The Origins of 5 Pieces of Police Equipment

Have you ever wondered where specific police gear comes from? In this article, we will go through the exciting stories of 5 pieces of law enforcement gear together. 

The law enforcement agency is one of the important institutions in every society. The police have to ensure that there is peace and order in society. They have to maintain law and order and protect people from crime. 

This article will focus on modern equipment used by the police force today. We will look at what these tools are, what they do, and where they originated from. We will also talk about some of the challenges faced by the police today while using these tools.

What Law Enforcement Gear is Typically Used by the Police?

It is essential to be prepared for anything. Police officers are always on the lookout for danger and must always be ready. They carry a lot of gear, but not all are visible to the public. 

You can find all the police tactical gear required for everyday duty in a one-stop shop such as LA police gear.

They aim to provide all the necessary equipment for police, and not only just with a few clicks. They host multiple quality brands, and their site includes everything from clothing – tactical pants, boots, vests, etc., to complementary gear.

Here the top law enforcement gears that every officer has on them are the following:

• Taser gun: This device shoots out an electric pulse that can hinder someone if it hits them. It’s used as a last resort when there’s no other way to stop the person from harming themselves or others.
• Baton: This is a type of club that can be used in self-defense or control of a suspect without inflicting serious injury. It’s also used as an instrument for crowd control in some countries.
• Handcuffs: These are used to restrain someone who has been arrested or detained by police officers, usually until they can be formally charged and processed by the justice system.
• Macer: Macer or Pepper spray is an irritant used to incapacitate an individual temporarily.
• Bulletproof vests: A bulletproof vest is a protective item of clothing that stops bullets from penetrating the body.

Interesting Backstories of 5 Pieces of Law Enforcement Gear

Where did those pieces of equipment come from? What if I told you that many of these items have a fascinating backstory, and some were intended for a completely different use? Keep on reading to catch up on those surprising facts!

1. Taser

In the ’60s, a weapon was created to incapacitate an enemy without killing them. This new resource was the TASER, developed by Jack Cover. He is a native Chicagoan and a graduate of the University of Chicago’s physics program. He received his education in nuclear physics from pioneers like Enrico Fermi.

The first Taser model for sale was classified as a firearm because it required gunpowder as its fuel. Former TASER International CEO Patrick Smith testified in a TASER-related case that the “shooting death of two of his high school pals” inspired the creation of this famous police tactical gear. 

Taser International is the owner of the trademark TASER. The terms “stun gun” or “conducted electrical weapon” should refer to any comparable product manufactured by another manufacturer.

2. Baton

Police in Victorian-era London wielded billy clubs, which were one-foot-long truncheons. The first recorded time in history that the baton was associated with the police was 1856. It was such a staple piece for the police that it worked as a proof of identification since people carrying it around were always doing it during their duty. They never cared about it after they finished. 

The modern-day baton is completely different design-wise, but it serves similar purposes as in the Victorian era.

3. Handcuffs

Handcuffs have been used as a form of restraint since the 1800s. They were initially made from iron and are still used today for law enforcement purposes.

Initially, it was in the fourth century BC that cuff-like devices were first mentioned. At that time, the Greek soldiers discovered many of them in army carts. Their primary purpose was to enslave and command captives of war.

The actual exponential growth and use of handcuffs started in 1800. This year marked the urbanization and increased mobility of the western world. With the population growth came a disproportionate rise in crime and criminal arrests that popularized the use of this police gear globally. 

4. Macer or Pepper Spray

The well-known pepper spray was first invented in the United States in the early 1960s. It all started when young inventor Alan Litman learned of a mugging. He discussed safety measures with his wife. They finally decided on a portable spray to repel attackers without killing them. 

After the invention, it has successfully been used against bears, attackers who could not be sustained otherwise, and other typical situations.

It should be mentioned that, as we said about Taser, Mace is again a trademark logo. Pepper spray describes the chemical inside, whereas Mace is the brand name. 

5. Bulletproof Vests

Italian and Roman nobles tested the concept of bulletproof jackets in the 1500s. Metal layers were used to create body armor to divert bullets. Later, they realized that metal was not optimal in this specific case. 

Other attempts from the Japanese intended to make bulletproof vests from silk– but the expensive material did not enable this invention to be commercialized. 

Finally, genuinely bulletproof jackets became a reality in the 1960s after discovering new fabrics that were more affordable to produce and use massively. DuPont developed the Kevlar ballistic fabric around the beginning of the 1970s. Since then, no notable change has been made in the bulletproof vests, but this equipment is still being examined for improvements.

Conclusion

We hope these facts made for an exciting read. We certainly only knew a lot of these with research, and some background information often helps us contextualize specific content. 

As mentioned, do not waste hours searching for gear in different places– you can use a one-stop shop for all your needs that will make the ride easy and fast!