14 POLICE MAY 2013

If you open the trunks of 20 officers’ patrol cars, you’ll see 20 variations on the same theme. The organization of each

trunk will be as different as its contents. I’ve always used milk crates to create pockets of useable and organized space in mine. I’ve gotten a lot of interesting stares when I open the trunk of my cruiser. Not just because it is well organized, but because I carry a hodgepodge of items based on my experi-ence and anticipated needs.

My inventory is based on not only taking care of my indi-vidual needs but later on as a supervisor, taking care of my squad or platoon as well. For example, I carry extra loaded magazines for my riflemen, extra ammunition for our hand-guns, various crime scene processing items, and extra flash-lights along with batteries for them. You create headaches for yourself when you have to stop what you are doing be-cause you need something. When you need it, you need it.

I have created a list of items that I’ve found useful over the years. I recommend you use it to start or perhaps update your own list. Then make sure you carry everything you’ve decided you need in your squad. Here are my personal pref-erences in no particular order.

1. CLIPBOARDS Think of the clipboard as a portable desk that you can pre-stack with your necessary forms. Place a pen under the clip and you are good to go. Now your victim and witnesses have a stable platform to write on. They can also write virtually anywhere, even if it’s just sitting down and resting the clip-board on their thighs.

2. A BOX OF CHEAP PENS Pens have a habit of disappearing or going bad. Buy a box of cheap pens and keep them inside your car and not in your trunk (because of excessive heat). If someone walks away with one of your 10-for-a-dollar pens, there’s no reason to think twice about it. Also, if one happens to "blow up" or run out of ink, you have spares to choose from.

3. LEATHER WORK GLOVES A definite must, unless you like cutting or burning your hands. Leather gloves are great for moving debris from a traffic crash, working around broken glass, moving trees or branches from a storm or flood, and for working with any-thing that might be hot from sitting out in the sun all day. They will also protect you from those unexpected sharp edg-

es when moving large items while searching.

4. CRIME SCENE TAPE Hopefully your agency issues you rolls of this stuff. It’s a must to block off a major crime scene. I carry three or four rolls (our office is-sues it) because I got tired of members of my platoon inevitably doing the “Crime Scene Tape Shuffle” going from deputy to deputy asking if they had any. We would save long strips of used tape, roll them up, and reuse it later. The shorter pieces would be saved for marking trails, entrances, or exits.

5. SPRAY PAINT I always have at least two cans of yellow or orange spray paint with me. I use it to mark and then move vehicles involved in traffic crashes. Spray paint is also a good way to mark something you need to identify in a hurry.

15 THINGS TO MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER ON PATROLStock up on simple yet essential items like pens and spare socks so you’ll have them in your squad when you need them.

Best PracticesAMAURY MURGADO

For more Best Practices go towww.PoliceMag.com/bestpractices

You keep tools of the trade like ammo and body armor in your car, but that's not enough.

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16 POLICE MAY 2013

6. ROPE A length of rope always comes in handy when you need to tie something down or pull something out. Your local hard-ware store can help you pick out a good general purpose rope. Or if you prefer, a length of tubular nylon is equally as help-ful. Though technically not a rope, I also keep a 50-foot section of 550 cord (mili-tary parachute cord) in my vehicle, as it’s worth its weight in gold.

7. CAYENNE PEPPER In addition to its culinary uses, cayenne pepper has many medicinal purposes, including stopping bleeding. Sprinkle it right into the cut or laceration. It does not burn as many people would expect because the receptors in your mouth and on your tongue are different than on your skin. My wife nearly cut the top of her thumb off not too long ago, and that’s what she used to stop the bleeding. Five stitches later, her thumb was fine and the doctor commended her on her quick thinking.

8. SNACKS You never know how long you’ll be guard-ing a crime scene or directing traffic. If you wait until someone brings you some-thing to eat or until you’re relieved by an-other officer, you might be waiting a long time. Protein-packed items that can be stored a while like granola bars, trail mix, and nuts work really well in a pinch.

9. SCREWDRIVER A screwdriver makes it easier to remove

tags. A small tool set with a few basic items wouldn’t hurt either.

10. WEAPONS CLEANING KIT I have seen officers drop their guns in sand or accidentally go through muck and mire. It never fails to amaze me when someone doesn’t keep a cleaning kit with a bottle of oil in his or her car. As long as you carry a firearm, you should also carry a cleaning kit.

11. HAT/SUNBLOCK Standing out in the sun all day without some type of headgear is misery in action. My agency allows us to wear ball caps; we use our more formal hats for Class A uni-form or ceremonial wear. Hat or not, you still also need to carry sunblock to use on your arms, neck, and face. In today’s world, skin cancer is a real concern and

Best Practices

1. Carry items tailored to your needs to make your life easier on patrol2. Periodically reevaluate your list of must-carry items3. An organized trunk is still pretty useless if it’s missing items you need4. Don’t overlook office supplies like clipboards and extra pens5. Remember a hat, sunblock, and snacks for long periods of time with-out a break

you should do everything you can to pro-tect yourself.

12. BOLT CUTTERS There have been times when I would have paid double for a bolt cutter. I ruined a multi-tool cutting through a barbed-wire fence once. I now carry bolt cutters all the time and, unlike a multi-tool wire cutter, they have never failed me.

13. LETTER OPENER Have you ever seen those plastic credit card-sized, rectangular letter openers? You usually find them being given away at health fairs or other such events. Because this type of letter opener usually contains a razor blade and has a built-in guide, it makes a great improvised seat belt cutter.

14. MACHETE A machete is great for plowing through thick underbrush, rope, or other items that are beyond the capability of a pocket knife.

15. SPARE BOOTS AND SOCKSIf you get wet it’s usually no big deal un-til your boots get soaked. If your feet stay wet for too long, you’ll suffer a condition called immersion (trench) foot. It’s very painful and will take you out of the game. Having a spare set of boots and socks is good advice. At minimum have a towel, a spare set of socks, and some type of foot powder with you.

MAKE YOUR OWN LISTIt’s not my list that’s important, nor is it important that you agree with my list. What is important is that you take a look at your past experiences and perform a reality check.

If you ever said, “Damn, I wish I had brought that,” or “I wish I had one of those,” chances are that’s an item for your list. Maybe you need to reevaluate and ad-just your list because of changes in duties. The idea is to have what you need when you need it. In the end, the real question that needs answering is, What can you carry that will make your life easier out in the field?

Amaury Murgado is a special operations lieutenant with the Osceola County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Office. He is a retired master ser-geant from the Army Reserve, has more than 25 years of law enforcement experi-ence, and has been a lifelong student of martial arts.

WHAT TO CARRY IN

YOUR PATROL CAR

Surprising items such as cayenne pepper and a freebie letter opener are good to have on duty.

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