The law enforcement profession has evolved with time including the increase of women in the profession. The increase is so significant that companies are manufacturing clothing and gear specifically designed for women. Before, women had to adapt to the standard uniform cuts that were originally made for men. Having clothing (or body armor) designed for females makes a huge difference in the comfort and safety of your shift. These days uniforms, outerwear, footwear, and even body armor come in options with the female physique in mind.
Tactical Wear
The women’s Stretch Ops Tactical Pants from LA Police Gear (LAPG) are great for women in the field and are perfect for range days and off duty hikes. For woman in the field who are not sworn officers but have roles such as crime scene investigators, these pants offer comfort and convenience. This pant comes in several colors and is equipped with seven pockets. They are form fitting without being too tight and are great for wearing for many hours at a time.
I had the privilege of trying them out. The first aspect I noticed was how comfortable they were. Not too tight, not too baggy so they were not distracting as I wore them at the range. I was able to properly perform drills without any disadvantage. Most of all they had the right amount of stretch. I was also able to easily fit an extra magazine in my pocket, my ID and my phone. The side pockets have strong velcro that keeps your items safe but allow for easy access to them. The waist was not too baggy either, but loose enough to fit my holster well and I had no problems drawing my firearm.
Another women’s pant offered by LAPG is the women’s Operator Tactical Pants. These are more loose fitting than the Stretch Ops Tactical Pant but are still complimentary to women. They have elastic at the sides of the waistband for added room and are equipped with eight pockets and two loops ideal for keys. They are also fade resistant. Again, I was able to fit everything (and more) that I needed in the pockets of those pants. They’re great for tactical situations on the job or outdoor off duty activities.
In addition to the tactical pants, I had the opportunity to try out some of their women’s polo shirts which are also great for on and off duty. Polo shirts are another item of clothing that used to be designed for men which meant they did not fit the “shape” of a lady. The women’s Recon Jersey Polo Shirt is a button up polo, made out of polyester, with a small pocket on the sleeve great for a couple of pens. The jersey material makes the shirt breathable and I was able to wear for a long period of time without any discomfort. It fits the contours of a lady’s physique yet still has room and remains professional. The Operator Tactical Women’s Polo Shirt is half cotton and half polyester and fits well like the Recon Jersey Polo Shirt. This shirt looks great for those times when you need a professional look but do not need a uniform. This shirt was also comfortable and I was able to wear it on a hike for several hours with ease.
Outdoor Gear, Accessories, and Off-Duty Wear
Aside from the tactical outfits I was offered the chance to try out some of their other gear. The Operator Soft Shell jacket is ideal for women and can be used on or off duty depending. It is lined with fleece giving it added warmth and includes several pockets including hidden ones. It could easily be transformed into an on duty jacket by adding department patches. I wore on several occasions outdoors for long periods of time and found it to be just what I needed.
Workouts are important in the field both for fitness and stress relief. The women’s Distressed Flag Tank workout shirts are light and easy to wear. They have a racerback style and are perfect for workout sessions. The material is breathable too which adds to the overall appeal of the shirt. The LAPG Shimmer TBL Heart Hat is a great way to show your support for law enforcement. I wore mine on the range and was pleased with how it fit as well as the amount of protection it offered.
The women’s low cut socks are great for running or workout socks, or even on duty. With added cushioning in the socks they provided a much needed cushion for my workout. Their Thin Blue Line socks are great for on or off duty. These are high socks, they fit perfectly into a boot and keep your feet warm without making your feet tight in your boots.
I also tried out the LAPG Low Terrain Hiking Boot. It can be used for off duty activities or on duty tactical situations just as well. I tried them out on the shooting range. After standing on my feet for four hours and doing drills my feet never hurt once. Though brand new, they fit like a glove and bypass that “wearing in” phase. The soles have anti-fatigue technology and there is mesh on either side on top for breathing room. They also have a reinforced tongue to keep out debris.
Women’s Uniforms and Body Armor Accessories
Uniforms have come a long way from their original designs especially when it comes to women’s uniforms. 5.11 Tactical is another company that manufactures uniforms for women. They recently came out with the Women’s Stryke PDU Pants, Women's Long Sleeve Stryke PDU Shirt, and the Short Sleeve Women's Stryke PDU. I was sent each of these to try out. I tried out the pants and the long sleeved shirt first. Both fit well and were flattering while still remaining professional. The pants offer easy movement and a little room in the legs for comfort too. The long sleeved shirt buttons and zips up part way. With standard pockets that button in the front, the shirt held up well. It was also warm and kept in heat. The short sleeved shirt is durable but breathable. It is just like the long sleeved but made for warmer days. It also held up well and was great for long hours of wear.
Body armor for women in law enforcement is also available. 5.11 has the Class A Uniform Outer Vest Carrier made just for women. Most ballistic panels will fit in the carrier and it is ideal for the female officer. Since they are made for women they fit better than standard or unisex body armor which in turn offers more protection.
Additional accessories that are great for men or women was the LAPG CMPTAC USB Rechargeable 1600 Lumens Tactical Flashlight, the LAPG commuter and school backpack, and the LAPG Patrol Car/Truck Seat Organizer. All were extremely helpful.
The LAPG CMPTAC USB Rechargeable 1600 Lumens Tactical Flashlight is extremely handy and is able to lock too. With a touch of a button I was able to lock it and it has two modes: Illumination Mode which can be low, medium, or high, Turbo, and Strobe to name a few; Tactical mode which is momentary turbo, or constant turbo or strobe. When in “high” mode it lasts two hours, when in “low” it lasts for 24 hours. This flashlight is rechargeable too, so it was easy to plug into my vehicle USB port. It has 1,600 lumens and would be ideal for searching for someone in the night, clearing a house, or investigating a crime scene. It’s also water resistant.
The LAPG Patrol Car/Truck Seat Organizer or vehicle organizer was just what I needed for all of my equipment and paperwork. Though I am no longer a crime scene investigator, I am still a private investigator with an emphasis on forensics. That being said, the organizer held all of my “tools” that I need from time to time. It has several pockets and the inner ones are large which fit my notebooks, and legal forms. The smaller pockets were great for gloves, small, backup camera, flashlight, fingerprinting supplies and more. There is even a small, transparent pouch for my business cards. Whether you have a patrol car or are undercover, this organizer will fit everything you need and more! The LAPG Commuter and School backpack is large enough to fit everything you need without being bulky. I liked that aspect and used mine as a range bag. I was able to fit several boxes of ammo, a flashlight, ear protection and firearms in it without trouble. With so many pockets your gear can stay organized so you can find it easily too.
Law enforcement is now a world for men and women. Every day, every shift, men and women work along side each other to protect their communities. Whether you’re a female officer on the street, an academy instructor, or a crime scene technician, there is women’s gear made just for you.
Hilary Rodela
Hilary Rodela is currently a Surveillance Officer, a former Private Investigator, a former Crime Scene Investigator, and Evidence Technician. She worked for the Ruidoso (NM) Police Department as well as the Lubbock (TX) Police Department. She has written for several public safety publications and has extensive law enforcement and forensic training and is pursuing forensic expertise in various disciplines. Hilary is a freelance public safety writer and curriculum developer for the National Investigative Training Academy.
