LEOs please respond. What equipment gift for Police Academy Graduate - Page 2

jwhite75 · May 20th, 2009, 04:48 PM

I suggest a small add-on to some of the suggestions. They make a cuff key that stores under a belt keeper, on the duty rig. I have some friends who go nowhere without them.

BikerRN · May 20th, 2009, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SIXTO

A good patrol bag will be needed. That, gloves and a cuff key can all be easily had for under 150.

Also, you might want to find out what uniform shop the SO uses, and get him a gift cert from there. There are always things that pop up for the new guys; they just dont always have the cash to go buy them right away. Things like spare boots hats etc always come up.

That about "nails it".

I wish someone had bought me a bag years ago, or given me a gift certificate. Lord knows I spent enough money in the uniform emporium when I started.

Biker

dhshark · May 20th, 2009, 06:48 PM

Find out if a "walky" is issued and buy some spare batteries. Nothing like being on overtime with a dead battery.

I carry a "Goto" bag with extra mags, knife, flashlight, flashlight batteries, ammo, shotshells and FAK (First Aid Kit). Make a "Goto" bag for him or just buy the bag. I currently use a Maxpedition Jumbo. I had to buy my own mags, ammo and made my own FAK for me. I made my bag for the "active shooter" situation.

Knowing what I know now I carry 2 BUGs, two knives and three flashlights (Magcharger (in hand while on foot), Novatac (back pocket) and a Firstlight Liberator on belt-Firstlightusa.com). I like Benchmade knives, maybe have his grad date engraved on the blade or engrave his badge number on the blade or flashlight(s).

Badge holder/wallet.

On a day to day basis I use my pen alot! Need to have a pen to write up reports, field interview possible suspects and sign your name and badge number on everything! Engrave his badge number on his pen.

Patrol bag is a good gift too but I'm glad I bought my own because the typical office briefcase is what my family would have bought me. You know the one with the snap-up latches.

Cruisermate clipboards. One for paperwork and one to hold traffic tickets and parking tickets.

I have a coolcop...the best investment I ever made. In the summer it really helps to keep me cool, especially after a foot chase.

Cut resistant gloves are a good choice too.

Pen style cuff key or a cuff key with a light, heck buy both...they are both pretty cheap but I use mine a lot. In fact I need to buy a new one.

If his department doesn't have a gym, get him a gym membership.

If I knew a family or friend who was graduating from the academy I would give him two gifts. A small gift after his graduation (cruisermate clipboard and a gift certificate to Galls or a badge holder wallet) and a second-more expensive gift-after his training with his Field Training Officer (FTO) and probation with the department (ie. Knife, flashlight, BUG holster etc.). That way he has an idea after being with a FTO what type of equipment he would want or need. One can think about the things that they may need and buy it only to find out that they don't need/use it as often as one thought. Believe me, new officers will not stop talking about their experiences. If you are close friends/family you'll soon find out what type of equipment he wants to have..."So we were chasing this guy on foot and all of a sudden my FTO brought out this cool (insert tool) that we can use and..." Aha, a gift idea! Also new officers know the date when their probation is up and they are "officially" on the department for good.

Good Luck in your quest and tell him to "Stay Safe!"

ncglock · May 20th, 2009, 08:38 PM

Gift Certificate to 511... I love me some 511

MitchellCT · May 21st, 2009, 03:11 PM

Scotch.

He will need that as a police officer with all the people he deals with.

Tubby45 · May 21st, 2009, 03:32 PM

Hand sanitizer. Trust me.

Chroode · May 21st, 2009, 04:01 PM

Take that $150 and get some other relatives to chip in, and then take him to the local gunshop to pick out an off duty weapon.

heylin · May 21st, 2009, 08:49 PM

Wow lots of great suggestions there. Mabey a gift voucher for some nice polarized sunglasses (ie Rayban, Oakley). Every LEO\Police Officer needs a good set of glasses for driving.

Polarized work really well seeing into vehichles as it remove reflections from the windscreens.

CenCal · May 24th, 2009, 02:44 AM

Thank You all for the much needed advice. Really helps to hear different suggestions on items LEOs use and appreciate having on a daily basis.

Stay Safe.

SIXTO · May 24th, 2009, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dhshark

I have a coolcop...the best investment I ever made. In the summer it really helps to keep me cool, especially after a foot chase.

CoolCop really works? I thought it looked kinda cheesy in the advertisments... but I don't know anyone who actually has one.

May 20th, 2009, 04:48 PM	#11
jwhite75 VIP Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: West Virginia Posts: 2,306	I suggest a small add-on to some of the suggestions. They make a cuff key that stores under a belt keeper, on the duty rig. I have some friends who go nowhere without them. __________________ Friends don't let friends be MALL NINJAS. "May God have mercy on my enemies...because I won't." -Gen. George S. Patton.

May 21st, 2009, 03:32 PM	#16
Tubby45 VIP Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Making suppressors Posts: 2,406	Hand sanitizer. Trust me. __________________ Freakshow Manufacturing LLC Ammunition- Retail, Wholesale, Law Enforcement

May 21st, 2009, 08:49 PM	#18
heylin Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: New Zealand Posts: 371	Wow lots of great suggestions there. Mabey a gift voucher for some nice polarized sunglasses (ie Rayban, Oakley). Every LEO\Police Officer needs a good set of glasses for driving. Polarized work really well seeing into vehichles as it remove reflections from the windscreens. __________________ ------------------------------------------------ War is not about dying for your country, but making your enemy die for his. ------------------------------------------------

May 24th, 2009, 02:44 AM	#19
CenCal Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Central California Posts: 194	Thanks Thank You all for the much needed advice. Really helps to hear different suggestions on items LEOs use and appreciate having on a daily basis. Stay Safe.

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May 20th, 2009, 06:48 PM	#13
dhshark Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Midwest Posts: 62	Find out if a "walky" is issued and buy some spare batteries. Nothing like being on overtime with a dead battery. I carry a "Goto" bag with extra mags, knife, flashlight, flashlight batteries, ammo, shotshells and FAK (First Aid Kit). Make a "Goto" bag for him or just buy the bag. I currently use a Maxpedition Jumbo. I had to buy my own mags, ammo and made my own FAK for me. I made my bag for the "active shooter" situation. Knowing what I know now I carry 2 BUGs, two knives and three flashlights (Magcharger (in hand while on foot), Novatac (back pocket) and a Firstlight Liberator on belt-Firstlightusa.com). I like Benchmade knives, maybe have his grad date engraved on the blade or engrave his badge number on the blade or flashlight(s). Badge holder/wallet. On a day to day basis I use my pen alot! Need to have a pen to write up reports, field interview possible suspects and sign your name and badge number on everything! Engrave his badge number on his pen. Patrol bag is a good gift too but I'm glad I bought my own because the typical office briefcase is what my family would have bought me. You know the one with the snap-up latches. Cruisermate clipboards. One for paperwork and one to hold traffic tickets and parking tickets. I have a coolcop...the best investment I ever made. In the summer it really helps to keep me cool, especially after a foot chase. Cut resistant gloves are a good choice too. Pen style cuff key or a cuff key with a light, heck buy both...they are both pretty cheap but I use mine a lot. In fact I need to buy a new one. If his department doesn't have a gym, get him a gym membership. If I knew a family or friend who was graduating from the academy I would give him two gifts. A small gift after his graduation (cruisermate clipboard and a gift certificate to Galls or a badge holder wallet) and a second-more expensive gift-after his training with his Field Training Officer (FTO) and probation with the department (ie. Knife, flashlight, BUG holster etc.). That way he has an idea after being with a FTO what type of equipment he would want or need. One can think about the things that they may need and buy it only to find out that they don't need/use it as often as one thought. Believe me, new officers will not stop talking about their experiences. If you are close friends/family you'll soon find out what type of equipment he wants to have..."So we were chasing this guy on foot and all of a sudden my FTO brought out this cool (insert tool) that we can use and..." Aha, a gift idea! Also new officers know the date when their probation is up and they are "officially" on the department for good. Good Luck in your quest and tell him to "Stay Safe!"

May 20th, 2009, 08:38 PM	#14
ncglock Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Durham, NC Posts: 264	Gift Certificate to 511... I love me some 511

May 21st, 2009, 03:11 PM	#15
MitchellCT Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Connecticut Posts: 1,013	Scotch. He will need that as a police officer with all the people he deals with.

May 21st, 2009, 04:01 PM	#17
Chroode Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Phoenix, Arizona Posts: 214	Take that $150 and get some other relatives to chip in, and then take him to the local gunshop to pick out an off duty weapon.