| The frequency of police officers carrying a knife | | | | that are designed for officers or tactical use have |
| on duty has increased over the past few years. | | | | a blade that extends three-and-a-half to four |
| While it is a convenient weapon of utility, it can be | | | | inches in length. A fixed blade knife should come |
| a method of self-defense in risky situations. Some | | | | with a sturdy carrying case, but one can be |
| police departments have specific policies and | | | | purchased separately, depending on the |
| regulations on the types and sizes of permissible | | | | manufacturer. The handle should be comfortable |
| edged weapons. Carrying a knife brings an | | | | to grip, making it easy to use and unlikely to drop |
| additional responsibility for personal safety and the | | | | or slip from control. |
| safety of others. Here are a few things to | | | | Location |
| consider when using knives on duty. | | | | Carrying a weapon in a visible location has its |
| Purpose | | | | advantages and disadvantages. Clipping it to the |
| One of the most popular reasons officers carry | | | | upper inside portion of the pants pocket makes it |
| knives is to cut seat belt straps at the scene of | | | | very convenient to access, not only for the user, |
| motor vehicle crashes. It is sometimes a matter | | | | but also for an assailant. Some types can be |
| of life and death as to whether someone can get | | | | carried in the pants pocket inside a special sheath. |
| out of their car. It may be on fire or perhaps | | | | This is safer and more practical, but less |
| there are extensive injuries to the people inside. | | | | accessible and can interfere with comfort and |
| For those that rarely, if ever, answer MVA calls, it | | | | become dislodged when sitting behind the wheel |
| may not be necessary to carry a knife. There | | | | of a vehicle if not secured properly. A safer and |
| may be more danger of accidental injury or | | | | less visible location would be inside a vest pocket. |
| capture of the edged weapon that makes | | | | This is still easily accessed by the user, but less |
| carrying one less sensible and appealing. If it will be | | | | so by anyone else. |
| more of a hindrance than a help, do not take on | | | | Use |
| the responsibility of the knife on duty. | | | | Knowing how to properly use a knife is above all |
| Type | | | | the most important part of carrying it. Practice |
| Hardness and durability of the material is | | | | removing and using it until it becomes an instant |
| important to effectiveness. Choose the toughest | | | | reflex. The more frequently it is used, the more |
| type affordable with the available resources. If it | | | | agile the movements and safer the edged |
| is going to break during use, it is best not to | | | | weapon user will be. If it is tucked away in a |
| waste time or money on its purchase. There are | | | | drawer or pocket and never trained with or used, |
| countless kinds to consider, from the standard | | | | it will likely become a liability rather than an asset. |
| folding knife to the fixed blade knife. Most kinds | | | | |