What to carry on patrol

[deputytx1979]

Hello,
This may sound like an odd question but it is one that has presented it self to me recently.
For the past few years I have been Deputy Constable in a large metro area. For the most part answering calls was not part of my duties. Now I have taken a job as a Deputy Sheriff in a rural area. The department is small and the deputy has to provide most of his equipment.
My question is this, what do you carry on a day to day basis to get you though the day?
I don't mean firearms, extra ammo or body armor. I'm talking about little things like paper towels, asprin, etc.
I have a small list of things that I could see myself needing but I would like some advise in the area.
Here's what I've got so far:
Blanket
Band-aids, anti biotic cream, asprin and baby whipes
Extra windbreaker
Extra flashlight (In addition to a Stinger and a XL-20)
Gas can (2 gal)
Extra pair of handcuff
Pair of leg cuffs
Hobble restraint (Department approved)
Road flares

Any other ideas?
Thanks in advance.

[txinvestigator1]

any reference books you can think of
surgical gloves
one way CPR mask
garbage bags
paper sacks for evidence collection
fire extinguisher
flex cuffs
rain gear
antiacids (if you are prone to heart burn)

Do you wear contacts? If so a lens case and saline and either a pair of glasses or extra pair of lenses

Do you carry OC? If so a decontamination source.

let me think a while, I will get more ideas

[Stump]

Safety pins
Tape
Ziploc bags
extra pair of socks

[Scruit]

I'm not an LEO so some of this is probably stupid, but in cases where I've assistend the polcie at accident scenes I've found the following to have been useful, or sorely missed.

- The local county deputy who dealt with my break-in carried a camera and a fingerprinting kit. He was just a regular deputy, not any specific Crime Scene officer.

- How about a bike chain and padlock so you don't have to carry the arestee's bicycle back to the post in the back of your cruiser... ;-)

- Bottle jack and one of those 4-way lug wrenches for different size lug nuts so you can change some 70-yo lady's tire rather than making her get a tow.

- TONS of 30min flares

- Space blankets to cover accident victims who would benfit from your help, plus a tarp or black plastic sheet to cover those who wouldn't (even if it's just a deer - you don't want kids staring at a mangled deer while they're waiting for the tow truck.)

- shovel, for collecting or moving things you'd rather not touch

- Air freshener for your car for those times when transporting the more odiferous clientele...

And finally;

- A Ford Excursion to carry it all in... :D

[Oldbillplod]

How about a handbag because my wife carries everything in hers.

[Stump]

I always refer to the guys' duffel bags with all their cop stuff in it as their "purse". They get so pissed off.. LOL...
I always say that men should just give in and buy purses! I see men carrying briefcases, backpacks, fanny packs... that is no different than a woman with a purse.

[txinvestigator1]

Hey Deputy,

Don't you just love all of us non-cops jumping in and giving you advice?

We just cant help ourselves!

[Jynkxxie]

Yet another veiled comment that makes me chuckle...LMAO

[txinvestigator1]

Nothing veiled here......I was guilty first. dohhh!!

[Jynkxxie]

Well I laugh regardless...

[Stump]

I point out my suggestions because they are things I have been asked for, had to go get, or heard the cop bi*ch that he doesn't have.
Excuse the hell out of me for trying to help someone.

[Jynkxxie]

No Apologies Needed Stump, I am just F'ng around with Mr. Tx...I don't get to do that too often.

[deputytx1979]

Well thanks for all the in sight from both cop and non-cop sorces.

[mcsap]

I know it was mentioned but the smallest and yet one of the most important non issue item I carry is a pair of latex gloves. Actually, we have them for fingerprinting so I just attain a pair AND I carry them on a little pouch on my belt. They have come in VERY handy during crash scenes and ambulance calls.

Had to force entry into a house the other day , turned out to be a 5 day old DOA. Needed the gloves and in this case a little Noxema under each nostril helps with the odor. That smell is very unique ( and bad).

[txinvestigator1]

Stump,

My comment was not at you either, I just looked at the thread and noticed that all of us who replied were not cops. I thought it was an amusing observation.

As I wrote, we just can't help ourselves in our desires to be helpful. :p