Radio mic positions

[dpatrol]

I am just curious where you guys wear you radio mic if you have one with seperate mic w/cord. I used to wear mine my left epaulet opposite my gun side , cord on the front. I now wear mine on my shirt/jacket just below my chin.

My youngest brother was killed in line of duty and the investigatioin/reconstruction of the incident revealed that the investigators believe he was shot as he turned his head toward his mic that was on his epaulet to call for back up and was braodcasting and this caused him to briefly break full visual contact with the suspect who took advantage. Next time your at work make a effort to evaluate yourself or observe other officers using epaulet clipped mic's and make your judgment then.You will see that most turn thier head and eyes away , some more than others. If your are with a partner or other officers this probably is as big of an issue than when you are solo.

I think below the chin is safer as I can broadcast without moving my head. If you watch videos of incidents you see officers turning their heads this is a safety issue. I find I have to turn the volume up a little more. The hearing in my left ear is worse than my right and I think it is from 15+ years of radio chatter blarring in it. If I am in a loud area I just unclip and hold up by ear.

I do believe radios with seperate mic's a better than without for access. I have had the seperate mic fall of while running resulting in a tangle up and once as a CO almost strangled with one. I am thinking about trying hands free mic's either clipped or with headset. What do you guys think.

[CrazyTed]

I wore my hand mic on the front of my shirt under my chin like you describe for several reason. One, if you try to talk on the radio, you can maintain eye contact infront, two, your hand is still in the middle of your body in case you have to fight or use a tool off your belt, and three, if you are in a foot pursuit it is much easier to run and transmit. You can easily be understood. I also have rarely lost the mic from this position. I also used an ear piece with our radios so I could use a lower volume and sneak around much easier. I always worked nights and hardly ever used a flash light. I liked to hide in the shadows and watch what was happening.
I also went over where I place my equipment on my belt. I put my cuffs on the front so when I go to cuff a suspect I didn't have to reach behind my back. My hand would be more available to the front of my body if needed.
I also could never understand if an officer was going to arrest someone, why search them before handcuffing them. Just handcuff them first so they are secure and then search them....

[dpatrol]

Hey Crazy ,Well said. Excellent points about the cuffs and searching. I also like to stay low profile at night, the perps/susp always refer to this as creeping but its works and they don't like it.

Up late again I see, I just took some Melatonin a sleep supp that I read about on a post last night, hope to get some shuteye.

[Mystikal]

i wear mine with the cord stretching across my back towards my gun side, threaded through the epalate, and clipped between the first and second shirt buttons. Ive run into before just being clipped on the shirt it falls off while fighting or running... with it threaded under the epalate if it comes unclipped i don't lose it entirely.

[dpatrol]

i wear mine with the cord stretching across my back towards my gun side, threaded through the epalate, and clipped between the first and second shirt buttons. Ive run into before just being clipped on the shirt it falls off while fighting... with it threaded under the epalate if it comes unclipped i don't lose it entirely.

I might have to give that a try . It would probably solve the problem with that mic cord hanging down catching on things, especially on my bike. I try to get a radio with the shortest cord possible. I dont think my department has any policy regarding, I've seen old timer's clip the mic to thier magazine pouch on the belt and I've been seeing new guys using rubber bands to secure the mic to the epaulet.

[SRT936]

i wear mine with the cord stretching across my back towards my gun side, threaded through the epalate, and clipped between the first and second shirt buttons. Ive run into before just being clipped on the shirt it falls off while fighting or running... with it threaded under the epalate if it comes unclipped i don't lose it entirely.

+1 on this. I wear my radio on my left side with the cord up along my back, threaded through the left side epaulet, then clipped between the second and firts buttons on the shirt. The mike stays securely in place and never falls off. I fully agree on the issue of not wearing on your epaulet. Keep it up front where you can talk and still see and function effectively.

[Guams]

i wear mine with the cord stretching across my back towards my gun side, threaded through the epalate, and clipped between the first and second shirt buttons. Ive run into before just being clipped on the shirt it falls off while fighting or running... with it threaded under the epalate if it comes unclipped i don't lose it entirely.

+1 That's how mine is attached. I've never had a problem with comfort or eye contact. Haven't been in any foot pursuits yet, but when the time comes I'm sure it'll be there when I need it.

[keith758]

dpatrol, was I with you when you were almost strangled? As I recall, we had a couple of good one's together back in the day!

I wear my mic on the front of my shirt. I really don't like the hand mics., but they are convenient.

[DOAcop38]

dumped the mic several yrs after the Dept issued them for our Motorola Astro radios;Why? they get tangled when you are climbing over something,they pop off from your shirt and get banged around alot, you get into a ground struggle they flop around, and -after alot of abuse-they operate poorly ( have heard far too many officers with garbled transmissions and often,the mic was to blame).worried about being tactical ?turn down your radio before approaching.and "Yes",several yrs back a local southbay area anti cop nut tried to choke out one of my fellow co workers with his mics cord( the A-hole had left his "dear john" suicide note at home listing all the local PDs he was going to so as to attack/kill an officer or die trying).I've found that before you put anything in your hands ,i.e. mic,pen /F.I. card,etc,have the suspect under "control" FIRST. this debate has gone on and on within the posts on this site,but if you think the suspect is a potential threat "handcuff" him or her first then proceed.i know there are officers/deputies/agents/troopers.etc that think this is "cowardly" or not necessary,but using the radio DOES distract you from focussing on you suspect/subject,even if its a little bit- its enough for them to try something(I need not point out how many "cops" clown show outtakes showing suspects running from officers who failed to control the suspect then go to run them on the radio for warrants,etc)-there is nothing really tactical at all about the mic,so don't consider it that way( unless you are using one of those SWAT throat mics)........

[VT_453]

i wear mine with the cord stretching across my back towards my gun side, threaded through the epalate, and clipped between the first and second shirt buttons. Ive run into before just being clipped on the shirt it falls off while fighting or running... with it threaded under the epalate if it comes unclipped i don't lose it entirely.

Same here. I had one shirt that got cut by my radio holder just above the radio; I would thread the mike cord through that hole, up to the right top of my vest and down to the center of my chest between the same buttons. Sounds weird, but worked great and if it came unclipped it would not go anywhere. One less thing to be grabbed by too.

About the cuffs position, I have one set on the front, one on the back. I use the front one, but if im in a fight and face-down on someone, my backup can get my secondary ones for me so we dont have to worry about swapping them out later.

[scratch13]

Everything said here is preference. One can articulate the opposite or a different technique. We live in a world of compromise.

Cord over the back - choking hazard.
Mic on the shoulder - don't turn your head, but still takes that arm way out of play.
Cuffs to the front - must put one of the other toys to the rear (ASP,taser,PS,extra mags,etc).

[dpatrol]

Hey, Keith, Ya You were probably there for a few of those, the one I remember the most was in Unit 8 in the the shorthall ,inmate refusing to go to hole. Somehow during the fight my mike came off and wrapped completely around my neck and inmate grabbed it and held on. After some soft gentle persuasion he finally let go :) . Those darn mic cords always got in the way when fighting.

I am sure most here have stories about dangling mic cords wrapping around legs or objects while running. Some guys like to attach the mic with straps or bands, I still like to be able to remove the mic to broadcast in certain situation. I do have choice to carry radio without mic, but I find I miss to many tranmissions and end up holding the radio in my hand half the shift. I don't like having to turn up my radio too loudly I like to stay low profile.

[nrneuha]

I am just curious where you guys wear you radio mic if you have one with seperate mic w/cord. I used to wear mine my left epaulet opposite my gun side , cord on the front. I now wear mine on my shirt/jacket just below my chin.

My youngest brother was killed in line of duty and the investigatioin/reconstruction of the incident revealed that the investigators believe he was shot as he turned his head toward his mic that was on his epaulet to call for back up and was braodcasting and this caused him to briefly break full visual contact with the suspect who took advantage. Next time your at work make a effort to evaluate yourself or observe other officers using epaulet clipped mic's and make your judgment then.You will see that most turn thier head and eyes away , some more than others. If your are with a partner or other officers this probably is as big of an issue than when you are solo.

I think below the chin is safer as I can broadcast without moving my head. If you watch videos of incidents you see officers turning their heads this is a safety issue. I find I have to turn the volume up a little more. The hearing in my left ear is worse than my right and I think it is from 15+ years of radio chatter blarring in it. If I am in a loud area I just unclip and hold up by ear.

I do believe radios with seperate mic's a better than without for access. I have had the seperate mic fall of while running resulting in a tangle up and once as a CO almost strangled with one. I am thinking about trying hands free mic's either clipped or with headset. What do you guys think.

I also wear mine right under my chin, and I wear an earpiece as well. I think that the earpiece is one of the best ways to increase your officer safety. No more dispatch giving away your position in the dark, and like you said, you don't have to turn your head to talk into your mic.

[Fire4Effect]

Best I've found is the small clip on mic with the remote button looped through the duty belt.

Combine that with an earpiece and it has worked out well.

Bad thing if your dept. is too cheap to buy the equipment. The sets can run over $100.

[JSD73]

Clipped below my chin. If you have a problem with the cord dangling in this position simply clip a 'keeper' to your belt and run the cord under it, snapping it down...

Bad thing is, it does tend to come off during fights. If you wear it on your shoulder you do not have to turn your head to the mic, it will pick up your voice...I wish other officers would learn this in order to stay safer.

[Groove]

I recently did away with the shoulder mic altogether and got a nifty little lapel mic and ear piece. All the wires are on the inside of my shirt. The only thing on the outside is the tiny mic, between 2 and 3 button, and the ear piece. I had the uniform shop put a button hole on my radio side about 8 inches down from the armpit and the wires go in there and connect to the radio via a quick detatch mechanism. It's really nice. Everyone jokingly calls me "special agent" now but that is ok. I got mine here (http://www.earphoneconnect.com/page_text.asp?PageID=96&Sub=false).

[Sabre]

...If you wear it on your shoulder you do not have to turn your head to the mic, it will pick up your voice...I wish other officers would learn this in order to stay safer.

That's why I don't wear mine on the shoulder anymore. I put it right in front. I caught myself too many times doing the awkward neck twist to talk into the mic.

All the officers I've seen use the shoulder-position do this. It's like a miniature process to talk into the mic. They stop what they are doing, bend their arm all awkwardly to get ahold of the mike, take a breath, then crane their head into position. It's just so unnatural.

Mine goes right in front now. Much better.

[Groove]

Can you find that little mic during a fight? what if it comes off? What if your ear piece comes out in a fight....

those are my concerns... atleast if my big mic comes off it should be easy enough to find plus I'll always be able to hear it. I'm a bit turned off of losing my ear piece and not hearing a damn thing.

I don't use the PTT on my tiny lapel mic. I key up via the PTT on the radio. Keeps my hands near equipment and it looks like you are just resting your hand on the radio. As far as loosing the ear piece in a fight, my main concern would be just relaying important info. I have only been in one minor scuffle since getting my earpiece and nothing adverse happened. Say the mic got unclipped from my shirt. It's wired from the inside so it wouldn't go far. Worst case scenario, mic is knocked away and ear piece comes off. The unit i got has a quick disconnect feature. If you had to you would be back at a radio with no shoulder mic. I had the same concerns as well before i bought my set up. i hated getting tangled up in the stupid shoulder mic cord. I'm glad i got rid of the speaker mic.

[psotyrone]

i found that a rubber band wrapped twice around the antenna helps keep the mic attached to the mic holder and to the shoulder epilette. it gives it two points of security

[jeeper]

I found a mic keeper on street survival. It goes on my right epaulet button and hangs low enough that it rides about 4 inches below my chin in the center of my shirt. Where it lies means all I've got to do is push the button and it transmits without me having to move my head at all. I find this perfect for me. I used to wear it looped over my shoulder and clipped to the center of my shirt on my button placket. I didn't like it there becuase I wear zipper shirts and it didn't catch well it often came off too easily when running or going hands on.

[Taylor1430]

I recently did away with the shoulder mic altogether and got a nifty little lapel mic and ear piece. All the wires are on the inside of my shirt. The only thing on the outside is the tiny mic, between 2 and 3 button, and the ear piece. I had the uniform shop put a button hole on my radio side about 8 inches down from the armpit and the wires go in there and connect to the radio via a quick detatch mechanism. It's really nice. Everyone jokingly calls me "special agent" now but that is ok. I got mine here (http://www.earphoneconnect.com/page_text.asp?PageID=96&Sub=false).

Groove, That is similar to the system I purchased. I love it and dont think I could go back to the extended mic. The mic is high up enough on my shirt that I can talk without moving my head and can stay focused on the suspect. I too typically use the PTT button on the radio attachment, and the mic itself is sensitive enough that it picks up audio even under my shirt and is not visible. As for the earpiece, I don't need everyone hearing what is being said to me. Our dispatchers will *sometime* ask us if we are 'secure' before giving warrant information. Other times, they just blurt it out. Not good when you have a suspect who is not aware of a warrant or a suspended DL. Now, I am still enganged in conversation with the suspect when the dispatcher tells me the guy has outstanding warrants and he has no clue what is being said to me (or that anyone is even talking to me until I key up).

As far as the mic or earpiece coming out, I have not seen it as an issue. If I'm in a fight and the earpiece comes out, its the last of my worries. If the mic becomes unclipped, it will only drop so far and will still pick up my voice from under my shirt, even in a fight. I listened to some tapes of a fight I was in and this occurred. It sounded perfectly normal.

Once during a fight, the wires in my extended mic were ripped out just above the radio. This made my radio useless because it would not key up with the attachment still on the radio, nor could I hear anything. The lapel mic does not do that...I can still key up the radio and speak into it even with everything attached.

[AggiePhil]

Most at my department use the Ear Gadget, which has a small lapel mic and an earpiece as pictured below. When I'm getting my uniform ready, I disconnect the small speaker from the cord and thread both wires through my button hole, then reconnect them. So basically, if the clip on lapel mic comes off while running or fighting, it still won't go anywhere because the wires go into my top shirt button. And BTW, these mics are all very sensitive so you don't have to point your mouth toward them when you talk...even with the shoulder mics. Like on the TV news, you never see the anchors leaning down to speak directly into the mic. They will pick up your voice being that close to your face. ;)

http://www.phildorsett.com/images/eargadget.jpg

[Resq14]

Does anyone use this bad boy? At $300+, I'd be a little worried about losing it.

http://www.freelinc.com/images/products/spkr%20mic%20%20180.jpg

http://www.freelinc.com/index.php?p_content=product&p_prd_pk=4

[WhoRunIt1475]

i just changed mic positions and i must say i think i like it better on the front of my uniform just under the second button.. its alot easier to read a tag and watch the driver at the same time.

[GroundPounder01]

i wear mine with the cord stretching across my back towards my gun side, threaded through the epalate, and clipped between the first and second shirt buttons. Ive run into before just being clipped on the shirt it falls off while fighting or running... with it threaded under the epalate if it comes unclipped i don't lose it entirely.

Exacly the same way I wear mine.. I dont like the cord getting in the way of my pockets when I need certain items I put there. On top of it, like you said, it catches on alot of things.. and I dont need it getting pulled on during an altercation, that seems to be one of the first things a perp likes to grab, and having the cord slung across the front makes it easy to destroy your radio coms!

[ZGXtreme]

Exacly the same way I wear mine.. I dont like the cord getting in the way of my pockets when I need certain items I put there. On top of it, like you said, it catches on alot of things.. and I dont need it getting pulled on during an altercation, that seems to be one of the first things a perp likes to grab, and having the cord slung across the front makes it easy to destroy your radio coms!

Just going to vouch for this one too. I have worn my mic in this manner since I was hired. Initially I was the only one who did, until we had a pretty good fight one night. One of the guys noticed my mic had come unclipped, but was still available to call for help. After that, several switched. Just nice not having to worry about a coiled mic bouncing everywhere when you need it.

[10-96CodeJ]

Just going to vouch for this one too. I have worn my mic in this manner since I was hired. Initially I was the only one who did, until we had a pretty good fight one night. One of the guys noticed my mic had come unclipped, but was still available to call for help. After that, several switched. Just nice not having to worry about a coiled mic bouncing everywhere when you need it.

thats how i wear it too, and i dont key up when in driving

[Munlaw]

I wear mine like majority of the Officers towards the left in this picture...Around the back, and underneath the right epaulette...

http://cms.met.police.uk/var/met/storage/images/media/kensington_and_chelsea_media/golborne_sn_team/46846-1-eng-GB/golborne_sn_team.jpg

[OWI Enforcer]

I clip the mic right in the middle of my shirt between the pockets. It is at an angle so the cord runs down below my left pocket, around to my side under my arm pit. I coil the cord around the tip of the antenna so there isn't any extra flopping around. If the front of my belt is at the 12 o'clock position, my radio is at about 8 o'clock. I think it is much more tactically sound to have it at the front as opposed to on the shoulder. Just my two cents.

[NavyDavy]

Anyone have one of these?

http://www.thefirestore.com/store/product.cfm/pid_702_gear_keeper_mic_keeper_belt_clip_or_epaule t_mount/

[11b101abn]

I wear mine under my chin, usually above the first button or between the first and second.

I have a straight cord mic w/ an antenna that I used up until i obtained the curly cord mic. Both have thier uses. The straight cord one is probably best suited for more rural settings but I work in a city so I use the curly one and a stubby antenna on the radio (HT1000).

I like it where it is, but I have to admit, for "dressier" ( not in the field)occasions, it goes on the shoulder.

[rook21]

they had some people demo the bluetooth ear piece looking version of that thing, and it was horrendous. not sure if they big normal looking thing is any better. (no i wasn't one of the testers)

Does anyone use this bad boy? At $300+, I'd be a little worried about losing it.

http://www.freelinc.com/images/products/spkr%20mic%20%20180.jpg

http://www.freelinc.com/index.php?p_content=product&p_prd_pk=4

[MrHappy]

I wear my whole radio on the left hand side of my armour/harness, it is clipped on and I can reach the emergency button (which would grant me 20secs of air time to shout whatever) without looking at the radio - I put it on the opposite side to my strong side which I would hold my baton with so it would be done with my free hand if I had my baton drawn.

The radios I use are very similar to the one below clipped on the body armour...we ditched the motorola HT1000's years ago. The emergency buttons are bright red buttons on the tops of the radios.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/graphics/2007/07/02/nterror102a.jpg

[usmcgunnerm4]

An update:

I am using an epaulet mic holder, and it actually works pretty good, it lets me pull the mike in front of my mouth if I need to, and the mic latches on to the clip itself really nicely. I don't think it will fall off easily.

[ArkansasFan24]

I still wear it on my left shoulder, but I don't turn my head in that direction to speak.

[cocoa25]

I use what aggiephil has pic'd(page 1). love it. I would hav had my a## shot off one night if I didn't have it. Almost three years of using now. Best investment (next to my AR) ;)