No matter how "old school" we think we are or want to stay, we just can't avoid the use of technology: we wear it, we use it, we carry it... and it takes up space in our trunk. The good news is that it takes up less space now than ever before. Support systems for dashcams are shrinking thanks to advancing tech. Radio repeaters are also shrinking and aren't as common as they used to be. Data connection systems for MDT support are also getting smaller. Still, all three of those things get stuck in the trunk and take up space. The question becomes: What's do we NEED to have in our trunk? The next question is: What would be nice to have in there as well? Let's take a look.
What should be in our trunk can be broken down into three categories: Vehicle supplies, Field Supplies and Emergency Supplies. Below is a list of items we came up with and the category each fits into.
Here's the basic list of what you SHOULD have in your trunk - at a bare minimum.
Flares (Field Supplies)
First-Aid Kit (Emergency Supplies)
Supply of surgical gloves (Emergency Supplies)
Raincoat and hat (Field Supplies)
Fire extinguisher (Emergency Supplies)
Barricade tape / ribbon (Field Supplies)
Tape measure (50 feet or more) (Field Supplies)
Spare tire (Vehicle Supplies)
Jack (Vehicle Supplies)
Vehicle maintenance items (Vehicle Supplies)
Reports/paperwork as necessary (Field Supplies)
Shotgun (Emergency Supplies?)
Additionally, in today's world, it would also be good to keep these items in your trunk as authorized.
AED (Emergency Supplies)
Trauma Kit (Emergency Supplies)
Rifle (Emergency Supplies)
External Body Armor (Emergency Supplies)
Helmet (Emergency Supplies)
Extra flashlight (Field Supplies)
Extra ammo (Field Supplies
Often the bigger challenge is how to store gear for fast access. All of us have seen the "Oh my gawd what the heck is this mess?!" trunk. We all have that one workmate whose nickname is PigPen. We've also all seen the coworker's trunk that looks like you could eat out of it because it's so... sterile - yet properly equipped. What's the difference? Cleanliness and organization. Systems like those from the company Setina organize gear and ensure quick access. If properly stocked and maintained, the systems allow you to find what you need quickly and under stress (because all too often that's how we have to function).
But what about those pesky firearms? Ammo supplies? Sharp objects that might be used as weapons? Is it enough just to organize them? No. We all know it's not. They need to be organized and secure in a locked, hardened system. Companies like TruckVault make such systems, designed for your patrol car trunk or the back end of your patrol SUV. They are hardened and lockable and ideal for storing your firearms and other potentially dangerous items. Reminder: They are not there so you can leave your weapon(s) in your trunk overnight. They are for duty use only!
If there's something else you think is an absolute must to have in a patrol officer's trunk, drop us a line. We'd love to add it to our "junk in the trunk" list!
