Utility belt... whats in yours?

meathmannn · 12-04-2009 12:58PM #1

There's a saying in police circles that the longer your a cop, the bigger your belt gets, but you carry less gear!!

A student asked me to do a list of what to carry, here's what I gave him... what about the rest of ye?

Big pouch
Note book
2 pens
business cards
post its
free tourist maps
Tissues

Cuff pouch
Cuffs
3 pairs of gloves

First aid pouch
Face shield (for cpr)
Anadin
plasters
wipes
paper stitches
seat belt cutter
small uv light
small magnifying glass
Lighter

Small knife pouch
Small knife(obviously!)

Torch holder
Contains lenser torch after dark

Extra cuff holder
Spare cuffs

Non issue Sidebreak asp holder
containing asp

I also carry (in pockets)
more gloves (ass pocket)

Phone with large memory card for communications and taking photos of crashes etc.
Money

Mini torch, badge+ money in vest pocket

More wipes and phone earphones inside vest(yep that zip is great for hiding stuff away)
and cuff key on chain from trouser loop

mcguiver · 12-04-2009 01:09PM

Jebus!
Someone who carrys more stuff than me!
I go through phases of not wearing utility belt, just 2 sets of cuffs and asp with gloves in a pocket.

I know one ex army medic who carries a field dressing, I suppose it makes sense.

I always find it's handy to have about 20feet of crime scene tape rolled tightly (it's about the siize of a large marker). It makes life easier when you need to shut a road/doorway etc.

Satan Polaroid · 12-04-2009 01:13PM

Bloody hell! Talk about coming prepared

I only have an asp and handcuffs on my belt, and gloves in my pocket.

At night, I cary my torch in my hand.

mcguiver · 12-04-2009 01:21PM

I know a taskie that carries a climbing rope in the car!!

and have any of ye seen the screw on asp torch accessory!!!

(you know who you are... I'm just jealous cos I dont have one!)

Hooch · 12-04-2009 02:10PM

mcguiver wrote: »

Jebus!
Someone who carrys more stuff than me!
I go through phases of not wearing utility belt, just 2 sets of cuffs and asp with gloves in a pocket.

I know one ex army medic who carries a field dressing, I suppose it makes sense.

Ya as an EMT i always carry an ambulance dressing with me.

mcguiver wrote: »

I know a taskie that carries a climbing rope in the car!!

and have any of ye seen the screw on asp torch accessory!!!

(you know who you are... I'm just jealous cos I dont have one!)

Ya have seen them....but much prefer the leaverage cap for that extra wallop!!!:D

As for the rope, I have 70ft of certified rope in my booth, plus a throwbag, plus flares, plus a large trauma bag!!!

As for the list above I think most newer members come out with full belts, but most only last a few weeks and they dont re fill them:D.

I can only add a leatherman to that list. Very handy tool!

source · 12-04-2009 03:05PM

Led lenser torch,
radio pouch
gerber multi-tool (one of the most used items on my belt)
first aid pouch, with gloves and mouth to mouth mask
notebook pouch, with notebook and gra diary
handcuff pouch with asp hinged handcuffs
large handcuff key on a retracting reel
baton in asp sidebreak scabbard

pens and small blacklight for checking money and driving licences in pocket of stab vest.

It seems to be working so far.

TheNog · 12-04-2009 05:23PM

Holy crap I thought I was bad with all my gear

Led Torch
Mini Maglite for car searches
Asp
Notebook
Cuffs
Radio - only good within 2 miles of the station

gdamedic · 12-04-2009 08:05PM

Big pouch
Note book
interpreting Guide that i was handed one day
business cards
post its
pen
EMS Shears (Very handy for cutting things)
cards to say FCPS has been issued
a few small evidence bags (also for first aid purposes)

open top Cuff pouch x 2
Cuffs x2

First aid pouch
Face shield (for cpr)
plasters
wipes

Small torch normally on the belt
Official issue torch comes out at night
the orange cone occasionally

Asp Holder
Asp

Official Cuff pouch
Lots of Gloves

Clip for Tetra radio
(Will contain tetra radio as of wednesday)

2 x handcuff keys

Clip on Light, one click for uv, two clicks for light

Earpiece for radio

Phone for when the old radio didn't work

chewing gum

cpstears · 13-04-2009 10:43AM

VEST POCKET
Note book & Diary
business cards in back of notebook
pen blue & black

Carry these in back pocket on station duties

DUTY BELT FROM RIGHT TO LEFT

ASP Open Top Cuff Holder
ASP Hinge Cuffs

Radio Pouch
Control Set
(to be removed on TETRA)

LARGE TORCH HOLDER
Official issue torch at night time

FIRST AID POUCH
Face shield (for cpr)
plasters
wipes
two small drugs collection bag folded tight

MULTI-TOOL POUCH
Victorinox Multi tool

SMALL TORCH HOLDER
Small Led Lenser Torch

ASP Sidebreak Holder
ASP

SV · 13-04-2009 02:08PM

happyhappy wrote: »

god i'm the poor district, i lost my utility belt years and didn't get a new one. actually come to think of it i'm using a rope to hold my trousers up too.:D:D

That's all part of the cutbacks

djtechnics1210 · 13-04-2009 05:41PM

I used never wear equipment belt, cause there useless.
They wreck your head when your driving, running, going over walls etc etc.

Best thing i ever bought was a good pair of magnum boots.

Used to keep all that other "gucci" gear that everyone puts on their equipment belts into a bag in boot of patrol car.

Hooch · 13-04-2009 05:42PM

djtechnics1210 wrote: »

I used never wear equipment belt, cause there useless.
They wreck your head when your driving, running, going over walls etc etc.

Best thing i ever bought was a good pair of magnum boots.

Used to keep all that other "gucci" gear that everyone puts on their equipment belts into a bag in boot of patrol car.

Thats cause your a bbbbrrrrrrrranch man!!! (spit spit spit:D)

djtechnics1210 · 13-04-2009 05:49PM

This bag in the boot is better than any equipment belt...
save all ye lads from getting a bad back carrying around all that stuff on yer belts

http://www.niton999.co.uk/products.expanded.asp?product=3608&productname=Hatch-D1-Patrol-Duty-Bag-(HAD1-BAG)

CharlieCroker · 13-04-2009 09:47PM

Great website, just spent the last hour looking at it!!!

Hooch · 13-04-2009 09:52PM

CharlieCroker wrote: »

Great website, just spent the last hour looking at it!!!

Same here!! Good call dj. Bag is a good idea man!

Charlie you never entered the online chat to talk to us dude!!!

cushtac · 13-04-2009 10:48PM

Niton seem to have a problem taking credit card payments from Ireland, anyone I know who's tried to buy from them has had to do so by bank transfer.

Hooch · 13-04-2009 10:50PM

cushtac wrote: »

Niton seem to have a problem taking credit card payments from Ireland, anyone I know who's tried to buy from them has had to do so by bank transfer.

Thats a pain...and i was thinking of buying one or two things!!!

djtechnics1210 · 14-04-2009 01:50AM

I used pay pal, worked fine.

cushtac · 14-04-2009 01:58AM

djtechnics1210 wrote: »

I used pay pal, worked fine.

They've been refusing pay pal too as recently as last month.

djtechnics1210 · 14-04-2009 03:00AM

didn't know that cushtac..
Their gonna lose a lot of business cause of it though.

D22 · 14-04-2009 10:37AM

wrote:

Big pouch
Note book
2 pens
business cards
post its
free tourist maps
Tissues

Cuff pouch
Cuffs
3 pairs of gloves

First aid pouch
Face shield (for cpr)
Anadin
plasters
wipes
paper stitches
seat belt cutter
small uv light
small magnifying glass
Lighter

Small knife pouch
Small knife(obviously!)

Torch holder
Contains lenser torch after dark

Extra cuff holder
Spare cuffs

Non issue Sidebreak asp holder
containing asp

I also carry (in pockets)
more gloves (ass pocket)

Phone with large memory card for communications and taking photos of crashes etc.
Money

Mini torch, badge+ money in vest pocket

More wipes and phone earphones inside vest(yep that zip is great for hiding stuff away)
and cuff key on chain from trouser loop

Just wondering, based on a list like the above what would a Garda have to put his hand in his own pocket for? OR is all that stuff issued to you?

I've never been in a job that I got all my relevant tools handed to me and for some reason, i imagine AGS will be the same.

Hooch · 14-04-2009 12:52PM

D22 wrote: »

Just wondering, based on a list like the above what would a Garda have to put his hand in his own pocket for? OR is all that stuff issued to you?

I've never been in a job that I got all my relevant tools handed to me and for some reason, i imagine AGS will be the same.

You'll be issued with a n offical utility belt wit andcuff pouch, radio holder, first aid pouch, back support, notebook holder (or ticket holder as i knew it), light holder and an asp holder

In turn to fill this you will be issued cuffs, asp, offical notebook, first aid stuff and a light.

You'll end up buying some stuff but thats personal choice like magnum boots, leatherman multi tool, a proper flashlight!!, a back up flash light, spare cuffs, proper side break asp scabard etc etc

donvito99 · 14-04-2009 01:41PM

New Garda utility belt.

Hooch · 14-04-2009 01:44PM

donvito99 wrote: »

New Garda utility belt.

How come i didnt get a shiny buckle like that!!!!

D22 · 14-04-2009 03:36PM

nice guy always wrote: »

You'll be issued with a n offical utility belt wit andcuff pouch, radio holder, first aid pouch, back support, notebook holder (or ticket holder as i knew it), light holder and an asp holder

In turn to fill this you will be issued cuffs, asp, offical notebook, first aid stuff and a light.

You'll end up buying some stuff but thats personal choice like magnum boots, leatherman multi tool, a proper flashlight!!, a back up flash light, spare cuffs, proper side break asp scabard etc etc

Cool, tbh thats what I figured. For things like spare cuffs n lights, would you ever get pulled up on having non-issued stuff. Obviously I dont know whats what yet but say you bought and carried a "better" set of ASP / S&W cuffs that were never standard issue?

Would members normally buy spare ASP batons also?

Hooch · 14-04-2009 03:43PM

D22 wrote: »

Cool, tbh thats what I figured. For things like spare cuffs n lights, would you ever get pulled up on having non-issued stuff. Obviously I dont know whats what yet but say you bought and carried a "better" set of ASP / S&W cuffs that were never standard issue?

Would members normally buy spare ASP batons also?

I would strongly advise not buying a similar item to what is issued. If you are issued Asp cuffs i would recommend staying with them, you cannot ever get into trouble as Asp will stand over them and your training.

As for an Asp baton, all AGS batons are numbered and have a crest on the tail cap. You wont need a spare Asp. Spare cuffs come into effect when you lift someone and they are taken to the station in the van and you are still on the beat. You have an extra set as yours are gone to the station. Also handy when arresting more than one person like at a nightclub with doorstaff help.

S&W are the best chain type handcuffs available. Hiatts are another AGS issued, and they are now issuing Asp simi rigid cuffs.

You'll find your feet on phase 2 +4 and decide for yourself

CharlieCroker · 14-04-2009 05:26PM

nice guy always wrote: »

Charlie you never entered the online chat to talk to us dude!!!

Did i miss something?? quite possible I wasn't paying attention or asleep!!:p

Jack O'Neill · 15-04-2009 06:03PM

Had difficulty with Notion999 myself, not the greatest!

I would recommend ecop on ebay for gear.

Although they are in America, I have dealt with them a good bit for gear and always found them brilliant.

http://stores.ebay.ie/Ecop-Police-Supply

try Chocopaw - great value for torches. (have you converted your maglite to LED?)

or http://stores.ebay.ie/Chocopaw_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQfsubZQ2d33QQftidZ2QQtZkm

Jack O'Neill · 15-04-2009 06:24PM

Better than a Utility Belt...discuss?

http://www.patrolstore.com/Protec-Overt-Equipment-Mini-Vest-p-11859.html

yayamark · 15-04-2009 08:30PM

I have a bag that i leave in the car and use a utility belt aswell.

deadwood · 15-04-2009 10:13PM

yayamark wrote: »

I have a bag that i leave in the car . . . .

Now, now.

They fulfil a vital role in a modern police force (it's the 20th century man, get with it) and get paid almost as much as male members.

Utility belt... whats in yours?

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