In a recent tip regarding shoulder mic placement, Officer Curtis Diaz of the Metropolitan DC Police Department said: “I like the mic on my strong side shoulder because if I’m shooting, I can reach across my body and still operate the mic with my weak hand.” (Read the tip)
The primary reason I DON’T wear the mic on my shoulder is so I don’t expose my armpit while using the mic. Two reasons:
1. Being hit in this area is most likely going to be a fatal shot, as very few (if any) concealable armor protects this area and there are vital organs under there.
2. When I used to wear it on my shoulder, I had a tendency to turn/tilt my head to speak into the mic. That takes my eyes off the suspect.
I saw a video where a patrolman/trooper was killed while trying to talk on his shoulder-mounted mic while shooting it out with a suspect. While laying on the ground after being shot multiple times, the suspect got a “lucky” shot and hit the officer under his left arm, causing him to bleed out and die. (As a side note, there’s a time to shoot and a time to talk on the radio. I don’t believe these times coincide with each other very often, if at all).
I now wear my “shoulder” mic on the front of my chest at about pocket level. I run the cord along the front of my shirt and secure the cord using the top still-usable shirt button (I have shirt zippers installed)
Dispatch can hear me without me having to turn my head away from the threat. I can also hear just fine since it’s right under my chin.
If the mic falls or gets ripped off my chest, the button will hold the cord and mic nearby. I can fend off a choking attack by using both my arms to keep the cord from being wrapped around my neck. The cord isn’t wrapped around my back, making a tempting target for someone standing behind me. It also is easier on the cord if it isn’t stretched out and jammed under a keeper or magazine pouch.
Just my 2 cents. Stay safe whatever you do.