Hindi Duty Belt SAFETY System

When I first became a cop, some 25+ years ago now (geez, I'm old), the placement of items on a duty belt was quite hap-hazard. The gun went in a specific spot, but everything else went wherever was comfortable. Very little guidance existed aside from the veterans who said, "This worked for me." Now, thanks to Officer Bob Hindi, there is a placement plan that is both ergonomic and supporting officer safety. I was, at first, overwhelmed by the time and research Hindi put into his system. I'll do my best to hit the high spots, whys and wherefores in this review.

The proper name, as you can see from the photo, is the "Hindi Duty Belt S.A.F.E.T.Y. System". The acronym stands for Safer Accessibility and Faster, more Effective Tactics for You! When I first started looking at the system I did so because a few people whose opinion I valued suggested I take a look. My first thought was, "It's a gun belt. Stuff goes on it the way I want it to - as it best works for me." Then I thought some more about it... maybe there was something additional that needed to be looked at.

Officer Robert (Bob) Hindi had done more than just look at it a little. As I later found out he had spent almost seven years studying what pieces of equipment would or should go on a gunbelt and where they should be placed, and - most importantly - why they should have that placement. SEVEN YEARS. That's a third of most officer's careers in law enforcement. Bob's research included consulting with a variety of medical experts in various fields to include:

• A Vestibular Balance Doctor: specializing in human equilibrium and balance.
• A neurological spine surgeon: specializing in the nervous system in the spine
• An ergonomic doctor (more than one actually): specializing in making our environment as comfortable and efficient for our bodies to work in as possible
• A Chiropractor: an expert in body structure and bone manipulation
• An orthopedic bone doctor: dealing with the skeletal system and associated muscles, joints and ligaments.

That's a lot of medical input. If you look at what's covered, Bob's research and consultations covered everything that might be impacted - positively or negatively - by the gunbelt and placement of equipment thereon. Additionally, as with anything that affects how we cops do our job, there is always a tactical consideration. Something can be done in a medically safe fashion but end up being tactically dangerous. In this case, Bob has double checked that all of the medical recommendations don't have any negative impact on the tactical considerations.

The Hindi Duty Belt S.A.F.E.T.Y. System includes a very specific list of immediate life-saving equipment, how it's positioned on the belt, and at what angle for maximum efficiency of reach and deployment. The equipment included is:

• Firearm holster
• Baton w/ Hindi Baton Cap
• Locking swivel holder for baton
• ECD (TASER or other)
• OC Spray
• Glove Pouch
• Keepers
• Radio w/ shoulder microphone and cord

Bob's published material states that any deviation from any of the listed items, or if any one item is not used, then you end up with a gunbelt that is NOT conforming to the Hindi Duty Belt S.A.F.E.T.Y. System. The only two items I know of that are on every cop's belt but aren't listed above are a magazine pouch and a handcuff pouch. The controls Officer Hindi places on magazine pouch is that it be placed in a vertical position (to cut down on how much real estate it eats on the belt and to prevent it from being obstructed when it needs to be opened). A single or double handcuff pouch can be placed, also mounted vertically. In today's day and age of technology there is often also a microphone and transmitting pack for officer-worn audio to accompany the in-car video systems.

The 40 minute DVD produced about the Hindi Duty Belt S.A.F.E.T.Y. System is an in depth look at and explanation of the system and WHY each piece of equipment should be placed where he recommends and at what angle. After viewing it - and some parts of it multiple times to make sure I understood or to debate something with myself - I can say that it makes pretty good sense. Every thing listed above is addressed and understandable reasons given for why it should be put where Bob recommends. If your agency wants to adopt the system, Officer Hindi has a six hour training course available.

Now, me? I'm a cynic. I tend to think that anyone who is selling something might not be entirely benevolent in their preaching. So I have to admit that I went at my study of the Hindi Duty Belt S.A.F.E.T.Y. System with a skeptical attitude. I mean, how much can it REALLY matter where my glove pouch is? As long as I can reach it, right? Wrong. And the reasons given in the DVD make such a strong case that I was left kind of feeling like, "Why didn't I think about that?" It only makes Hindi's case stronger when you go back and look at that list of medical experts he's talked with during his research of the gunbelt we all wear.

So, I'm left having to recommend that you study the system; I think you'll find it of high value. Contact information and further info about his S.A.F.E.T.Y. System is available on his website. Now that I know what he teaches through his DVD, I'll be taking the info back to my agency and encouraging every officer to review it. Where applicable (due to equipment considerations) I will try to make it the standard used by the officers I train.

Stay safe!