Trending Topics

6 holiday gift ideas for cops

From charitable donations to tactical gear, below are some gift ideas for cops by a cop

It’s that time of year again! I’ve gathered up six gift ideas for police officers. But before I get to them, I want to recommend (as I’ve done in the past) a charity organization you should consider giving a holiday donation to.

Find your local chapter of C.O.P.S. (Concerns of Police Survivors) and support them by volunteering or giving a donation in your name or in the name of someone else (a great gift idea).

Without further ado, here are six gifts that any law enforcement professional will love.

1. Henry Classic Lever Action .22

(Henry Repeating Arms Image)

Anyone who knows about the history of the original lever action repeating rifles will understand the draw of the Henry Rifle. The Henry H001 rimfire has a smooth action and accuracy that belies the price. I’ve put hundreds of rounds through the one I’m testing, and this has to be the best bargain in firearms right now.

All Henry Lever Actions are made in the U.S., using American labor and parts. They are faithful to the legacy and their quality is amazing.

MSRP $360

2. Gunfighters INC Kenai Chest Holster

(Gunfighters INC Image)

The Gunfighters INC Kenai Chest Holster has one of the most unique designs on the market. It consists of a Kydex scabbard suspended from three points, which places the firearm high on the chest. This design provides an unobstructed fast draw without straps or any devices. It’s the fastest way to get the gun into play that I have ever seen.

The Kenai Chest Holster was not necessarily designed for concealed carry. In fact, it was made for outdoor use, where other methods of carry would be impractical. It is perfect for paddling, hunting or hiking.

Not only does my .40 S&W Shield fit under my waders, I can draw and fire accurately faster than my strong side carry, simply because the gun is prepositioned.

One thing that users will notice right away is that this holster is comfortable and quiet. The weight distribution allows for a full day of wear, and the gun is still available during nature calls. It’s made of quality materials and there are dozens of applications. For example, any air insertion assignment calls for this rig.

The Kenai Chest Holster can be purchased for a wide variety of handguns, including bear-resistant-sized revolvers. Their MSRP is around $150, but retired officers receive 10 percent off and active officers get 20 percent off.

3. Left of Bang: How the Marine Corps’ Combat Hunter Program Can Save Your Life

(Black Irish Entertainment Image)

If you are in combat arms, you probably have either read or heard about this book by Patrick Van Horne and Jason Riley. The impact of this book is along the magnitude of “The Book of Five Rings.”

Written by Marine combat veterans, the authors describe the lessons learned from the Marine Combat Hunter program. The purpose of this book is to teach the reader in recognizing anomalies and applying tactical decision-making. The authors describe prevailing in combat as a means of recognizing behavior and factors outside of the baseline and categorizing and responding to them.

The price varies, but Amazon carries the paperback for $19.95.

4. Swiss Army Rescue Tool

(Victorinox Image)

What multi-tool knife fits in the pocket, glows in the dark, has a seat belt cutter, glass breaker and a disc saw for shatterproof glass? Did I mention this knife has a one-handed opening locking blade? I find the ergonomics of the Swiss Army Rescue Tool to be exemplary.

At a $90 MSRP, every officer should have one.

5. SPOT Gen 3

(Spot Image)

The SPOT Gen3 satellite communicator is designed to give you peace of mind outside of cellular reach.

The SPOT Gen3 is palm sized and weighs 4 oz. It is MIL-STD-810F and IPX7 waterproof. It can send an “I’m OK” message, which includes the ability for friends and family to track your trek through the wilderness. It can be set for motion-activated tracking or continuous tracking.

It can send a signal to mobilize a rescue. More importantly, it can send a pre-recorded text or summon non-emergency help, like signal a vehicle breakdown.

I go fly fishing with a guy who knows all these hidden streams in the Sierras. His ability to guide is limited to “…turn left here.” That is, he can never point to a USGS map and tell my wife where exactly we will be going. By the time I know the turn off, we are out of cell range. The SPOT Gen3 has resolved this and reduced the silent treatment when I arrive after dark.

The SPOT Gen3 has an MSRP of $169.95 and service is roughly $14.99 a month. This is an amazing price for peace of mind.

6. Blue Line Beasts

(Blue Line Beasts Image)

I really want only one clothing item this year. It’s a Blue Line Strong sleeveless tee. The thin blue line in the shirt is a barbell.

MSRP is $21.99.

Above all, stay safe.

I wish everyone a very happy holiday season.

Lindsey Bertomen is a retired police officer and retired military small arms trainer. He teaches criminal justice at Hartnell College in Salinas, California. He has a BS in Criminal Justice and an MS in Online Teaching and Learning. Lindsey has taught shooting techniques for over a decade. His articles on firearms tactics have appeared in print for over a decade. Lindsey enjoys competing in shooting sports, running, and cycling events.
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU