Best products from r/AskLEO

ok night shift for 8 years here, I got you bro!

1. Blackout curtains
   
   
2. window air conditioner (one that doesnt let light in) cool air helps you sleep
   
   
3. box fan (box fans are the loudest, you're going to want the white noise)
   
   
4. Melatonin (5-10 mg, walmart has these in chewable and amazon subscription will deliver 90 to your door every month)
   
   
5. get a bottle of equate (or walgreens) brand diphenhydramine (it's funny that my spellcheck wants to make this into methamphetamine, only on a cops pc!), no more than 2 per sleep, or you'll never metabolize it all
   
   
6. nightcap of choice, (I alternate between whiskey on the rocks and decent quality beer, pick your poision)
   
   
7. Netflix something boring (documentaries work for me) with your tv timer set for about 30 minutes, (dont youtube, that's interesting and wont make you tired)(lately pbs has nova and nature specials. NERD!
   
   
8. espresso is cheaper than energy drinks. look into finely ground coffee and an espresso machine. I found a Delonghi at sams club for $99 on sale. but this is about as close as you'll get to that now. Delonghi is a good brand.
   
   
9. wear good sunglasses driving home in the sun, blue sunlight causes melatonin uptake and kills your sleepiness.
   
   Edit: Espresso. Oh and dont drink any caffine 4-6 hours before bedtime (~0700 i'm guessing) good luck brother.

A damn good flashlight. I bought myself a vizio 460 last year and they have great customer service. Light broke, no questions asked, sent me a new one. It comes with a holster that will do fine for a while. Get some rechargable batteries for it and it will never let you down. My department provides a flashlight, but it's very big and bulky. Some have been issued smaller lights, but they are still bigger than this one and this one does just as good.

Vizeri Tactical Flashlight: Precision Focusing, Cree T6, Best Versatility Accessories, Flexible Power, Lifetime Replacement, Included Lantern Diffuser & Holster https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ZAB824U/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_g6BoybTPFJVV9

Nope not at all, I actively encourage them. I was one of the people in the other thread that said a radar detector would make me more likely to write a ticket. The big difference is intent. You aren't using a dashcam to break the law, you are using it to protect yourself. Big difference to me. I own a dash cam for my personal vehicle and use it ever day. Good peace of mind to me.

http://smile.amazon.com/2-5-inch-Vehicle-Recorder-Dashboard-Camcorder/dp/B0053DDNW6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1408846794&sr=8-2&keywords=dash+cam

Safariland Duty Gear Hidden Snap Flap Top Double Handcuff Pouch (Basketweave Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000PL14YA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_DSnLDb1YPQCCZ

Just got mine in. Haven’t had a chance to even open it yet but I’ve heard good things. Also frees up belt space. I did read some people saying it won’t fit two pairs of hinged.

Fellow PNW rider here chiming in. I've found that the "waterproof" labeling on riding gear is more water-resisitant given enough time. However, getting waterproof gear (boots, jacket, pants, gloves) is a good base point. In addition to this, you'll want to look into dedicated rain shells for pants and jackets, something big enough to go over the bulky gear (I find going up one size works well). Most riders like Frogg Toggs, but I prefer shells from outdoor stores like Big5 and REI as I like to hike and can get double use. You'll want to look into a pair of over-gloves to go over your "waterproof" riding gloves, and a pair of boot covers for over your boots. With all this on, I'm basically immune to the rain excepting for the odd drip through the neck area.

I’m a female and I wore dark blue cargo pants with a black business casual sweater, a black sports coat and dark hiking boots. The female officer I did my ride along with said the way I was dressed was perfect. It was in the middle of snowy winter in Canada. If you need to buy things, I would recommend going to Mark’s. As a woman I had never been there but they have a lot of cool stuff like cargo pants and all.

Bersa thunder .380 currently with a holster kinda like this. Its ok but it twists too much on my belt. I just bought this holster but I haven't gotten it yet. I'm hoping with two points of contact it will be a bit more secure.

>Could you elaborate on how a social contract makes following laws an ethical matter?

Not on Reddit, I don't have anywhere near that kind of time.

http://smile.amazon.com/Locke-Treatises-Government-Cambridge-Political/dp/0521357306

http://smile.amazon.com/Social-Contract-Dover-Thrift-Editions/dp/0486426920

http://smile.amazon.com/Theory-Justice-John-Rawls/dp/0674000781

These three books are a great place to start. Consider me your intro to political philosophy professor.

Amazon has security stickers. Put them on the bottom or back. I bet a theif wouldn't even notice they aren't from the factory and would be pretty good evidence when you show you have the rest of the roll.

I drive cab and our owner changed the rule for that, I'm sure you already have way to much stuff, but these are the bomb.

I got sidetracked and completely forgot to say thank you for this comment, but THANK YOU, this was really helpful. (As far as the blitz attack thing, I was assuming a physical/non-sexual assault with the intent to maim.)

(Also for non-leo/crime writer folks, I came across this book that's helpful on the basics, although like most other sources it doesn't really address the investigation procedure post-crime-scene as this helpful gentleman has done.)

It really is. As a civilian, I can go pickup an extremely high-end, GoPro ready, all bells and whistles, quad-copter drone for $1,300. Or a pretty damn good one, including 720p HD video, for $300.

A pet seat-belt or harness may be the best choice for you. I also believe that it is a ticket able and a pullover able offence in NJ to have an unrestrained animal in the car. I would look into getting something like this https://www.amazon.com/HDP-Harness-Safety-Travel-System/dp/B000XKSUD6

or


http://www.1800petmeds.com/product.jsp?id=prod64430&sku=64430&AFFID=GG&ID=1726189483&adpos=1o6&creative=45746555546&device=c&matchtype=&network=g&gclid=CjwKEAjw8Jy8BRCE0pOC9qzRhkMSJABC1pvJLdzBm0y8WxR70cM9nDK5lC1plx9hPwfwEnaESO3bERoC5zjw_wcB

or

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?aid=274


or

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?aid=274

Get yourself a digital car compass if your squad car doesn't already have one, and every time you pass a street look at the sign. Make a habit of driving around roads you've never been down before when you're not busy. It's also very helpful to learn a route, get used to it, and then look at it on a map and realize how all the slight curves and bends actually end up changing the direction that you thought you were going. It's really not hard, you'll be fine.

I think most depends on your state, and facility. I worked a Medium Minimum for a couple years at the state prison level. I've also worked at a county jail spending most of my time in our high security area.

But when I was at the prison, it was come on shift, get our assignments which didn't change once you are permanently assigned unless you got annual leave, or sick call relief. But we'd go through our minor control into the actual perimeter of the facility and go by major control and get the tags for who you are replacing, and give them yours. We called them chits. They were for the equipment we would be getting, keys, cuffs, radio that was it. Then go to our assigned area and you'd give them their chits and get your equipment, a brief on how their shift went and any other issues in the unit. Then they would leave, and you would be on your own. I usually started my log, reviewed the previous log for anything that might jump out at me issue wise, or whether we got or lost inmates count wise. Then I would do my first walk through of the unit, and once that was done I would check the behavior log for the inmates, and our picture count book, which gave me the opportunity to start learning their names. If there was movement then that would be announced, as to when it opened and closed. Also write infractions, and general interactions with the inmates.

The academy will give you the basics, you should do a more in depth OJT at your facility. And one thing I can recommend is getting and reading the book Games Criminals Play: How you can profit from knowing them. Has great information, and I've seen more then one officer get manipulated my inmates, up to losing their jobs for it. Remember you have 8-12 hours a day with them, they have 24 to figure out how to screw you.

Disclaimer, I only patrol about a dozen shifts a month.

 


Pen-style cuff key in left shirt pocket, next to my Fisher Space Pen.
Rite-in-the-Rain notepad in the same pocket.
Whistle on a chain in right shirt pocket.
Good folding knife with seat belt cutter and window breaker.
Phone Charger.
Backup pocket-carry CREE LED flashlight.