| Law enforcement officers' job is filled with | | | | little different, the lock is basically the |
| dangers and risks. The police equipment that | | | | same as the one Addams invented. Due to the |
| an officer of the law carries around as part | | | | fact that some suspects have acquired the |
| of his job might be just the thing that helps | | | | skill to open the cuffs without a key, change |
| his or her life when confronting offenders | | | | is now needed in the design and materials |
| who do not comply with the officer's orders. | | | | used for handcuffs. As a result, new designs |
| There are a lot of pieces that make the | | | | of handcuffs are being developed by |
| police equipment of an officer complete like | | | | manufacturers which use a lock that is harder |
| holsters and clipboards and many more. An | | | | to manipulate. Also, the materials used are |
| important piece in the police equipment is | | | | stronger. That makes cuffs more difficult to |
| the belt. | | | | open and the suspect will find it nearly |
| | | | impossible to escape. |
| Some time ago the duty belt did not carry as | | | | |
| many items as it does now. In the past the | | | | Another important part of law enforcement |
| holster and firearm, the baton and one more | | | | equipment that sets the police officers apart |
| piece or two were all the belt of the law | | | | from the general population is the uniform or |
| enforcement equipment had to carry around, as | | | | apparel. The production of uniforms has known |
| compared to today's belts that are sometimes | | | | an impressive progress over the past years |
| required to carry up to 15 pounds of police | | | | because the need for better security of the |
| equipment. Because of the large amount of | | | | police officers is always growing. Even |
| things that need to be carried around, the | | | | though the functionality of police equipment |
| belt must be manufactured from a strong | | | | is primary, recent uniforms follow up on |
| material that supports the weight of the | | | | fashion trends as well as combining a nice |
| entire law enforcement equipment. But it | | | | aspect with work features. The functionality |
| should not be too stiff or restrictive, | | | | of law enforcement equipment is heightened by |
| because an ill-fitting belt can become reason | | | | present technology. Some of the features that |
| for fatigue, back pain, bruising, thus | | | | can only help the police officers are |
| turning into a health hazard. Nowadays, with | | | | moisture management, UV reduction, bacteria |
| the joining of more and more women to the | | | | fighting and stain resistance. These things |
| police force, the belt has suffered a lot of | | | | can be embedded in the fabrics and they do |
| changes in order to be adapted to fit all | | | | not alter the looks of the uniforms at all. |
| officers. If the belt is too big, it becomes | | | | |
| difficult for the officer to move and if it's | | | | There have been many debates on whether |
| too small it may disturb the officer when | | | | including these types of advance technology |
| quick movement is required. | | | | in the uniforms will help, because some say |
| | | | that the uniforms have served their purpose |
| The belt is not the only thing in the law | | | | in the past without these features as well. |
| enforcement equipment that suffered changes. | | | | But others think that including these |
| The police equipment that the belt carries | | | | advances can help a police officer do his or |
| has started to be custom manufactured to fit | | | | her job better and prevent some unwanted |
| the belt of a police officer. Subsequently, | | | | negative health conditions. As long as it |
| the gear of a police officer is made much | | | | does not interfere with the looks of the |
| smaller in order to be less aggravating for | | | | uniform that distinguish officers from the |
| the carrier, like batons and spray cans and | | | | general population, the only things that |
| more. These things are meant to be helpful to | | | | technology can do is help. How much of these |
| the police officer. Another important piece | | | | technologies should be used is a question of |
| in law enforcement equipment that is used to | | | | personal preference. Even for those officers |
| restrain offenders is handcuffs. | | | | that follow fashion trends there are a lot of |
| | | | uniforms that combine functionality with |
| Handcuffs that are now used have been first | | | | style. Besides that, given the fact that all |
| developed in the 1800's by W.A. Addams. He | | | | uniforms have to be approved before they can |
| tried to obtain something that would restrain | | | | be used, the combination of functionality and |
| suspects by immobilizing their hands with a | | | | fashion can only do one thing and that is to |
| device that would open with a small key. Even | | | | help the officers. |
| though the looks of the handcuffs are a | | | | |