Christmas Wish List 2024

As a career officer, I always thought it would be or was easy to “shop for a cop.” Given that the profession extends beyond the on-the-clock hours, it becomes a lifestyle as much as a job, and that means that a lot of the tools or items we’d use on duty can be as appreciated off-duty. On this wish list are six items that reflect versatility and utility, both enhancing true value for the on- or off-duty officer. Let’s get to them.

This article appeared in the November/December issue of OFFICER Magazine. Click Here to subscribe to OFFICER Magazine.

First up is the 5-in-1 Jacket 2.0 from 5.11. Yes, the MSRP is $270 (discounted as this article is prepared) but consider that you get five useful garments in one package, do the math, and you get each garment for $54. That’s a bargain no matter what you’re looking at. This jacket incorporates a few features that increase its value and versatility. The removable hood that can be stored in the collar or kept in a pocket is handy to have when it rains, especially if you don’t want it attached except when needed. The two-way front zipper adds to comfort potential, and the 10k/10k waterproof/blood-borne pathogen rating makes it protective beyond keeping you dry. Mix and match the composite parts to create the outer garment that best suits your needs day to day. It’s hard to beat that kind of versatility and utility.

Next up is the Casio GSHOCK GD010 watch that we just tested and awarded our OFFICER Labs Rated-Field Tested approval to. Both Casio and GSHOCK are terms well known in the military and law enforcement communities simply based on the long-known (about five decades) proven performance, durability, ruggedness and functions available.

If you consider tools and usefulness, we’ve listed a multi-function outer garment, a multi-function rugged watch, and we need to add a multi-functional tool. In this case, the Nextorch MT20 multi tool is on the list. This tool is one of the few we’ve seen built around full-size trauma shears and includes replaceable premium wire cutters. (Replaceable? Where else have you ever seen that?) It’s available in grey stonewash OR high-visibility red, which we would encourage you to consider if your agency frowns on “knives” carried on duty. This is a rescue and medical tool with included features (14 total) that provide a lot of other utility.

No such list would be complete without an illumination tool, and in this case we’re including two, both from ASP Inc., and both powerful while also being compact (think convenient) and rechargeable: the Scribe and the Pulse. Both are essentially pen-size lights, while the Pulse actually looks like a thick pen. The Scribe has a max light output of 400 lumens, more than enough for any job you encounter, with the Pulse pushing out 250 lumens. If, for some reason, you don’t have the recharging cord, the lithium-ion battery can be switched out for two common AAA batteries.

The final item on this list is from Talon Grips and would be a set of adhesive grips for whatever your officer’s favorite off-duty gun may be. Easy to install and providing a greater tactile feel of security for the handgun, Talon Grips are an inexpensive yet high value addition to any gun.

That’s the Christmas Wish List for 2024. Pick and choose, but get a few for your officer!