Opinions on Equpment

[johnclark1102]

Did a quick search and didn't find anything so here goes.

I think it's time for a break from the usual "I did this stupid thing but its not my fault and I want to blame the police" type of threads I see so much of in this section.

Instead, I would like to get some opinions from some of you guys about some things most people consider irrelevant. Obviously we all have our own opinions and our own reasons for them largely based on our experiences, but I'm always interested in hearing what officers have to say.

I'm not looking for reviews on specific products, I know there are forum sections for that. I'm more interested in general things that most people don't give a passing thought to.

For example, another community I'm a part of has a few healthy debates going on right now about the following topics:

Emergency Lights: Do you prefer all blue, blue / red, or all red?

Ram Bars: Do you prefer no bars, the "regular" style, or the full wrap around style?

Dash cams: Do you prefer a car with or without a dash cam?

Hopefully you all will enjoy a break from the typical slew of Ask-A-Cop questions and enjoy those 3 questions.

*disclaimer - I posted this here because I'm interested in hearing the opinions of verified LEO's not "John Q Public I listen to a scanner all day and think I know more than the District Attorney and Chief of Police combined". If the thread needs to be moved to the general discussion forum or something I apologize for posting it in the wrong place.*

[johnclark1102]

HHmm... It posted twice and it doesn't seem to want me to delete this thread... Moderators, can you delete this one please and thank you.

[Joeyd6]

Emergency Lights: Do you prefer all blue, blue / red, or all red?

Nothing to debate...studies show blue at night has more visibility. A mix is fine.

Ram Bars: Do you prefer no bars, the "regular" style, or the full wrap around style?

Depends on agency policy. If you can't use them, why bother?

Dash cams: Do you prefer a car with or without a dash cam?

I coudl care less. We have no REP at work anyways. The public is allowed to film and records us, as is the media. I might as well have a copy for me too. I will say I, used a tape recorder on all car stops.....something the NYPD has no policy on. I had one idiot lie in court.....I played the tape and proved her wrong...she lost the ticket. She then approached me after traffic court and let me know just how sorry I would be....she edned up filing a complaint with the NY City CCRB. Guess she was too dumb to think I would not records he again....as the second tape.....charges dismissed. I then filed a slander lawsuit against her in small claims court for making a false report and slandering me, and now resulting in me having a case on my file from CCRB. We never had a trial date....she hired a lawyer who contacted the city. Everyone knew I had her by the _________, but the "job" and city attorney's got involved. Ultimately the complaint was completely removed from my record and she had to write a nice apology to me.

Record me all day.....you may not like what I say or do, but nothing will be illegal.

[G35 Mass]

Lights: A mix, as different colors are better in different conditions.

Push-bumper: Eih, whatever. We can't PIT here.

Cruiser cam: I wish I had one. It'd make my life a lot easier.

[Officer20]

Lights: I prefer red and blue.

Push-bumper: My agency doesn't spend money for them, but I like the looks of them on a car. I hear they can be useful too ;)

Dash cam: I'm split on this one. We don't have them, and that's ok with me.

[Gutwrench]

1. California requires a solid red light to the front. Otherwise I don't care.
2. For us the push bars basically went out with the intro of air bags.

Edit: I just realized I forgot to answer #3. I like things simple. In my car just give me a radio, shotgun and my duty bag.

[flaleo]

Nothing to debate...studies show blue at night has more visibility. A mix is fine.


Depends on agency policy. If you can't use them, why bother?


I coudl care less. We have no REP at work anyways. The public is allowed to film and records us, as is the media. I might as well have a copy for me too. I will say I, used a tape recorder on all car stops.....something the NYPD has no policy on. I had one idiot lie in court.....I played the tape and proved her wrong...she lost the ticket. She then approached me after traffic court and let me know just how sorry I would be....she edned up filing a complaint with the NY City CCRB. Guess she was too dumb to think I would not records he again....as the second tape.....charges dismissed. I then filed a slander lawsuit against her in small claims court for making a false report and slandering me, and now resulting in me having a case on my file from CCRB. We never had a trial date....she hired a lawyer who contacted the city. Everyone knew I had her by the _________, but the "job" and city attorney's got involved. Ultimately the complaint was completely removed from my record and she had to write a nice apology to me.

Record me all day.....you may not like what I say or do, but nothing will be illegal.

Amen to that sir!!

Lights...never really thought about it lol.

Push bar...actually would like one to push vehicles out of the roadway who are disabled and unable to move.

As far as a recording device like a camera. I would definately want one in my vehicle. As Joey advised the area above I bolded, I would never say anything that would be illegal either. People try their hardest at times to get me/us angry and it doesn't work with me. I don't take this job personal...it's business. I have had complaints, as we all do, and it always amazes me how people will lie through their teeth about what truly happened. I guess people think if they complain, they will get their speeding ticket thrown away or something I don't know. Luckily, they have all been unfounded but it still goes in my personel file which really stinks. Even though you did nothing wrong, you still show someone complained. For this reason I wish I had a video setup in my cvp. My Sgt. always says, if you don't have complaints, your not doing work. It still stinks having these unfounded complaints in your file. I guess in the end, they can tell if they are legit or not because we spend more time with our fellow officer's then with our own family at times and they know us all pretty good!

I kind of went off on a tangit a bit.....lol

[mcsap]

We don't get to pick the color of our lightbars.

We don't get to choose whether or not we can have push bars.

We don't get to pick on whether or not we have a dash cam. ( I didn't mind them though)

So regardless of what we like or don''t like , we have no say in how our cars are equipped.

[Joeyd6]

My Sgt. always says, if you don't have complaints, your not doing work.

I agree with that! I don't mind legitimate complaints....aks he used profanity...he took my property.....he was rude.....he woudl not let me do this or etc.... I do stuff my way for my safety and I know very well why I am doing it, but the perp/party stopped may not and could percieve such as being an issue. Its when they falt out lie I get pissed and refused to let that follow me on the record, even if unfounded.