whats in your belt?...

[ELACHP041094]

I am a CHP fanatic (as you probably know) I even find having to fill out a report form for an incident exciting(Is that normal?) well another factor about law enforcement that makes me want to be an officer is the duty belt, well "Whats basically on a CHP duty belt?" Is it heavy? Is it comfortable? When your shift is over to you get the urge "God I gotta get this thing off of me!"? What are your views on it? Do you find it too much? Is it just right for your needs?

[x MAIT]

Just wondered, is 041094 your birthday?

Yes the dutybelt is heavy. When I worked I had my duty weapon, extra magazines, baton, handcuffs, tape recorder, flashlight holder, keys, radio extender, and keepers (used to attach your duty belt to the flat belt on your pants). It isn't really comfortable, and you have to push things to the side when you are in a car so you don't keep getting poked in the back. On the motor you keep adjusting your baton when you get on and off. At the end of your shift you want to get everything off, not just the belt.:cool:

[Phil the Frenchy]

I saw some officers wearing 2 handcuffs cases, is it regular ?
Another point: are you allowed to use any leather gear you want than the one provided by CHP ?

[Gittinready]

I saw some officers wearing 2 handcuffs cases, is it regular ?
Another point: are you allowed to use any leather gear you want than the one provided by CHP ?

You never know when you'll need a second set, and usually when you need a second set it's not exactly practical to run back to the car to grab some flex cuffs.:smile: We are allowed to use other leather gear as long as it conforms to specific standards (basket weave with sunburst edge, etc.)

[G-Man]

Some people wear two sets of handcuffs, others just wear one. It is personal preference.

[WinnieI05]

Or some where a single hand cuff case that holds two sets of hand cuffs.

WinnieI05

[ELACHP041094]

yes 4/10/1994 is my DOB, that is a pretty cool belt! I wonder how much they would be at the swapmeet...

[x MAIT]

You never know when you'll need a second set, and usually when you need a second set it's not exactly practical to run back to the car to grab some flex cuffs.:smile: We are allowed to use other leather gear as long as it conforms to specific standards (basket weave with sunburst edge, etc.)

That reminds me. I always kept two or three flex cuffs on the inside of my duty belt, inside of some of the equipment loops, with the large part in front behind my buckle. It came in handy when I needed something extra and couldn't run back to the unit. I also carried a second set of cuffs when working graves.:cool:

[Mac]

...that is a pretty cool belt! I wonder how much they would be at the swapmeet...
Easy there, killer.....nothing good is going to come out of you running around in public wearing a full duty belt at this point in your life.

Your enthusiasm for the job is commendable, but you have to be careful not to cross the line. Getting involved in major "wannabe" activities can damage your chances of getting on the job just as much as drinking, doing drugs, getting bad grades, etc.

Keep your nose clean, study and learn, and your time will come when you'll have the opportunity to wear a duty belt, carry a 'real' police radio, etc. Learning everything you can is a good idea, but trying to 'be' a cop before you are a cop is asking for trouble.

Take that swapmeet duty belt, stick a realistic-looking airsoft gun in the holster and go out in public, and you're letting yourself in for the chance of a real close-up look at the duty weapon carried by your local officers - from the wrong end! The results could be predictably tragic if you happened to make the wrong movement in such a situation, accidentally or otherwise. That's not even considering the fact that there are a lot of people in this world who are, shall we say, "less than appreciative" of law enforcement - and would love to demonstrate their disdain to some dude walking around wearing cop gear. Most officers don't wear anything that outwardly identifies them as a cop when they're off-duty.....no cop t-shirts, ball caps, leather gear, etc. There's a good reason for that.

To answer a couple of your original questions - it's heavy, it's uncomfortable, and it's a relief to take it off at the end of shift. My view on it is that it's necessary and carries pretty much everything one needs to do the job - except for those rare occurrences one may run across where you could never possibly be carrying enough handcuffs, pepper spray or ammunition.

[pupdog]

Is it comfortable?
I wasn't at the academy long enough to get anything besides the baton & cuff on the Jr. Batbelt, but cadets are required to wear the cuff at the very back of the belt, so I quickly learned why cops always sit funny, and I had the most incredible bruise on my lower back from it!

[SB 405]

After reading all this I started thinking......I bet trying to run with all that stuff hanging off you makes for an adventure?

[Fire1]

sniff sniff... me thinks i smell a troll...

[WinnieI05]

I just can't help it. Real good nasty,,,

<now writing "wear" 50 times>

WinnieI05

[Mac]

After reading all this I started thinking......I bet trying to run with all that stuff hanging off you makes for an adventure?
Yup. Strap about 20 lbs. of dangling, jangling stuff around your waist and go for a run - while holding onto about half of it so it doesn't fall off/out in the process. Climb a fence or two, hurdle a few low walls and squeeze through some narrow spots along the way just to make it more entertaining. :)

[SB 405]

That's what I figured Mac. Only thing I can think of that would make it even more fun would be doing all that on a cold dark rainy morning...say about 0330.

[Gittinready]

That's what I figured Mac. Only thing I can think of that would make it even more fun would be doing all that on a cold dark rainy morning...say about 0330.

If it was a rainy morning we would probably be wearing the banana pants and don't even get me started on those.

[23109]

Yup. Strap about 20 lbs. of dangling, jangling stuff around your waist and go for a run - while holding onto about half of it so it doesn't fall off/out in the process. Climb a fence or two, hurdle a few low walls and squeeze through some narrow spots along the way just to make it more entertaining. :)


All the while worrying about ruining your $150 pants !

[ChippieWife]

All the while worrying about ruining your $150 pants !


Or causing your $90 shirt to ignite with a flare when it's lit because it's too dark to see...(...Or is that just my husband? :badgrin: )

[dw]

I wasn't at the academy long enough to get anything besides the baton & cuff on the Jr. Batbelt, but cadets are required to wear the cuff at the very back of the belt, so I quickly learned why cops always sit funny, and I had the most incredible bruise on my lower back from it!Two cases helps to balance it out.

[Mac]

Two cases helps to balance it out.
...and adds yet another pound or so to the belt. :D

[ELACHP041094]

I wasn't at the academy long enough to get anything besides the baton & cuff on the Jr. Batbelt, but cadets are required to wear the cuff at the very back of the belt, so I quickly learned why cops always sit funny, and I had the most incredible bruise on my lower back from it!
1) when you guys are at the academy you get 1 thing at a time on your training belt?
2) Why are the handuffs required to be at the back of the belt? Once on cops I saw some cops in Florida with the cuffs at the very front of the belt.
Mac thank you for your words

[ELACHP041094]

oh, do youguys have any pictures of your belts, or your uniforms ? I want to see how a CHP duty belt complete with uniform would look, LOL I'm going to photoshop my face into the pictures (Just kidding)

[Fire1]

They only issues those items that the cadets are being trained on at the time. Once the officers are on the road they can set up their belt how ever they want.

As to your second post, if you are a "cop fanatic" as you say you are and want to be part of the CHP one day, you should know what the uniform looks like. A duty belt is a duty belt. Why don't you take a look at a CHP officer on the side of the road someday, or take a look on the CHP website, or go to a CHP office and get some information. Your posts here are rather trolling in nature. Take some time to do research on your own, chill out a little bit, and do what you need to to keep your nose clean in order to have a future with the CHP. Until then, give it a break.

[x MAIT]

Alright young fella, if it is your intention to someday join the CHP then I have a few recommendations:

1. Stay out of trouble.
2. When you start driving, obey the laws and do not get a bunch of tickets or into any crashes.
3. Keep your grades up. Make sure that your reading and writing skills are good. You will find that as a CHP Officer you will be writing tons of reports, tickets, and administrative paperwork.
4. When you start working, do not get into trouble at work by being late, taking too much time off, getting poor evaluations, or getting into trouble with your boss.
5. After high school, go to college or join the military. A college education and/or military experience is great for helping you mature and getting some life experience.
6. As soon as you are old enough, look into an Explorer program with any law enforcement agency.
7. Be a good person, regardless of what you end up doing with your life.

Good Luck.