Got all my equipment...

[BlueKnight901]

So ... in your professional opinion, when you are struggling with a suspect is it easier to get the cuffs from your strap, or from an open top cuff case?

IMO it's easier to get my cuffs out of an open top, but I would be careful what type of open top I get, due to the fact that some are too loose.

[michiganstud]

IMO it's easier to get my cuffs out of an open top, but I would be careful what type of open top I get, due to the fact that some are too loose.

Yes, but I am waiting for his response, he must have experience as an LEO if he is stating that, right?

[gringoscott]

In my non-LEO opinion, I prefer my open top cuff case. I've yet to have them fall out while running, wrestling, or taking a nap, so they're the ones for me!

P.S. Michiganstud, where'd the bike pic go? Just curious.

[michiganstud]

P.S. Michiganstud, where'd the bike pic go? Just curious.

Check Mike Romeo's avatar and you'll be clued in. :D

[SpacemanSpiff]

Question...
The department issued you all of your equipment (including gun) BEFORE you entered the academy? Sorry if i'm out of the loop, but are you yet sworn? Seems like it could be trouble to have a recruit with all of his equipment.
Is this a common practice?

Yes, I am sworn in and currently in the Academy. The only equipment that I was issued was OC, cuffs, batons and baton holders. Everything else was purchased by me and required for the academy. I was able to bypass the Illinois 72 hour waiting period for purchasing my weapon, and everything set me back about $1200.

If it helps set your mind at ease, recruits are not allowed to wear any equipment until after the academy, so it's not as if I was walking around the department with my belt on...

[Sphagnum]

Check Mike Romeo's avatar and you'll be clued in.

Ah, Mike Romeo = Superman

You = Krypontie


Makes much more sense with the Superman clue ;)

Still kinda liked the small bike thought.....:p

[ngcsubutterbar]

turn that mag pouch vertical and get rid of the glove case.

[michiganstud]

If it helps set your mind at ease, recruits are not allowed to wear any equipment until after the academy, so it's not as if I was walking around the department with my belt on...

No one is (or should be) questioning the intentions of someone going through the academy. No one here should need to put their mind at ease about you asking equipment questions or possessing the equipment while going through.




And btw..........the bike will make a comeback, trust me. Just have to tag team on mike romeo's for a bit. :D

[1-Adam-12]

So ... in your professional opinion, when you are struggling with a suspect is it easier to get the cuffs from your strap, or from an open top cuff case?

Michiganstud,

I hope you didn't take what I said in the wrong way. From my training experience, as posted I'm only a cadet, the Boston brand strap didn't work very well. I bought a Safariland strap off eBay around $5, just to try out, and it seems to be working better than before.

Now for your question:
Its my opinion from seeing deputies involved in fights and take downs, that an open cuff case works better and has better retention and doesn't get in the way as a cuff strap might. Some of our deputies and cadets (myself included) do carry the ASP Tactical handcuffs. As you may know, there aren't many cases that will adapt to the ASP cuffs.

I do carry both ASP chained and hinged handcuffs, with the hinged on the Safariland cuff strap and the chained in a Safariland Open-Top Cuff Case (the ASP cuffs do fit in these as I recently found out) and they both seem to work very well. If it happens to be raining a day that I ride, I will put the hinged in an extra Safariland Open-Top Cuff Case that I have.

Maybe I explained it well

[michiganstud]

Some of our deputies and cadets (myself included) do carry the ASP Tactical handcuffs. As you may know, there aren't many cases that will adapt to the ASP cuffs.

Thank you for the clarification. Now I guess I will ask you if the type of case you use for your ASP cuffs is this one:


http://www.copsplus.com/prodnum1498.php


If not, does anyone know if this case will fit the ASP cuffs??

[1-Adam-12]

Yes, that is the cuff case that I use. I use the hinged version of the cuff case. It is flat across the bottom instead of being rounded. It looks better in my opinion, and still fits the chained cuffs to include the hinged cuffs. :D

[StrikeEagle]

Why would that be? All of the items that an officer carries a civilian (in the US, not Canada) can own so what would be the harm in getting equipped prior to the academy? Chances are if someones immature enough to get in trouble with that gear and ruin their future career before it's even started, they're not going to get hired to begin with.

Also I'm not sure if his gun was issued to him or he had to purchase his own duty gun. But there's that possibility the firearm is his own. JMO

Upandatem, thank you for the response and the very valid points. My main point of inquiry was in regards to the gun. Where I'm from, officers are issued their weapons, and it seemed odd to me that other departments would issue the weapon before the officer received proper training with them. And also very true--hopefully a person with such lack of sense and maturity would not be hired by a department.

If it helps set your mind at ease, recruits are not allowed to wear any equipment until after the academy, so it's not as if I was walking around the department with my belt on...

Spaceman, as Michiganstud implied, you have no need to put my mind at ease here! Congratulations on your wonderful achievement and I wish you the best. My question was simply inquisitive, not at all accusatory, and I meant no disrespect. Good luck in the academy!

1Adam12 raised some more questions in my mind, but I'll start another thread. Didn't mean to hijack this thread--Sorry!

On to this thread's original intention--some officers in my department have leg holsters for their tasers. Not sure if they would work with your model, but I thought I would throw it out there as a belt space-saver.

Thanks ,
Strike

[Apollo8138]

Just out of curiosity, why do you have your mags on the same side as your weapon? FYI, officers in my department are issued the M26 model. Some have it on their belt. Others use a thigh holster.

[Valor55]

Just out of curiosity, why do you have your mags on the same side as your weapon? FYI, officers in my department are issued the M26 model. Some have it on their belt. Others use a thigh holster.

My department actually mandates that our holster and mags are on the same side. :rolleyes: I put my mags on my weak side. Nobody has said anything yet.

[Ruprect]

A thought on handcuffs... You might think about keeping two sets on your belt, one hinged and one chain. The chain cuffs tend to be able to lock down smaller than the hinged, which will come in handy when you run into someone with small wrists. That way the female crack addict won't slip your hinged cuffs off while in the back of your car and then you won't have to listen to your coworkers talk about your mistake.

Look into getting a backup flashlight on your belt, especially if you work nights or evenings. You can get a good flashlight for around $30 like a streamlight scorpion and it's nice and small for off duty carry.