Police Equipment
Being a law enforcement official entails knowledge of the law and procedures, certain physical capabilities and intensive training in both. In addition to know-how and training received, an officer needs the right police equipment to perform his or her job safely and effectively. Police equipment ranges from a basic uniform and badge, to an officer's weapons and restraining devices. Advancements in technology has evolved police equipment into safer, easier to manage gear. For example, various types of armor such as Kevlar safeguard police officers from bullet wounds and shrapnel injuries while being lightweight enough to not interfere with agility. There are several standard pieces of police equipment which all law enforcement officials carry, but also available are more specialized types of police equipment tailored for specific functions and special operations. For instance, the police equipment worn by a Drug Enforcement Swat team while raiding a suspected crack house is much more extensive and high tech than that worn by a street cop patrolling his or her beat. Full body armor, pepper spray and sometimes shields may be utilized for more dangerous and large scaled operations. There are several different kinds of body armor police can wear including stab proof jackets and bullet proof jackets.
Police equipment is a costly undertaking and sometimes individual police departments are unable to purchase all required items. Law enforcement agencies may then turn to the community for donations and assistance in procuring the necessary police equipment needed to safeguard the community. Charity dinners and dances may be held to raise proceeds for police equipment while phone drives asking for donations are also sometimes initiated. As technology advances and makes police equipment safer and more effective than ever, it also drives the cost of manufacturing and purchasing these items much higher than ever before experienced. However, with the high tech weapons being used by gangs and drug dealers, the need for advanced police equipment is more crucial than ever.