Equipment police officers carry

re you aware of what equipment police officers carry? It has changed a lot over the past 30 years when chain link handcuffs, a wooden truncheon and an analogue radio were the only items carried.

The attached photo shows the standard equipment of a police officer operating in a front line role. Displaying from left to right we have;

- Rigid handcuffs

- Digital radio allowing communications with radio operators

- Canister containing incapacitant “pepper” spray

- X2 taser. A conducted energy device (CED) designed to achieve what is called “neuromuscular incapacitation”. Some police officers like Sgt Easter are trained and authorised to carry the device

- Body worn video camera for recording evidence and police officer actions

- Friction lock metal baton

- Spit guard. A breathable mesh material designed to be placed over an individual’s head to protect police officers from spitting

- Velcro limb restraints for use in the control of an individual’s lower limbs

Police officers also wear ballistic armour under the equipment vest. This results in police officers having to carry around 2 stone’s worth of equipment!

The equipment carried by police officers may been seen as excessive. Unfortunately the risk of police officers being subject to violence and being exposed to incidents involving edged and blunt weapons has increased over the past 30 years. The equipment not only keeps police officers safe, but also keeps members of the public safe as well.