Duty suspenders

[Omega17632]

Okay, I've been doing alot of reading and looking up on duty suspenders. I think they are a great idea, however they look really really dumb (personal opinion.) Now, I have lower back issues and by the end of my last day on duty for the week, my back is killing me. So, who wears suspenders and what do you have to say about them.

Now i think that wearing black suspenders on a tan uniform (what i wear) would be hideous looking, not to mention that no way would the brass go for that. So, I want to make a slit in the front and rear of my shirt so that I can wear the suspenders over my vest, but under my shirt, and then poke the keeper part of the suspenders through the shirt and connect it to my rig.

So, I guess i'm just thinking out loud here, but has anyone done any such thing or have any input/feedback???

[ateamer]

Who cares if it looks dumb? Preventable pain is a whole lot dumber. I am going through that right now, and my brass won't go for the supsenders solely due to appearance. I say screw all administrators who put looks over health.

[Omega17632]

well, the main thing about looking dumb is that, if it looks bad, the brass isn't going to go for it. So the part of looking dumb ties into the whole getting approved thing!

[Chit2001]

What if the dept. doesn't let you wear them? (IE: Not Issued).

[Narco]

I think wearing it under your shirt would look even more hideous. It would buldge and the holes you'd have to cut would be very noticeable. You can get the nylon type double suspendes or get the old school sam browne type strap (a la some NE state troopers) that goes from your 11 oclock on the belt over the right shoulder and hooks to the 5 o clock (or across the other shoulder). That might look better with you uniform and the brass may go for it since it's only 1 strap and is leather. Worth a look?

[krinkbusta]

Have you guys seen the suspenders that the Lakewood PD Officers wear? (I think in Pierce County, WA). They are always on Cops and "POLICE" is on the back of their black shirts in big white letters. I personally think their uniforms w/the suspenders looks bad ***. I do agree that black suspenders on a brown/tan shirt would not look that great.

[JaseFifty1]

I wear black leather suspenders. Ordered them from a Canadian police supply company. Been wearing them for 4-5 years now I think.
I absolutely love them. Back pain rarely crops up anymore. An unintended side effect is that my acid reflux went away as well due to not having the belt squeezing in on my gut.
My uniform is navy so the suspenders aren't as visible as they would be with brown. Still think that the leather would look better than nylon.

I was going to post a link to their website but.... I'm getting an server not found error. I hope they didn't go out of business. They're the only company I could find that had leather suspenders.

[HPDwestisde]

how about addressing the issue of ur pain in the back. several officers at the station complianed about their back pain... i told them u need to strengthen ur core... abs / and lower lumbar. i even talked to an ole' friend who is now a g/m at the 24hrs fitness. he got me some free 1 month passes 4 the guys.. i showed them some workouts and since then they have not had the back pains... all of them after the 1 month even signed up and are now members at the 24 hrs fitness...



so just some basic crunches... back extensions to strenghten up ur core will make a diff. and posture 2

[jebtcop]

I moved my cuff cases away from the small of my back...seemed to help some. A few people in my department started wearing suspenders and were shot out of the sky soon afterward.

[stormz5192]

I thought of altering my shirts and adding clip points inside of my pants, but the uniform company is less than cooperative. I was going to contact the manufacturer, but then I figured that my agency wouldn't allow it, so I just gave up. Hell, I'd be happy just to be able to use (2) belts instead of setting up my duty belt differently with almost every pair of pants cause the manufacturer can't get the loops in the same place.

[CPD7297]

All I can add to this is I worked Patrol for 14 years and I've had lower back (L4, L5) issues since 1986. That's when the disc bulged/slipped. I go to a chiropractor every 3-4 weeks for adjustments to this day. At one point (in the 90's), I had him write a letter to my department so I could be issued the light weight canvus gear. It didn't help the weight issue much. In fact, the chief hated the canvus look. Doc told the human body was not designed to carry that much stuff (weight) around ones lower back for hours in the day. Plus, the physical trauma of running, jumping, sitting, in and out of a cruiser, all wearing a duty belt. Back in the 70's my department did away with the 'Sam Browne' shoulder strap on the daily uniform. Too many complaints with it digging into the shoulder and neck area. I see officers today who carry so much gear around their waist and it just make me worry for their future health. I don't know if suspenders are the answer. I have seen a wide leather back support that can be slipped inside your leather duty belt that may add some support. But, then again, many departments have uniform code policies. To cut down on weight, I removed my mace holder and hand carried my walkie radio without using a holder. But, I was ordered to comply with the standard items of issued gear. I think lower back pain issues and cops go together...unfortunately.

[Omega17632]

The department does not issue them, and i'm not sure if anyone on the dept has ever tried these.

Also, to bring up issues of back pain would open me up for a medical eval and a "fit for duty" medical screening, which could potentially end my career severely early, even though I am fit for duty. It's a catch 22 with the department.

As far as the core strength training, I hit the gym regularly with a professional trainer, so it's not the strength that is the issue.

I think i'm just gonna order a set and teke a shirt to a seamstress and make something up, we'll see what happens!

[Boss Rob Canada]

In Canada it's pretty common for LEO's to wear their body armour in external carriers, the suspenders are hidden and not an issue. I know I like my suspenders.

Rob

[86-43]

Have you guys seen the suspenders that the Lakewood PD Officers wear? (I think in Pierce County, WA). They are always on Cops and "POLICE" is on the back of their black shirts in big white letters. I personally think their uniforms w/the suspenders looks bad ***. I do agree that black suspenders on a brown/tan shirt would not look that great.


Ditto! I've always loved the uniforms like that with POLICE screenprinted on regular uniform shirts.

[Chit2001]

So, no one really answered my question..... Omega came close with a similar concern....

What if the Dept. doesn't issue them? I'm not an LEO yet, but I don't think anyone wears them on any of the agencies I'm looking at.... is it a matter of getting them approved? I'd really like to wear them, I think.... as it would take significant pressure/weight off the hips and back.

[Seventy2002]

Now i think that wearing black suspenders on a tan uniform (what i wear) would be hideous looking, not to mention that no way would the brass go for that.

I found this outfit the sells tan webbing (http://www.diytacticalstore.com/) and hardware. Find someone with an industrial sewing machine and make your own.

I've worn suspenders for several years and like them. They don't, BTW, take weight off your back. Look at a skeleton (http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://members.aol.com/Attic21/Anatomy/AnatPics/skeleton.gif&imgrefurl=http://members.aol.com/Attic21/Anatomy/skeleton1.html&h=760&w=381&sz=11&hl=en&start=15&tbnid=bKEwsA0eDwtfBM:&tbnh=142&tbnw=71&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dhuman%2Bskeleton%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den% 26sa%3DG) and note what our shoulders are connected to and what our hips are connected to. Our backs feel better wearing suspenders because they allow us to loosen our belts and increase range of motion. How we arrange gear on our belts is also a factor at it affects our posture when seated.

[Chit2001]

They don't, BTW, take weight off your back. Look at a skeleton (http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://members.aol.com/Attic21/Anatomy/AnatPics/skeleton.gif&imgrefurl=http://members.aol.com/Attic21/Anatomy/skeleton1.html&h=760&w=381&sz=11&hl=en&start=15&tbnid=bKEwsA0eDwtfBM:&tbnh=142&tbnw=71&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dhuman%2Bskeleton%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den% 26sa%3DG) and note what our shoulders are connected to and what our hips are connected to. Our backs feel better wearing suspenders because they allow us to loosen our belts and increase range of motion. How we arrange gear on our belts is also a factor at it affects our posture when seated.


Oh, right, right, right.... Yes, I got that.... I was more concerned about the way the duty belt sits on your hips and what the long term effects of having that weight there can do..... and if the suspenders can alleviate that or not.

I know of 3 retired LEOs who all have back problems and they have told me throughout the years that each of their doctors have told them that their problems are related to a combination of their duty bets and the "range of motion" an officer has to adapt to (many think that there's no change.... there is, most of us just don't realize it!). The change in weight compensation / distribution, etc.

I don't know, maybe I'm all wrong here..... I'm just looking to avoid the problems if I can.

[OhioHog]

(What if the Dept. doesn't issue them? I'm not an LEO yet, but I don't think anyone wears them on any of the agencies I'm looking at.... is it a matter of getting them approved? I'd really like to wear them, I think.... as it would take significant pressure/weight off the hips and back.)


No offense, but you should not be posting on this forum unless you are a sworn LEO

[Seventy2002]

Oh, right, right, right.... Yes, I got that.... I was more concerned about the way the duty belt sits on your hips and what the long term effects of having that weight there can do..... and if the suspenders can alleviate that or not.

One peer-reviewed study, Back Pain in a Large Canadian Police Force (http://www.cprc.org/tr/tr-1999-02.pdf), found no coreleation between wearing a gun belt and back pain.

A study of UK officers (http://occmed.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/reprint/48/3/153) found "car driving, both in terms of distance and hours driven, had a significant effect on self-reported low back trouble".

Both these studies note that police officers report low back pain at about the same rate as the population at large. I suspect that back pain is part of the human condition, rather than an occupational problem.

HPDwestisde has the answer: exercise.

[ateamer]

Well, I can tell you that my lower back starts hurting within 30 minutes of strapping the belt on. I have been training with weights for 27 years and have an exceptionally strong back and abs. For me, it is the belt.

[Smurfette_76]

I don't need a study to tell me what does and doesn't hurt me. They can spout statistics 'til the cows come home, but within the first year of entering LE I started having back issues. I can't move my gear around because there is no where to move it. The working out/core strength isn't my issue.

[donkeyboy]

I've worked without suspenders and with them. As long as you look into a comfortable pair of suspenders with nothing hard running across your back you'll never go back.

The weight is immediately taken off your hips, when you run your belt stays steady without flopping about as much, If you're on foot a lot the difference is amazing. The benefits aren't as noticeable in a PC all day but it does help. You can loosen your gun belt up so it doesn't drive into your stomach while sitting in the office or the PC.

I had a pair of uncle mikes nylon suspenders and they worked great for a while. As the suspenders got older and stretched out and softer from wear, the hard plastic pieces that are used to adjust the suspenders will dig into your back while sitting.

The agency I started at has almost everyone wearing suspenders, they even issue them. The agency I work for now tried to laugh me out of wearing them but they got over it eventually and quite a few were curious about the benefits of suspenders. At the former agency, some guys had military 'Alice' LC-1 suspenders they rigged up to work with a police gun belt. Keep in mind that this area is 99.9% external body armor, so you can hide suspenders that may be a little too outlandish for some dress codes. Also, suspenders worn over a shirt and armor can be grabbed by the bad guys.

[Chit2001]

Thank you!

That very clearly answers my questions/concerns.

Good to know.

[11b101abn]

Ditto! I've always loved the uniforms like that with POLICE screenprinted on regular uniform shirts.

:confused: I've only seen it on the jumpsuits, not the regular uniforms.

FWIW: I wear my Orca suspenders off and on with my nylon rig. Works like a champ. I have had no issues w/ my COC. I wore that combo for a local festival and the Chief and Deputy Chief both liked them as well as my nylon gear.

I am getting more and more tired of looking like a toy soldier when I jock up for work. I like the more business kind of appearance that the suspenders give me, as well as the comfort benefits.

If the dept places more value on appearance that function, they are negligent and probably incompetent.

[lifesaver1]

http://www.tdlabs.com/catalog.htm

If suspenders are out check out this 3 in 1 system that give more lumbar support for the equipment we carry. I like it, and think it is worth it as I look at the prospect of a 25 yr carrier. Some say they don’t notice a difference but back pain is cumulative. So look at it for your self.

[paragrunt]

I put together a really nice presentation regarding duty suspenders from information gained here, Policeone, and other sites and asked a LT. on our dept. to look at it. He thought it's a great idea and it's just plain common sense. HOWEVER, he said our captain of patrol services would never go for it. He further said that if I wore them anyway, and went and got a Dr.'s Prescription, that it was nice working with me. Meaning that captain would say that due to that I would be unfit for the road and need to be reassigned (read busted) back into the jail. Ohhhh well, I'm getting the Orca's anyway. I had read in here awhile back about wearing them under the uniform. I think I'll give that a try. I'll let yall know how that works.

[ateamer]

Get a lawyer. If the captain wants to be an ***, show him up in court for the incompetent fool that he is.

[tkronas]

The HWC Suspenders are the highest quality and most comfortable suspenders that I have seen and worn. They are only available in a few places. www.mps-outfitters.com carries them.

[chickenwing750]

check out the back defender web sight.....i think it is backdefensesystems.com.....it is an under the shirt suspender system and it is awsome...i have been wearing it for about 2 weeks and my lower back pain is gone. my dep would not let me wear outside suspenders. they still dont know i wear these

[GoldBadge]

Perry suspenders are great. Those of us who worked protective details swear by them - holds up all your stuff.

http://www.perrysuspenders.com/persus2widre.html

[drkknght]

http://www.leedway.com/product/5301TS-0350BK/KW_Nylon_Duty_Suspender_System.html

Best pair of suspenders mad in my opinion been wearing them for two years and still have no hip or back problems.

[R.A.B.]

Have you guys seen the suspenders that the Lakewood PD Officers wear? (I think in Pierce County, WA). They are always on Cops and "POLICE" is on the back of their black shirts in big white letters. I personally think their uniforms w/the suspenders looks bad ***. I do agree that black suspenders on a brown/tan shirt would not look that great.

I wear mine from time to time and they are great at taking the weight off of the lower back and hips. I wear the exact same ones, with the exact same jumpsuit that this guy thinks is so bad *** :cool::D. So the black on tan might look a little hokey, go speak with a tailor, or the uniform supply company to see it they can figure out a way to do it through the shirt for you. I know I can have my jumpsuits customised in anyway I like by the manufacturer, but they ar dark navy blue, so no point in me having done.