Gothamist: Tasers May Cause Drop in Fatalities, Pants

Spiritof76

Sun, 15 Jun 2008 17:55:09 -0500

Good info. So nice to have a comments section where there's actual discussion and information rather than vapid trolling and race-baiting. According to that Wikipedia article, NJ state police still wear the Browne belt daily. One more reason to do away with gunbelts: they can be clumsy during foot pursuits with all those large, heavy, dangling things flopping around. I can see four items in that photo that could bounce around as they ran: gun, escape mask, Taser and radio.

Dave Hogarty

Sun, 15 Jun 2008 16:37:18 -0500

I also think the MA State Police incorporate that across-the-chest belt design in their dress uniform. Of course, dress uniforms are not the problem. It's the stuff that cops have to wear every single day on duty that becomes an encumbrance.

sadpanda

Sun, 15 Jun 2008 16:28:29 -0500

but does anyone remember back in the 60s that some foreign police uniforms had a cross-body leather strap connected to the belt to help hold up the gun holster? The belt is called a Sam Browne belt and is still used by many armed agencies (including Italian Police dress uniforms, I believe). It was also a favorite of the Nazis. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Browne_belt

Spiritof76

Sun, 15 Jun 2008 12:58:56 -0500

Whoops. Should have read the Post article. One cop actually says it's hard to sit in a car while wearing a jam-packed gunbelt.

Spiritof76

Sun, 15 Jun 2008 12:47:49 -0500

At almost 17 pounds, sergeants may want to add suspenders to their uniforms along with those Tasers. Maybe not suspenders, but does anyone remember back in the 60s that some foreign police uniforms had a cross-body leather strap connected to the belt to help hold up the gun holster? Or NYPD can really get avant garde. Send out an RFP for a tactical cargo vest design for beat cops. Something like the military, SWAT or even fishing vests, but lighter, cooler and more breathable. That way, the radio can be more easily accessed in a pocket high near a shoulder and the gun can be in a secure cross draw holster in front where it can be pulled faster. It can't be fun trying to get into a cruiser with all that junk dangling behind your back. The bat-belt look is so passé.