How do foot patrol officers cope with heat during summer shifts

[cashrulez]

As I mentioned before, I want to join NYPD. I moved to NYC in August, and some of the days were hot and real humid making it hard to breathe if I spent some time outside. I have mild asthma so maybe it had something to do with it, but I rarely have any flareups otherwise. I suppose I wasn't used to the climate as well. Do officers have to always stay under the sun the whole shift? If yes, then how do they cope? It's kinda hard to imagine that they constantly stand/walk for 10-12 hrs under these conditions without major breaks. I am asking this, since as far as I understand most likely a rookie will be on foot patrol rather than in a vehicle. Summer is what bothers me, don't care for winter cold. (I'm Russian lol)

Thank you.

[Gutwrench]

I defer to others because I worked in a pretty static climate. But I posted to say I thought your comment about being indifferent about winter because you're Russian was humorous. I've been in way northern China during winter and could only imagine what it's like farther north. Thanks for the grin. Good luck.

[cashrulez]

Yea, I am from Moscow so sometimes it got a little cold (-20 Fahrenheit), but it was still way warmer than some cities in Siberia, where people have -75 Fahrenheit. In the summer it was 110 degrees of heat though. Pretty big jumps and drops throughout the year, no wonder Russians are crazy lol

[icu650]

Shade, water and a nice long hello inside an air conditioned seven eleven. If you stayed to long (more than 10 minutes) the bosses would be on your butt from their air conditioned cars.

[Jim1348]

Although is have never been assigned to foot patrol, I have been on water patrol and during that I was outside for hours at a time when it can be oppressively hot. Several things come to mind at the moment:

-Hydrate

-Sunscreen

-Cap

-Sunglasses


And, of course, get out of the heat as often as you can!

[G35 Mass]

First, I doubt a beat cop on foot patrol is in the sun for 10 to 12 hours at a time with no break. It may happen from time to time during incidents, but I don't think that's the usual for many cops.

I've done some foot patrols in excess of four hours straight with no break, and I found that it was best to just know where the shade is and use it to your benefit as best as possible. I personally noticed that the heat had more of an impact on me if I was regularly going into air conditioned environment, then going back out into the heat. The same goes for the winter. The back and forth made the heat seem even worse.

Hydration is a must all year 'round. I lose a lot of water even in the winter when sweating under the vest. Any of the moisture / heat wicking shirts (Coolmax, UnderArmour, 5.11, etc.) will be a big help as any little breeze seems to be magnified. Depending on what your agency allows, Blauer's Supershirts have mesh on the sides up through the armpits that lead to a little better ventilation. I also cut the tails off of my vest. I found they drastically limited ventilation under the vest, and especially if you're on foot patrol you're not going to have too big an issue with the vest riding up if you cut them off.

I agree that winters are more bearable, because we can always layer up but there's only so much we can take off during the summer without 1) being out of specified uniform or 2) having to register as a sex offender .

[ET109]

Shade, hydration, the main points have already been mentioned. 7-11s, hotel lobbies or similar places for a break from the heat (or rain!). I had to do it in a regular blue cotton uniform for awhile... and a hot hat. Just gotta deal with it. Being in shape is a big plus, the guys with too much weight really seemed to suffer.

[mcsap]

If you have asthma to the point that it can or will cause you problems as a police officer , then you probably won't ever get hired as a police officer.

[cashrulez]

Thanks everyone, really helpful suggestions here.

[Joeyd6]

I did 10 hours on foot in the NYPD...outdoors the whole time. You get one lunch break. The rest in on you to do your job. You are getting paid to be visible and answer calls, not take breaks. We walked from the station to our posts or sometimes took a bus....and walked/stood all shift. Can you stop in air conditioned stores and buildings and do a walk/talk to learn your beat...YES! Can you sit in a restaurant to eat your meal.....yes. Can you stand in the shaed..yes.

But if you asthma so bad you can't breather, you have a medical issue that may DQ you. Lose some weight and see a doctor for some long term meds that control such.

[scott715us]

UnderArmour heat gear shirts are great along with what everyone else has suggested.