Why two is better than one.

From one of my Police1 articles

Just as officers should always have a backup plan, they should always have backup gear.

Policing is about being prepared to survive in an unpredictable environment. Many times, when a crisis occurs, an officer is alone. Knowledge is part of being able to survive until help arrives, as is having the right equipment at hand. When it comes to gear, here are 10 examples of when two are better than one:

1. Every officer should carry a primary weapon and a backup firearm (if department policy permits); hence, there should be two firearms. Note that the primary firearm should have a tactical light attached. There should be at least two reloading devices for both the primary and backup weapons.

2. Every officer should have at least two flashlights available. While one is on the primary weapon, I prefer to have one small flashlight on my belt or in my pocket and a larger one to light up the night. Remember, no checking a DL with the light attached to your firearm.

3. Always carry two sets of handcuffs. Many times, more than one person is arrested during the same incident. Also, everyone should take a creative handcuffing class to understand better the use of more than one set of cuffs.

4. I recommend carrying two wallets and leaving both in the patrol vehicle. Officers should have one wallet for their police credentials and one for everything else. There is never a need to flash your badge when buying groceries.

5. A second pair of glasses must be available if an officer wears eyeglasses or contacts. In the FBI shootout in Miami in 1986, one agent lost his eyeglasses, and this caused a suspect identification problem.

6. Taking notes, writing reports, and issuing citations take lots of ink. Keep a second pen nearby.

7. Policing is dangerous, so I recommend carrying two knives so either hand can reach one when needed. Also, it is essential to be able to open the knives with one hand.

8. Officers should carry two handcuff keys – one to be used regularly and one hidden. The hidden key is in case an officer is taken hostage.

9. There is always a need to have two sets of police vehicle keys. Sometimes, the vehicle must be left running, and the officer must be outside of the car.

10. Keep a second set of uniforms or plain clothes available. Occasionally, an officer might need plain clothes for a quick operation. There is also a need for a second uniform, as many things can happen to the uniform the officer is wearing.

Other times when two is better than one

1. When searching a person, vehicle, or building, always search a second time. If an officer can't search a second time, have another search the second time. If you find an item, keep searching.

2. Read all paperwork and submitted reports a second time, or get another officer to play devil's advocate and review your work. A second pair of eyes is always a better way to check all work.

3. Twenty-nine states, including Washington, D.C., require you to have a front license plate mounted on your vehicle. Here's the complete list of states that currently require a front license plate:

California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

4. Finally, always try to have a backup plan. Do you know what you will do if your radio fails or the scene you are on turns horribly wrong?