Law enforcement tactical gear is some of the most important equipment your department will buy. Tactical gear that doesn’t function properly or that is worn can cost an officer his life. That’s why it’s so important to choose a manufacturer that makes high-quality law enforcement tactical gear.
Most manufacturers will allow you to try out a few items before you make a commitment to purchasing all the items you need. Get a few pieces of gear and distribute these to officers for a trial. Create an evaluation sheet for the officers to use to evaluate each of the pieces of gear.
Since durability is critical in tactical gear, it’s a good idea to talk with some other law enforcement agencies that use the brand you’re considering to get their impression of durability. Your trial with your own officers won’t likely be long enough to thoroughly test this feature.
After receiving the evaluations back from officers, you should have a good idea of which two or three vendors are most highly ranked for use. With this information, you can begin researching prices and negotiating potential discounts based on volume buying. You may wish to talk to a few distributors since multiple vendors carry the most popular gear brands.
Most manufacturers are accustomed to working with law enforcement departments, so they understand your buying needs. They can help you determine the right inventory levels to carry and help you decide when to reorder. They are also accustomed to working within department budgets, so they can help you get the most for your money.
Choosing tactical gear is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as you work to keep your department outfitted. Take the time to evaluate all the possibilities in equipment and equipment vendors to ensure you’re making the right purchases to keep your officer’s safe while on duty.
