Police gear expensive, need info

[rhodes_cadet]

ya i just need some general info on things...
*does anyone know of any internet sights where i can get a cheap duty belt and accessories.
*does anyone know if there is way i can use my duty belt and accessories bill as a tax write off in any way.
*or just anyway of saving some freak'n money in this profession

[Bing_Oh]

Shop around for nylon gear. It tends to be cheaper than leather...unless your academy requires leather gear. Alot of people buy from Galls, but you may very well be able to find cheaper. You could even check out Ebay for used gear.

And, yes, technically you can deduct the price of any equipment you buy from your taxes as itemizations...as long as it for your occupation. Usually, however, the standard deductions are well in excess of what you will be able to save by itemizing.

[rhodes_cadet]

ok as far as the tax thing, now do i have to be employed at a LE agency for it to be itemizations....

[SgtScott31]

ok as far as the tax thing, now do i have to be employed at a LE agency for it to be itemizations....

More than likely, yes. Either reserve or full-time, if you spend your personal money on work-related items, they can be write-offs for tax time. Your tax return will have to be itemized to do so, so you can't just send in a 1040EZ.

I'm not a tax expert, so you may need to ask someone from H&R, etc

[bldg0031]

I got my duty belt and accessories off of ebay for 45 dollars. I was really worried at the time about quality but it is in almost mint condition. Really quality stuff. Uncle Mikes brand.

[pkagel]

You can get top quality stuff on ebay for dirt cheap prices.

[Tim Dees]

*does anyone know of any internet sights where i can get a cheap duty belt and accessories.
Find inexpensive gear if you can, but never buy cheap gear.

*does anyone know if there is way i can use my duty belt and accessories bill as a tax write off in any way.If you're actually employed as a law enforcement officer, then just about anything you buy for use on the job is tax deductible. If you are only in training and hope to become a law enforcement officer when you're done, then it generally isn't deductible. It's part of the cost of preparing for a new career or occupation, and the IRS won't let you deduct that. Some cops have tried to deduct law school tuition as an educational expense to further their professional expertise. The IRS says that law school prepares you for a new profession, and disallows the deduction.

One exception is if you are a volunteer reserve officer. because you're basically doing volunteer work for the community, expenses towards that work are deductible, as is the mileage you drive to and from the job site.

[Bodie]

The agency you worked for would provide you with issued equipment or a allowance to buy it with.
Cheap is Cheap and dangerous. This is one profession where to don't cut corners.

Wait until you are old enough get a job as a cop. In the meantime take any college classes besides leo or cj you can or join military.

The classes you are currently taking now only guarantee two things they will give you a piece of paper and cost you lots of money and valuable time but no career

[keith758]

For good gear at at a good price, try "Quartermaster law-Pro."

[pkagel]

You said it right there Bodie. In the academy one of the guys bought a cheap holster from Galls and in DT it was ripped right off of his belt. I have to think that if that would have happened on the street he would have been dead soon after.

The agency you worked for would provide you with issued equipment or a allowance to buy it with.
Cheap is Cheap and dangerous. This is one profession where to don't cut corners.

[Bigg Dogg]

http://store.yahoo.com/expresspolicesupply/index.html

I also get a lot of stuff from Quartermaster and Chiefs Supply.

[bldg0031]

"The classes you are currently taking now only guarantee two things they will give you a piece of paper and cost you lots of money and valuable time but no career"

A degree is not a waste of money nor a waste of time. You learn many valuable things and you get a nice security blanket. You are right it does not guarantee a career but it does help. A lot of departments are going in the direction of requiring a degree. It can never hurt to have that "piece of paper".

[Bodie]

But a degree that is strictly leo related to any other field is a piece of paper. Thousands of officers have degrees in other subjects and have something to fall back on. They also knew that if they did not become cops they would have an alternative career that would pay well. A two yera CJ degree is virtually just a piece of paper to anybody but a cop.

[bldg0031]

Yes and No. It is important to have a degree of any kind these days. So to say it is just a piece of paper is still incorrect. It does many things. Shows that you do have some education (many people get degrees in completely unrelated fields to where they work). Shows that you can learn!

I do understand your point and agree to a degree. It is still better than just a piece of paper.

[TX Heat]

Do not skimp on the holster or handcuffs.
The other leather can be cheaper stuff till you can afford the good stuff. The holster, firearm and handcuffs cannot be skimped on. Second best ain't good enough for those items.

[toby101]

Do not skimp on the holster or handcuffs.
The other leather can be cheaper stuff till you can afford the good stuff. The holster, firearm and handcuffs cannot be skimped on. Second best ain't good enough for those items.


Don't forget about the bullet proof vest.

[mavriktu]

You can get some inexpensive gear from cheaperthandirt.com.Just read the ads well.I bought some $5 cuffs that were actually toys...(they were only going to be backups),Galls is ok but they can kill you on the s/h charges...