WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A PUBLIC SAFETY SUPPLIER FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT?
In the past, law enforcement officers could handle the high demands of their jobs with minimal equipment. With the changing threats they face nowadays and criminals getting more sophisticated, officers now rely on a range of technological innovations like GPS tagging systems, thermal imagers and body cameras to keep the public safe.
The increased technology has led to changes in the supply list for law enforcement agencies. Knowing precisely what you want and the best store to get it from might be challenging when looking for a public safety supplier. In this instance, knowing what it means to be a public safety supplier for law enforcement will boost the chances of settling on the best store and getting the best supplies for your department.
Here is a guide on what being a public safety supplier for law enforcement entails.

What Types Of Products Do You Sell?
Public safety suppliers for law enforcement mainly stock clothing, footwear and accessories. With law enforcement agencies now handling various responsibilities, there are different clothing, accessories and equipment to suit their jobs. When shopping for clothing for your officers, you will often get pants, jackets, shirts, sweaters, bulletproof vests and jumpsuits.
The modern fabrics used for these clothes have more dynamic functionality than in the past. They retard, reflect, repel, absorb or conceal the many things thrown at them to keep law enforcement officers dry and comfortable. Most uniforms are dark-colored with matching shirts and pants to camouflage the officers and make them easy to care for.
The clothing accessories needed by most law enforcement officers are belts, badges, sunglasses, gloves and headwear. Appropriate footwear is also essential to keep officers safe and help them navigate their work environments. Accessories like insoles and socks are crucial to ensure the comfort of law enforcement officers wearing the shoes.
What Types Of Uniforms Do You Sell?
Most law enforcement agencies have two uniform types. These include the traditional uniforms, also called Class A and the tactical ones, sometimes called Class B. The tactical uniforms are worn during patrol and when performing physically intense tasks such as when responding to emergencies. Class A uniforms are reserved for high-profile events, ceremonial functions, station assignments and funerals.
Class A uniforms comprise a dress jacket, custom insignia and dress pants. They are often quite elaborate and communicate the wearer’s experiences and authority level. Class B uniforms usually comprise pants and a button-down uniform shirt.
Some law enforcement agencies also have Class C uniforms. These are also called specialty battle dress or “work” uniforms designed for specific units like those that need to be stealthy in their work or perform more physically demanding tasks like K9 units. These uniforms are less tailored and focus on a wearer’s mobility and comfort when responding to specific emergencies.

What Types of Gear Do Public Safety Suppliers Stock?
Law enforcement gear has changed over the last decade to give officers better crowd control and reduce their risk of injuries when responding to situations. Some of the gear stocked by public safety suppliers include zip ties, handcuffs, holsters, flashlights, medical kits, bags, organizers, cameras, radios and handcuffs.
A reputable public safety supplier for law enforcement will have batons, knives and pepper spray. These secondary weapons can be used when an officer cannot reach his/her primary duty weapon. Most law enforcement officers also carry medical kits to handle emergencies before EMS staff arrive.
With riots becoming unfortunately common, a public safety supplier will often have riot gear in stock. Riot gear comprises a riot suit, helmet, baton, shield and gloves. The suit is stab-resistant, fire-resistant and can withstand blunt force trauma to allow an officer to safely bypass a crowd and defuse a dangerous situation. The shield is a lightweight round or rectangular-shaped tool that can restrict movement, push back crowds and protect an officer from a range of threats.
What Type Of Equipment Do You Have?
Though you cannot achieve much without the right tools in all tasks, getting the right equipment is crucial for law enforcement officers to protect themselves and the public while effectively handling tasks. Vehicles, guns, maces, gun cleaning supplies and ammunition, are must-haves for almost all law enforcement agencies. The service weapon a law enforcement officer carries is for his/her protection. It can be a handgun, rifle or shotgun. Some officers also have a taser gun that sends an electrical shock through someone to render him/her immobile in seconds.
Public safety suppliers stock deployment bags, backpacks, utility bags and grenadier bags for carrying the supplies officers use at a scene. You will also need binoculars to help law enforcement officers view items at a distance. Most of them have night vision that allows their use at night and during the day.
There is equipment that law enforcement officers will not carry on their person but have within easy reach in their vehicles. The most common are portable barricades, road flares and tape for maintaining a crime scene. Other equipment is highly specialized and often only used by tactical officers. These are heavy firearms like tear gas guns and automatic rifles, battering rams, shields and body armor.
Which Is The Best Type Of Public Safety Supplier For Law Enforcement?
The main types of public safety suppliers for law enforcement are those that sell their goods in retail stores and large warehouses. Though most departments will opt to buy from large warehouses, believing they will get good bargains, this might not always be so because the discounts are often tied to minimum order quantities that you might not meet.
Retail stores nowadays also offer attractive discounts for repeat clients and customers with large orders, so your law enforcement agency can benefit when buying many items. Thankfully, almost all retailers and large warehouses dealing with public safety supplies for law enforcement have online stores from which you can shop conveniently and have the items shipped to your location.

What Makes For A Trusted Supplier?
The choice of supplier for the items needed for your law enforcement officers determines their safety and how well they will handle their tasks. You thus need a trusted supplier to deliver what you will need on time and always give you quality goods.
Some aspects that define a trusted supplier for law enforcement are his/her knowledge of your department’s needs and experience in your field. It is prudent to work with a supplier with enough understanding of your needs and one who is abreast with changes in your work that necessitate new equipment or changes in your gear.
There are different professional member bodies to which public safety suppliers belong. It is advisable to work with suppliers that belong to relevant professional bodies for law enforcement officers because their products will often conform to set quality standards.
With the information covered above, you can now confidently shop for the public safety supplies your law enforcement agency needs. After getting your supplies, train your officers on how to use them to ensure they deliver the highest benefits. Your supplies should also be properly cared for to guarantee their longevity. This saves you on the cost of frequently replacing damaged or prematurely worn-out items.