Posted: 12/17/2006 9:41:18 PM EDT
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My unit has a meeting with the powers-that-be to discuss several different uniform options. Right now we are in class A's and they are not real practical for what we do. We have several different options that we are going to pitch such as BDU's (1st choice), 5.11 TDU pants with a Polo shirt (2nd choice) etc. The other Officer and I that have been elected to do the presentation have several valid arguments which we plan to use with one exception. Several members of the unit want us to try and get drop leg holsters approved. Our SWAT and SORT guys are authorized to wear them so they are not unheard of in my dept. The problem is I have no valid arguments in favor of them.....I just don't have a clue having only worn one once during a warrant sweep and it was borrowed from one of our SWAT guys. Other than the old "it helps your pistol clear heavy armor" (which we don't wear) argument, anyone have any arguments that we can use with the administration?? |
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I have some experience with drop holsters in the sandbox. We had a bunch of guys(including me) abandon the idea after spending a bunch of hours driving. The dismounted advantages- mainly comfort, as well as clearing the interceptor armor- didn't outweigh the discomfort when driving for hours. I would seriously try one out in your standard cruiser for comfort and utility before going further. Try drawing seated, and take into consideration the giant sweat mark on your leg from the summer heat. We mostly used the drop holsters on gates and other dismounted duties, if the guy didn't have a decent shoulder rig. In my opinion, they are a special-purpose rig, and not really suited for everyday duty. I'd hate to see everyone issued one because some office dweeb(not referring to you, just the guys who end up making these decisions) ordered them on "cool factor" alone. The 'tuck in' type BDUs are a good choice, though. All the corrections guys in my unit love them. They used to have dry clean only class 'A's. |
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General opinion on the matter is that the more laid-back 5.11 uniform with the polo shirt gets a better response in the community policing ethic. I personally think that the 5.11 look is on the verge of being unprofessional - but then again, when I first got into LE - I was spit-shining my low quarters and starching seams into my cotton-poly blend shirts. Call it old school, but I detest the 5.11 junk I am currently wearing as I write this post. Comfortable? Yes. Professional giving at least the impression of a command presence? No. Drop-leg holsters? Been though this discussion at my department. The main reason drop-leg or thigh holsters are not used is because the general public would view them as more intimidating than your regular duty holster. In LE, you know that what the public thinks might aw well be the Word of God. Additionally, the nylon drop-leg platform would need to be replaced more frequently than the handy-dandy, jacket-slot, triple-retention, bulky, over-priced Safariland leather POS you are probably wearing right now (or Bianchi in my case). |
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I really don't like officers wearing BDUs on regular patrol. Some of our guys have pitched the idea and it was shot down in short order. What exactly is it you do, that a regular uniform is not working? Here are our uniform rules: Regular uniform shirt, short or long sleeve Regular uniform pants or 5.11 class B pants (the ones with the cargo pockets) Black tee shirt and no tie. In cold weather you can substitute the black tee for a black dickie or turtleneck For court or special detail, no class B pants and must have on a tie. Bike or island patrol, cargo shorts (black) embroidered polo shirts. Cold weather bike/island, can substitute the shorts for 5.11 tac pants. A few things I find that look unprofessional or tacky: BDU's on patrol officers White tee shits sticking out from behind ties Gun or hand cuff tie tacks "Flare" i.e. tons of achievement pins on the right breast. One or two is fine but some guys end up looking like chinese generals. Believe me no one thinks your that important. As far as drop leg holsters, there are some disadvantages that I see. One you can toss a lot of your weapons retention training out the door, as a majority of it will not work the same with the holster being so low. Not to mention they constantly pull your pant leg up and your belt down. Will say the safariland ones are not so bad at that though. I have one more question for you, but please, please, please to not take this as a dig or anything, I'm not ripping you. How old are you and how long have you been on? |
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The uniform choices werent the question. I don't care to wear a drop leg, I'm content with my holster choice. After the 18 people in the unit chose me and one other to make the proposal to our admin. I thought I would try and do right by them and get what they want approved. I had to double check that I didn't post this question on Glocktalk. Having lurked around here for quite awhile I figured some people here would be able to answer my question, but alas I should have remembered the other threads on here about "different uniforms" and how they turned out. BTW 37/8yrs. on, and I do think that you had some kinda dig brewing. ETA: Thanks to the guys that have answered my original question. I think this might have all been my fault, I should have just asked "Are there any advantages to the drop-leg holster versus a regular holster?". |
What I was going for was to remind you that young officers are often seen by administrators as "brash". If you had answered my question as 21/ 6mons on, I would have recommended that you have one of your older officers make the presentation, I have faced the same thing and still continue to do so at my dept ( age discrimination is real ) . So I'm not saying it's fair. What has worked for me in the past is to try and get an older officer with more clout to lean my my. I seem to have gotten further doing that. You seem to be getting a little hostel about not getting the answers you thought you would. maybe I'm interpreting your post wrong, but that reaction is not going to get you anywhere with the brass. Also what is this "unit"? you are in, maybe we have something similar that I can compare it to, then I can let you know how they were able to make the changes they wanted. |
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Our class B uniform for winter is the same long sleeve shirt with a mock turtleneck replacing the necktie and the 5.11 BDU pants. Our wool pants are more comfortable and durable but I can carry latex gloves, vionex, and my spare flashlight in my left BDU pantleg pocket. I also carry my pocket folder clipped to the R/H side. It took a big change in culture to accept the BDU pants as we are still wearing the French Blue shirts with the silver buttons. |