Good Tools

[GoinCode]

Does anyone got any good equipment for the job that would not be considered standard issue? For example a guy at my dept has a handy voice recorder that has a mic he clips to the top of his vest. The mic has a record button on it so he never has to touch the recorder. Since we have dash cams he doesn't get the chance to use it much but it comes in handy time to time. Any neat tools for paperwork, organization, tactical, ect?? Just curious if there are some things out there that I should be aware of. Thanks.

[Leigh Harrington]

Get yourself a Leatherman Supertool 2. It has loads of useful attachments and the pouch it comes with is big enough to fit on an equipment belt, unlike the WAVE! Hatch make knife resistant gloves which are a must. Purell make a no water hand cleanser in a tiny size (pack of three at Walmart) which is handy if you have to touch anything you didnt want to and cant get to a sink.
Nail varnish removal pads WITH acetone are useful to see if vehicle paint is factory or from a cut and shunt job,the cheap paint comes off!

[WesConn207]

I second the Leatherman tool. I bought one last year and it's been one of the handiest items on my duty belt. I even bought another one for "off duty" use. :D

[shooter1201]

I have a Schrade ToughTool on my duty belt. Everytime I THINK about sticking in my gear bag, instead...I need it. I use it more than my gun. :D

[Southpaw]

Ditto on the Leatherman AND the alcohol cleaner stuff and some paper towels... also disposable gloves come in handy when you've got to stuff a drunken methhead who sort of "missed" when he tried to take that public urination.... :o

Some sort of flashlight on the belt is very handy also.

[GoinCode]

Nice posts, I have most of them except for the nail varnish pads, good info though. I have an old leatherman thats been used and abused, I will have to check out the super tool 2. Anybody with a super cool duty bag? I have your standard old galls bag that needs to be replaced. Ohh another nice tool is the tactical mirror from galls that clips on your ASP. Great for building searchs. Another handy tool is a paperwork organizer. Its like a large day planner that unzips. Inside its like a flexable filing cabnit. Great for stocking Custody's, incidents reports, property sheets ect. I currently keep them all in my hard case, but am going to go buy one of these organizers. Keep them coming, share your secerts. lol

[Darth Choke]

<a href="http://www.shop4leatherman.co.uk/matrix.gif" target="_blank">http://www.shop4leatherman.co.uk/matrix.gif</a>

<small>[ 01-05-2003, 11:10 PM: Message edited by: Niteshift ]</small>

[GoinCode]

Darth thanks for the spread. Ohhh I forgot one. I saw a nice little formal daily planner looking thing from the Georgia Hwy Patrol (state police?) that was filled with office supplies such as stapler, paper clips ect. Handy little thing to throw in the car. If anyone knows where I could pick one up please let me know. I think is was blue with the Georgia badge on front.

[Frank Booth]

Get a copy of a good constitutional law book, a good book on search and seizure decisions from your state, and the book of police officer's rights. Also know your Garrity rights and have the name and number of a good lawyer on hand. (not the one your union pays for unless you know he's very, very good)

[Niteshift]

I love the leatherman tool, but you should also get a screwdriver with a few interchangeable bits (phillips, slot and torx heads). You can get them for around $5. They're better for removing license plates etc. than the Leatherman is.

[Leigh Harrington]

go to Walmart for the Leatherman, they are such a great price I got them for half my team back in London. They also sell the hand cleaner. If you are ever in New York check out the New York Iron Works down near chinatown.They have a great range of stuff and afterwards go to Wo Hopp, 17 Mott St for a blinding Chinese meal!

[Tulpopo]

I carry a durg identification book that shows every prescription drug out there. They're for nursing and med school students but I get a lot of use out of it. I seem to run into a lot of people carrying pills without the prescription bottle. Got more than a few good arrests from it. You should be able to find one at any large book store.

[Niteshift]

A lot of times, if you hit up the hospital or a doctors office, they will give you a copy of the Physicians Desk Reference (PDR) book that ID's all the drugs when they get the new one. Even one a couple of years old is invaluable and free is good. :D