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Equipment

Officers are often asked about what equipment they carry on their person and in their cars. It’s more than one would think!
 
The average officer’s duty belt weighs between fifteen and twenty-five pounds.
 
Duty belt:
  • Taser
  • Gun, 9 MM Sig Sauer
  • Extra ammunition magazines
  • Flashlight
  • Baton – Some officers carry but most do not
  • Hand cuffs
  • Gloves
  • Radio
  • Multi tool which includes a screwdriver and knife
  • Torniquet
  • Narcan
Many items are carried in individual “pouches” which add to the weight of the duty belt.
Along with the weight of the duty belt, officers wear a bullet proof vest which weighs between six and eight pounds. 
 
Police Cars and equipment:
Croton’s police fleet will vary from time to time as cars are rotated out of service, but the fleet generally consists of:
  • 1 passenger style car in the Patrol division utilized for traffic enforcement
  • 1 unmarked passenger style car in the Patrol Division
  • 4 medium sized SUVs in Patrol
  • 2 large SUVS in Patrol
  • 1 unmarked Medium SUV in the Detective Division
  • 1 unmarked passenger style car in the Detective Division
  • 1 unmarked passenger style car, utilized by the Chief of Police
  • 2 marked SUVs utilized by the Park Ranger
  • 2 marked passenger style cars, utilized by the Parking Enforcement Officers.
While this may seem like too many vehicles, it is just about right.  Police Patrol cars run 24/7/365 and take a lot of wear and tear.  At any given time, any number of vehicles might be in the repair shop, necessitating “backup” vehicles.  Cars are purchased new and rotated through the various departmental needs.  For example, an unmarked patrol car is well beyond the mileage to allow it to be used 24/7/365 but it is utilized as needed.
 
Why are SUVs needed?
 
While patrol cars can have enough room for some equipment, they are not roomy enough for all the necessary equipment generally carried and they cannot be utilized during all inclement weather.  SUVs provide the ability to patrol on some of Croton’s hilly back roads during severe snow and rain events / deep water, times when people often need the most assistance.  Along with our roads, the vehicles are utilized in Croton parks. SUVs are utilized to tow the two department boats and to transport the Bicycle unit’s bicycles.  
 
An SUV’s roomier driver’s compartment also allows for the needed room for taller officers and the gear they must have on their person and gear they must have within easy reach.
 
Patrol vehicle:
  • Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
  • First aid kit
  • Oxygen
  • Traffic cones
  • Flares
  • 1 Riffle
  • 1 Shotgun, non-lethal squish ball type projectile that is less likely to penetrate skin.
  • Blankets
  • Fire Extinguisher
  • Stuffed animals for potential traumatized children
  • Computer and Printer
  • Tint meter to determine window tint
  • Portable breath test for DUI testing
  • Radar (in marked cars)
  • Electronic Parking ticket device
  • All necessary forms
  • Radio
  • Officer’s personal gear bag
  • Halligan tool in Patrol cars
 
Detective Cars may also contain:
  • Evidence bags and equipment to gather evidence
  • Hazmat suit
  • Camera equipment and fingerprint equipment brought from Headquarters
  • Equipment to take measurements at traffic scenes or crime scenes
Additional Department equipment:
  • 1 refurbished ambulance, utilized by the Dive team and can also be utilized at community events and also may be utilized as a command post
  • 1 seventeen-foot boat
  • 1 zodiac boat
This article was written by members of the Police Advisory Committee as part of the Community Information Project.