20 replies to this topic

[AmISpecial]

So has everyone made a start ready for OPST training at putting things on their belt? a little time consuming arranging everything and im not sure if theres a standard way officers have it but ive got from left to right...

Left med kit, faststraps, handcuffs.... then key holder, baton and CS holder

Edited by AmISpecial, 30 June 2011 - 10:29 PM.

[CSC1]

So has everyone made a start ready for OPST training at putting things on their belt? a little time consuming arranging everything and im not sure if theres a standard way officers have it but ive got from left to right...

Left med kit, faststraps, handcuffs.... then key holder, baton and CS holder

There's been loads of threads on this on the forum...

I'm a leftie

L ----------------------> R

CS---Cuffs-----first aid----leg restraints-----baton

Edited by CSC1, 30 June 2011 - 10:32 PM.

[Prae]

I've not even started my specials training yet so I'm no expert but I carry a baton and cuffs in my full time job, we're told to carry the baton on your weak side so if you're right handed it should be on your left side and the cuffs (probably CS for bobbies as well) on your strong side which would be your right if you're right handed.

I'm sure the instructors will see you right!

[Flux]

So has everyone made a start ready for OPST training at putting things on their belt? a little time consuming arranging everything and im not sure if theres a standard way officers have it but ive got from left to right...

Left med kit, faststraps, handcuffs.... then key holder, baton and CS holder

Eat your heart out here: http://www.policespe...showtopic=70321

[AmISpecial]

There's been loads of threads on this on the forum...

This was meant for Staffs officers hence it being on the Staffs section

[cooperman74]

So has everyone made a start ready for OPST training at putting things on their belt? a little time consuming arranging everything and im not sure if theres a standard way officers have it but ive got from left to right...

Left med kit, faststraps, handcuffs.... then key holder, baton and CS holder

From the way you've set your belt up I assume you're a left hander...

OPST trainers will give you advice on best practice as to how to set your belt up (ours did anyway). They basically say to have your baton on your weaker side, for cross draw. You then have your CS & cuffs on your strong side. Put your med kit, fastraps & key holder where you want.

If you've not already realised, your baton, cuff & CS holders position will 'turn' adjust, for ease of comfort & aids for quicker draw.

Before OPST I had my belt set up one way but after I now have it set up like this....
I'm a right hander....
LH side - Utility pouch, torch, first aid kit, baton - CENTRAL BUCKLE - CS, cuff key, cuffs, fastraps - RH side.

We have one ambidextrous guy on our course, just enabled him that bit more flexibility.

Would recommend during OPST trying the setup in different positions, that way you'll work out what's best for you. Ultimately, it's down to what works best for you as to how you set it up.

Oh &, I'm sure you'll all enjoy OPST, really is a superb weekend even if you do still ache 4 weeks on....

[Dale-Staffs]

OK from rear to front.

Left side

First Aid, Fast straps, Baton

Right side

Cuffs, CS holder, Cuffs key holder

Dont know why I chose to do it that way, it just seemed logical

Edited by Dale-Staffs, 01 July 2011 - 09:45 AM.

[donottumbledry]

Has anyone added cup holders yet? Surely no piece of modern equipment is complete without cup holders? I mean, my cars got four so surely you'd think they'd include one on your belt?

At the moment, my belt is such:

LH Side > Med kit > Baton > CENTRAL CLIP < Key holder < Cuffs < CS holder < RH Side < Restraints < Back part of belt

I'm sure it'll change during OPST and during actual duty depending on how comfortable it is to use/wear. Anyone else bought a better handcuff key yet?

[AmISpecial]

I'm right handed actually but the way ive been getting my baton out is to unclip and flick it behind me so it extends behind myself, i figured thatd be the better way to extend it in tight spaces without needing to flick my wrist (old skateboarding injury causes me a bit of a niggle when i do it that way)

But like everyones posted it'll probably end up changing, bit of a blag though as it took me ages to put it all on and then i kept putting the end clips on the wrong way around 0_o

Obviously i have no idea of the approved methods yet but it feels more comfortable for me to strike with it backhanded : \

Edited by AmISpecial, 01 July 2011 - 07:09 PM.

[-AJ]

I can beat you - I have a picture -

I'm right handed though! The feet visible are the actual bottom of the picture - and are mine

*edit* Incidentally this apart from the addition of the key holder and torch holder is how our OPST trainers told us to set it up. Most of the time now I slide most of the stuff behind me, especially cuffs and baton. CS Stays at front. This is to make it easier to sit in cars and such, and obviously if i get out of the car for anything i slide my baton back around to the side of me within reach. It also moves cause with my stab vest and coat on - i find it hard to reach around it all to my baton so it comes further forward in the winter. The cuffs tend to stay sort of behind my right hip, cause I can still get them easily, but they're more out of the way. Official position should be on your hip or just in front I believe.

I am also under the impression that Baton should be on your weak side so you can cross draw with your strong arm, and CS sits opposite side to Baton. legstraps at the back along with medi pack - and wallah.

Attached Files

•  IMG_0285.JPG   1.29MB   94 downloads

Edited by -AJ, 01 July 2011 - 10:45 PM.

[AmISpecial]

AJ is that other little pouch you have on your belt something to hold your handcuff key? was that issued to you or did you buy it, ive got my bought swivel key on the little metal hook thing but im worried that if i take a tumble onto someone that key is gonna lower my sperm count drastically XD

[-AJ]

Yes - That small pouch thats about the same width as my belt, holds my long cuff key. HOWEVER, because it has a metal lanyard etc they are NOT recommended pieces of kit. I have mine with a 'quick release' keyring on it, off a trolly token actually - so that if I use it, i disconnect the key. The only reason I have to pouch is somewhere safe to put it, because when I had mine on the swivel thing, I also used to worry about my sperm count and arteries in my leg getting punctured. I also carry my small cuff key on the same 'quick release' keyring I have attached to my normal keys. I take this quick release off and is the only keys I take on duty with me, which contains the cuff key, and my locker key. - This is the key I use most often, because I find the long one unnecessary.

I do also use the long cuff key, whilst it's attached - but only to double lock the handcuffs, because during this procedure, the key is not attached to the cuffs in any way, so somebody struggling would be fine, and it is easier to do than fumbling for my other key - which is easily dropped in a struggle. I work on the principle that the loop holding the key pouch onto my belt would rip off easily enough if somebody grabbed ahold of it. This is my key holder - from Patrolstore And as I said, grab yourself a trolly token, and steal the quick release hook off of it

[andrew1979]

I've never particularly liked the metal lanyard, mostly from a safety point of view. If someone is kicking off then getting my key out to double lock is the least of my concerns. Once they're calm then the cuffs can be double locked, and to be honest you can double lock handcuffs with a biro. Once in custody the cuffs aren't coming off until the sergeant is happy and the DP is calm. I just have a key with a pen type clip that I clip to my stab vest - within reach and not going anywhere but also not going to puncture my leg or my testicles (wince!). I have seen some regs with them, some specials with them and some not - it just depends on what you're happy with to be honest. Ask the OPST instructors to see what they think.

[-AJ]

I've never particularly liked the metal lanyard, mostly from a safety point of view. If someone is kicking off then getting my key out to double lock is the least of my concerns. Once they're calm then the cuffs can be double locked, and to be honest you can double lock handcuffs with a biro. Once in custody the cuffs aren't coming off until the sergeant is happy and the DP is calm. I just have a key with a pen type clip that I clip to my stab vest - within reach and not going anywhere but also not going to puncture my leg or my testicles (wince!). I have seen some regs with them, some specials with them and some not - it just depends on what you're happy with to be honest. Ask the OPST instructors to see what they think.

Agree here - As I said the Lanyards are not recommended, and I only ever used it for it's pouch and disconnected the key when I needed it. I also rarely use it and usually use my small key - This is why right now I'm struggling to remember if I did, or didn't take it off my belt altogether. I think I did! The only extra I have on my belt now is my torch. We already have to carry enough in Staffs.

When I was at a custody Suite in Northampton, a regular who came in commented on the amount of stuff on my belt, causing the custody Sergeant to say something about specials - HOWEVER I had nothing extra on my belt at that time except for the key and Torch - it's just the amount of stuff Staffs issue, and the fact that they have a vest which holds some of their kit and a belt with the rest.

[cooperman74]

I've never particularly liked the metal lanyard, mostly from a safety point of view. If someone is kicking off then getting my key out to double lock is the least of my concerns. Once they're calm then the cuffs can be double locked, and to be honest you can double lock handcuffs with a biro. Once in custody the cuffs aren't coming off until the sergeant is happy and the DP is calm. I just have a key with a pen type clip that I clip to my stab vest - within reach and not going anywhere but also not going to puncture my leg or my testicles (wince!). I have seen some regs with them, some specials with them and some not - it just depends on what you're happy with to be honest. Ask the OPST instructors to see what they think.

At OPST i had the same holder with metal lanyard + longer handcuff key. It was very useful & made my life so much easier than using the issued key & having to rummage for it.
However, the OPST guys did warn me that the metal lanyard could potentially pose a risk to my safety. In the very next sentence they also said that I could also use it as a safety aid if it fitted in with P.L.A.N. Doubt whether I'd do that to be honest though.....
I like the idea of the pen type key or using the trolley token clip.

[AmISpecial]

Whats a trolley token clip? 0_o

[Prae]

Whats a trolley token clip? 0_o

[AmISpecial]

I cannot see any correlation with a trolley, lol thanks for the image anyway XD

[Prae]

That token goes into a trolley instead of a pound coin.

[AmISpecial]

Why would anyone want one of those?

The only supermarkets i still know using those sort of old school trolleys is LIDL lmfao.

[Prae]

Probably depends where you live, around here all supermarkets except Asda use coins on their trolleys.