers.

We have to buy everything ourselves...the only thing we were provided with were our nameplates upon completion of our explorer academy.

We have to buy everything. I like it that way though because some issued things can be pretty crappy.

I am a cadet, once you have completed your two (2) years in your assignment you are then eligible to be hired as a police officer ( at the chief's discretion). My department will issue out items such as a flashlight, firearm with holster, set of peerless cufs, deatil vest, hat, and a few holsters for the magazines and oc. Everything else we have to buy on our own.

But we do have two bags with a maglight, handcuffs, raincoat, traffic vest, and a traffic wand that we check out when we do ride alongs.



That's a good idea.