Police Equipment Quality and Budget Constraints

These days, the range and variety of police equipment available seems limited only by the imagination and the budget. Cost often determines choice or at least limits the choice to be made. The old saying “You get what you pay for” is true but does not always dictate quality. The idea that if it costs more, it must be better does not hold up upon examination.

It is rare now a days when an agency will reimburse an officer for the full cost of duty equipment. Typically an officer will be reimbursed anywhere from one third to one half of the total amount spent on duty equipment. In some cases no reimbursement at all, depending on the agency. In addition, the officer will probably be limited by agency policy to brand names the brass approves off. There may be a better option available, and even cheaper, but when it comes to police equipment if the brass did not think of it, it probably is not on the approved list.

While the vast majority of quality duty equipment is not cheap, decent quality equipment can still be purchased at reasonable cost. It may be required to piece meal a perfect duty rig that the officer likes and meets the department’s policy at the same time. Sometimes a full police equipment duty rig of acceptable quality can be purchased at a discount that makes everyone happy. The biggest drawback is that the discounted police equipment duty rig may not be exactly what is required. Police equipment such as the holster, while being of exceptional quality may not meet department policy. It may lack the security level required by the department or has some other problem. Some other part of the specified police equipment on the discounted duty rig may not match the standard, as well.

When purchasing police equipment it is always a sound idea to make sure the specifications meet the standards set by the department. In other words, will the construction and the material used stand up to the day in and day out rigors of patrol or other duty the officer has been assigned. Just because duty equipment is cheaper than some other brand does not mean it is inferior. Just make sure it meets department policy. Be sure to look at the manufacturers specifications on a piece of duty equipment being considered for purchase. The cheaper option may very well be made out of the same material and equivalent construction standards as more expensive duty equipment. More expensive is not always better.