Have you ever been on patrol or in the middle of an investigation and thought, I wish a product existed that allowed me to do this task even better? If you answered Yes, you’re not alone. While many in law enforcement simply wish for a product to be developed, others take up the task of creating the item themselves. In fact, some of the best law enforcement products to come to market stem from LEOs like yourself who have a challenge or an issue that can’t be solved by current offerings.
1. Direct traffic with better visibility
When Deidre Goodwin was nearly struck by a vehicle while directing traffic, she knew there had to be a better way to increase her own visibility. “I was wearing gloves that my agency provided, but they did not work because drivers kept yelling that they couldn’t see my hands,” she says. “I went out looking for gloves that were more visible, durable, reflective, tactical and lightweight and they did not exist.” So Goodwin sold her house, cashed out her 401k and HALTZGLOVES was born. “My law enforcement friends gave input and feedback while in research and development,” she says. “It was vital that these gloves did not impede us while doing our job.” The HALTZGLOVES lineup includes nighttime and daytime full gloves and half gloves.
2. Stay dry under body armor
United Tactical Gear launched its breakthrough baselayer, CoolShield, which improves on the comfort of a moisture-wicking t-shirt with elongated, vertical ribs, three in front and two in back. It is made to be worn under armor, in place of the usual t-shirt or turtleneck. CoolShield’s flexible, lightweight rib material creates spaces between vest and skin that promote ventilation, moisture transfer and temperature regulation. It makes wearing armor more comfortable and reduces chafing, perspiration and odor. CoolShield works in all climates with standard or external carriers.
CoolShield does not compromise armor’s function in any way and results show it can reduce backface pressure in some cases. Ballistic testing by an independent, NIJ-accredited ballistic lab has resulted in CoolShield achieving certification when worn in conjunction with Level II-A armor. CoolShield has been awarded Member Tested and Recommended status by the members of the National Tactical Officers Association.
3. Test sobriety easily
LEOs can use the new Field Sobriety Test Mat for educational efforts or for real field sobriety testing. The Field Sobriety Test Mat can be used with or without impairment goggles for officers doing demonstrations in the community, or even for training new recruits at the academy. It could also be used for real testing with impaired drivers as it would eliminate any issues with not having a “straight line” on the street or highway.
Three simple tasks—picking up change, car keys and a cell phone—can be performed, followed by the heel-to-toe walk the line test and the one-legged stand field sobriety test. For use in educational purposes, the first time the participant can be “sober” and the second time “impaired” while wearing the Drunk Busters Goggles.
“As a long time law enforcement officer myself, I could also see the mat actually being used for real field sobriety testing on the road,” says Curt Kindschuh, founder and owner of Drunk Busters of America, LLC. “Simply roll out the mat, and you have a perfectly straight line as well as “footprints” for the suspected DUI offender to put his/her shoes in for the one-legged stand test.”
4. Use a discreet sling bag
Designed by the CEO of Eastern Beacon Industries, Ron Weaver, the Sling Bag is part of Eastern Beacon Industries’ active shooter protection line of Lodestar Rapid Action Packs. Weaver, a recent retiree from the Los Angeles Police Department, has 27 years of law enforcement experience.
Designed for the law enforcement officer, the Sling Bag is very plain and sleek in appearance. “The typical tactical bag on the market is loaded with buckles and webbing and screams for attention. You don’t want to draw attention to yourself during an armed encounter or mass shooting,” says Weaver. The Sling Bag allows the officer to carry a sub machine gun or full size pistol discreetly. But more importantly it provides the officer with ballistic protection from rifles, handguns and edged weapons. The bag contains a lightweight ballistic plate made by American Blast Systems that weighs just 1.6 pounds.
The bag is carried on the back like a traditional sling bag and once a threat is encountered, the bag is quickly pulled to the front of the body. The plate inside the bag protects the center mass.
6. Light up the dark
7. Share documents with ease
Law enforcement agencies as well as prosecutor and district attorney offices are faced with an increasing demand for digital files and evidence. The Law Share File Sharing system created by Mike Coppola, an active chief of police for the Palisades Interstate Parkway Police Department in New Jersey, makes moving documents, evidence, videos and cases simple and fast.
“There has always been a need for agencies to share documents with each other and more so case management with the prosecuting attorneys that oversee them,” says Coppola. “Seeing the need with my own agency, I knew that something like this is exactly what others needed.” With Law Share, it is easy to share documents between agencies and prosecuting/district attorneys with just a click, upload documents from the field with included mobile apps, create download-only links you can share for public record and discovery requests.
9. Eliminate bulky traffic cones
10. Lightweight, compact collapsible stock
11. Personalize your badges
The new V.H. Blackinton & Co., Inc. remembrance badge was created in May 2017, in unison with the Methuen, Mass., PD. “Methuen PD wanted a badge that their officers could wear during the month of May, and at Police Week, in remembrance of the fallen,” says Sharyn Dunn, marketing manager. The badge is versatile and can be personalized to an agency’s needs. “We can use our Breast Cancer Pink or St. Patrick’s Day green as a background color. The lines across the badge can be customized as well.”
