A few basic questions...

[BOSS]

Hello guys, I just have a few questions that will most likely seem rather elementary to many of you. I'm currently 17 and in 11th grade and I've been seriously considering law enforcement for awhile now; I have a close family member in the Navy who went though the SEALs training and trying to persuade me to do that so I was somewhat torn but I've all but made up my mind now and I'm pretty sure I want to end up doing something in law enforcement.

Anyway over the last year or so I've just been reading up and trying to find out what information I can that will help me down the road. My first questions is just about different police gear. I had always just assumed you wore whatever you were issued but obviously from reading things such as this board that doesn't seem to be the case. I'm just wondering as to that the freedom with different weapons and equipment is: belts, cuffs, batons, etc... Are there any restrictions (aside from the obvious leather/nylon policies) on what type of equipment and weapons can be bought and used? I also have a question about handguns, I had thought you could, to some extent, choose any type of gun -- but a friend of mine said something about having a certain amount of experience/time or a certain rank before you can do this. What is the deal with that?

I do have at least one officer in the family I know of; a relative suggested that I do a ride-along with him as he's done this with other interested family members. I have seen him around but I've never actually spoken with him, I would just like to know if there's anything special or important any of you think that I should ask him, or take notice of if I end up doing this?

Lastly, I've done tons of the mock judgement tests before, but I have a situation and I'm wondering how some of you may respond to this: What would you do if you had overhead someone bragging about a robbery they or someone else had done? -- This isn't a question on a test or anything, merely just something I overheard in class today about a girl talking about her boyfriend and I'm wondering how a cop may react if they overheard this same sitiation.

Thank you for taking the time to read though this novel! On a personal level I would just like to give a thanks to all of the officers/police here, I don't think cops get enough positive credit but I for one do appreciate the work.

All the best,
-Brian