Lesser-known Police Equipment
Since the work of the police often revolves around a lot of cuts and wounds and bloodshed, a first aid kit can be useful police equipment. Many companies make these first aid kits of various levels which come in handy for policemen on their patrol duty or when involved in crime investigation. While smaller kits may contain things like blood-clotting agents, roll bandage, triangular bandage, surgical tape, cover sponges, ABD pads, and gloves, larger kits may contain in addition things like tourniquet, airway lubricant, trauma shears, or combat medic tape.
Tactical police jackets are police equipment that can be used during bad weather or while working in comparatively less hygienic areas. Such tactical jackets come in many patterns. An example is a four-in-one jacket, which is a waterproof jacket that can resist water borne and blood borne pathogens like leeches. Inner fleece jackets that can be removed or worn separately, and a detachable hood, are among the other features of this tactical jacket.
Earmuffs or other provisions for hearing protection are also necessary police equipment. Police vehicles screech while they flash past other vehicles on the road. While the shrill sound is uncomfortable enough for other drivers, those driving the vehicle have to put up with the sound all throughout and this makes hearing protection devices a must for policemen.
Free size glowing gloves are another interesting police equipment. These are stretchable half size gloves that fit almost everyone and are highly visible both during day and at night. The gloves use retro-reflective material that makes it glow in such a way that the palm becomes visible to a distance of up to a mile. The glove helps in communicating with motorists during traffic direction, and also helps in search and rescue operations. While storing, these gloves have to be stored with palms facing each other, and have to be protected from extreme heat and cold.
Portable DNA testing units are perhaps among the least known police equipment because as of now, they hardly exist and are only being conceived. DNA testing is an important part of forensics nowadays, but police do not always get the results of DNA testing as fast as they require it to proceed with the case. To expedite the process, it will be helpful if police can have police equipment in the form of a portable DNA testing device referred to as a 'lab-on-a-chip'. Though something like that is used in screening samples of disease causing bacteria, it is as yet of limited use in the forensic field where the police need it.