39 replies to this topic

[dwae84]

Hi everyone,

Just a simple little thread really to ask for your advice and comments about taking your mobile phone out with you on duty (apologies if this has already been covered, I couldn't find any relevant topics).

I have a Galaxy S2 and my first shift is on Friday evening, and I'm terrified about ruining it! Basically, do you leave your phones at home, take out a cheaper phone or do you use a fancy protective case?

Thanks in advance for all your replies

[Sam Vimes]

I've carried my iPhone - in its various guises - on me since I was a Special, just in a pocket in my body armour. I just spent a little more on a decent case and screen protector. Have never lost it, not damaged it, and don't spend a moments thought worrying about it.

I have spent hours playing games on it, texting, browsing the Internet etc etc when stuck on seals, bed-watches, downtime in the nick etc.

My iPhone 4S is currently in an OtterBox case. Bit pricey but worth the money in my opinion.

[sc-sam]

If you keep it in your kit bag then you can check it thoughout the shift and it won't get trashed in a fight.

[GodAtum]

I keep my iPhone in my shirt pocket in a hard case.

[PCDJ]

I have an iphone, a mareware rubberised case and screen protecter. I have found it fine in my Metvest and more than useful when I need address details and have no access to a terminal

[GreenGerkin]

I take my iPhone 4 out with me.
Very useful for mapping and killing time back at the station.
Mine has a hardcase on the back and is in a phone sock.

If I am in the car and expect to go to a situation which could end in a ruck it goes into the glovebox. Otherwise it is just in my pocket.

[MC1]

I carry my iPhone. Brilliant in getting you to places, or quickly checking what road you're on to do a person check etc.

[hathaway]

Same concern for me with my Nexus S. I think we'll find that it's hard to find a decent hard case for any phone that isn't an iphone, but worth a few google searches for. I'm at least safe in the knowledge that the insurance provided by Vodafone will cover any damage sustained on duty

[oddbod]

I keep my Blackberry Torch in the thigh pocket of my trousers, I have no screen protector or fancy case and it has no marks or scratches on it despite being in several 'rolling on the floor' incidents.

I have a Galaxy S2 and my first shift is on Friday evening, and I'm terrified about ruining it! Basically, do you leave your phones at home, take out a cheaper phone or do you use a fancy protective case?

Only you know whether you really need your phone with you while you're out on duty.

[Seandesy1]

I have the S2, goes in my shirt pockets fine, and then once my stab vest goes on it goes in the pocket in there. Been in a few scuffles and it's not been at any risk so far, screen towards the body, back facing outwords, sticking it in a folded book of stop forms also helps keep it safe.

[SBG]

In my shirt pocket - with a good case

[TallGuy]

When I was front line then I had my as then new but fairly sturdy Nokia N73 in my stabbie, and was called up on it a few times when in Airwave dead spots. Now I'm more covert I have my Blackberry in an OtterBox.

Whether to take it out on duty is up to you, but if it gets trashed then, that's it. No compensation from your force and you may even find you network insurance doesn't cover it.

[samt]

Buy one of these bad boys and never worry about it getting broken again...

[Sam Vimes]

Hi everyone,

Just a simple little thread really to ask for your advice and comments about taking your mobile phone out with you on duty (apologies if this has already been covered, I couldn't find any relevant topics).

I have a Galaxy S2 and my first shift is on Friday evening, and I'm terrified about ruining it! Basically, do you leave your phones at home, take out a cheaper phone or do you use a fancy protective case?

Thanks in advance for all your replies

Same concern for me with my Nexus S. I think we'll find that it's hard to find a decent hard case for any phone that isn't an iphone, but worth a few google searches for. I'm at least safe in the knowledge that the insurance provided by Vodafone will cover any damage sustained on duty

http://www.otterbox....default,sc.html

Really are worth the money.

[Derf]

Now I'm more covert I have my Blackberry in an OtterBox.

[Burnie]

[hathaway]

Sadly no otterbox for my phone as of the last time I checked. Vodafone insurance said they'd cover damage on duty when I rang up to ask a few weeks ago

[Gambit]

I have an iPhone 4S and always take it out with me - Google Maps and Waze make two decent sat-nav apps for when the Force tom-toms don't have mapping (which is quite often!)

I have a hard case to protect it and after a few scuffles it hasn't suffered any damage - but there is the risk of dropping it, it being damaged in a scuffle or in any other way imaginable.

I find that the benefits of having the phone outweigh the dangers of it breaking by a good margin.

Enjoy the new phone!

[dwae84]

Thanks for the responses everyone, I've gone ahead and ordered an otterbox case

[Sam Vimes]

Thanks for the responses everyone, I've gone ahead and ordered an otterbox case

Good decision! Enjoy.

[Cuddles]

I've never damaged a phone in nearly 7 years of policing, though I have feared the worst a couple of times and I don't use cases (except for the one that came with my current Blackberry). The Otterbox will be more than enough to keep your phone safe.

[Hades]

I don't use a case and have never had any problems. My phone (Galaxy S2) lives in my trouser pocket, same place my phones have lived since I joined

[Caesium]

I have a GS2 also, I take it out with me.

I have an app which tells me my exact location, handy for when you stop/arrest someone in your OCU or on aid and you're not sure of the area.

[nick6689]

I have an iPhone 4S and have a standard griffin case that I got free (about £8 worth I think although the phone shop wanted me to pay £20!) I put it in the pocket on my body armour where my leg restraints go and place them on my belt. I have pressed against it a lot while on duty and never even pressed the home button never mind broken it! As mentioned by some others you can get some pretty meaty cases. Griffin do one for iPhones Samsungs etc that they tested by launching it down stairs and through fields etc (youtube it) and its quite a modest price for what you can do with it! :-).

[BlueBand]

iPhone stays in my combats zip pocket.