LEGEAR Australia Blog

Vidmic now available from LEGEAR Australia & New Zealand

2008-05-31T09:02:51Z

VIDMIC, has taken the USA by storm and is now available from LEGEAR Australia and New Zealand.

Fully operational shoulder mic with:
• Digital Video Recorder
• Digital Audio Recorder
• Camera (still photos)

Replaces officers' regular mic
– Works with most radios
– Takes full colour digital video & photos
– Three hours of video/audio record time
– Powered by own battery
– Wall and automobile chargers included
– Kit included for downloading data to computer
– Images cannot be deleted from VidMic to prevent evidence tampering

Saves departments & individuals money & time
• Protects departments and individual officers from frivolous law suits
• Dramatically reduces hours spent on writing reports. Officer on
scene can use VidMic to record an audio report without stopping
to write out by hand
• Allows for implementing a chain of custody of evidence protocol

To read more on the VIDMIC click on the link below...

]]> Video recorder is new tool for cops
Jeremy Duda - DAILY HERALD
The next time you talk to a cop in American Fork, remember to smile. You're on camera.

EHS Inc., a Spanish Fork company that specializes in communications equipment for law enforcement and military personnel, is touting its latest product, the VIDMIC, a microphone and video camera combination that clips onto the front of an officer's uniform.

The device is one of a kind, with nothing else like it on the market, said Mike Marshall, the vice president of sales for EHS and one of the inventors of the VIDMIC. The American Fork Police Department was the first in the country to start using the VIDMIC, and in the past three months, nearly 80 other agencies have followed suit. Another 300 agencies are testing the product now, Marshall said, including Ogden, West Valley City and the University of Utah parking police.

"We've taken the shoulder mic and housed it so now every officer is basically a walking camera," Marshall said at a media event on Thursday at the American Fork Police Department.

Lt. Sam Liddiard of the American Fork Police Department said VIDMIC is the "up and coming thing" in law enforcement today. The department initially bought only a few of the $700 devices, but was so sold on it that it quickly outfitted all 33 of its officer with VIDMICs.

"We've been waiting for something like this for years," Liddiard said.

The device, which looks like a small walkie talkie, can be turned on with the simple push of a button whenever an officer pulls someone over or responds to a call. The one-gigabyte memory can hold up to three and a half hours of video, Marshall said, or 1,000 photographs from its 5.2-megapixel still camera.

Robby Lapp, a manufacturer's representative working with EHS, called the VIDMIC an "indisputable witness." It sees everything the officer sees, so instead of the usual he-said-she-said dynamic that is often seen after an arrest or when a complaint is lodged against an officer, investigators can just turn to the VIDMIC.

Most police and sheriff's departments use dashboard-mounted cameras, Marshall said, but only about 25 percent of the things an officer does are in front of the car. The other 75 percent is what the VIDMIC is for.

For example, if an officer pulls a car over and sees drugs on the seat, he'll arrest the driver. But later, the suspect can always claim that the drugs weren't visible and the officer conducted an illegal search. If that officer was wearing a VIDMIC, there will be no dispute that the drugs were in plain sight.

VIDMIC video footage has a high enough resolution that it's admissible as evidence in court, but many cases that involve the device will never get that far, Lapp said. Defense attorneys are often reluctant to go to trial if they know there's video of their clients' misdeeds. Lapp cited one department where indisputable VIDMIC footage led a rape suspect to plead guilty.

By forcing more criminals to plead guilty instead of taking their cases to trial, the VIDMIC could potentially save cities and counties hundreds of thousands of dollars in prosecution costs, Lapp said. An officer involved in the rape case Lapp mentioned told him that the VIDMIC probably saved at least $100,000.

"If you've been recorded doing something with video and audio, there's no way you can refute that," Lapp said.

The VIDMIC also protects officers who are accused of improprieties on the job. Marshall said 96.2 percent of officers who are charged with misconduct are exonerated when video evidence is available, and many people will simply drop their complaint if they know the encounter was recorded.

"I think the main thing is this protects officers from frivolous lawsuits and claims, it reduces agency liability, and it also increases successful prosecution," Marshall said.

The evidence can go both ways, Liddiard said. Having a VIDMIC on during an encounter helps officers stay professional, he said, and any misconduct by the officer will be plain for all to see. Officers can view the footage they've taken on duty, but only their superiors have the codes needed to edit or erase those videos.

"If an officer is doing something wrong, it's going to catch that also," Liddiard said.

• Jeremy Duda can be reached at 344-2561 or jduda@heraldextra.com.

"Some Oklahoma police departments and county sheriff's departments state are equipping officers with the VIDMIC, a device that can record audio and video and take still pictures, reports The Oklahoman. The device is clipped on the officer's shoulder, much like the shoulder microphones most officers wear. 'I'm sitting here thinking there's got to be a downside, but there really isn't,' said Catoosa School District Police Chief Kevin McKim. 'I can't think of a negative for it. It reduces the amount of frivolous lawsuits, reduces an agency's liability and reduces court appearance time for officers. If somebody makes a complaint, we're able to review it and handle it immediately.' "

"The device is cheaper than a dashboard camera, which is good only if an officer is in or near a patrol car. The recording device costs about $600. Video can be downloaded to a computer and reviewed. Each device can record audio and video for about three hours, said Mike Marshall of EHS Inc., a Utah-based company that makes the VIDMIC. The recording device began selling five months ago and so far, 180 law enforcement agencies worldwide are using it. The recording devices are being used by police departments in Los Angeles, New York City, Chicago, San Diego and Miami."

PentagonLight X2 Review

2008-01-02T21:33:38Z

I’ll be honest. I’m one of those guys that loves new “toys”, especially if they have anything at all to do with my duties / experience in Police, Military or working overseas. So when Josh from LEGEAR on the Gold Coast asked me to review the X2 from PentagonLight, I jumped at the chance. Having owned and used a few Mag-lites, and about half-a-dozen Surefire torches over the years, I know what a good high-end flashlight should be able to do.

At first glance, the X2 appears like any number of lights I’ve used before. The claims on the packaging were fairly runof-the-mill too:

70 LumensAnti-Abrasive & Anti-Reflective;
Shock and recoil resistant;
Anti-roll tail cap

Yep, I’ve heard it all before.
Now one of the claims about the X2 is that it is “built like a tank.” I make no claim to expertise in how tanks are built, but as soon as I held the X2 I blurted out to my attentive dogs (who probably thought I was opening some food), “solid”. And it is. The X2 has a comforting solid feel about it that I have not noticed in any other light I have used before. Sure, it is a little heavier than a lot of lights out there, but I don’t mind carrying some extra weight of a reliable tool that won’t snap in half when used
in the real-world, and the X2 makes no claim to being “lightweight”.

The very next thing I noticed about the X2, and something that I have never before seen on any other light I have used, is that the threads and rubber o-rings on this light are already lubricated. That is a sign of care in the manufacture of a flashlight, and I have to say I was impressed.

The X2 comes with two Lithium CR123A batteries, which are the standard for this range of lights. Once the batteries were in, the next thing I noticed about the X2 that I have not experienced before is a “heavy” switch. The switch, described as a “push on tactical switch” is in the tail-cap, which again is the norm, but requires a definite push as opposed to a light touch that most other lights require. This in itself is not a plus or minus, but merely a feature that requires some getting used to. The switch itself can be deactivated merely by twisting the tail-cap a half-turn, thereby preventing accidental activation.

One of the claims of the X2 is that the tail-cap is anti-roll. Being a pentagram shape, the tail-cap does prevent roll on very slight inclines, but that’s about it. I wouldn’t expect it to be still sitting on the dash of my vehicle if I braked or accelerated suddenly, but that in itself is a minor feature, and not a reason in itself to invest in a tool such as this.

Now in my experience, most issue tools don’t hold up to hard use. So my review of this light was not going to be a walk in the park for this product. As soon as I finished checking out the functions, and making sure it worked straight out of the box, (it did), I immediately threw it into my hydro-resistant testing device, commonly referred to as a “spa”, and left the X2 in more than two feet of water. Over a period of 24 hours, I would wander over, stick my arm shoulder-deep in 9 water, and switch on the light while it was still in the water, leave it on for a while, turn it off, and leave it again. After 24 hours of this, (the prettier half wouldn’t let me keep it in there any longer), I took the X2 out and disassembled it. There was not a hint of moisture inside the product anywhere. The “Hard Anodized Exterior” also shed water faster than I expected, with the light being nearly dry by the time I walked into the house. Now there is no claim by PentagonLight that the X2 is waterproof, but after having my torch die on me whilst chest deep in the crocodile infested mangroves of the NT at night, looking for a violent offender, I want to know that a duty light will work when NEEDED.

The X2 claims to have 60 minutes of run time, so I replaced the batteries with some brand new ones, turned it on, and started my stop-watch. High-tech huh? It doesn’t have 60 minutes of run time. I found it to be 80 minutes. At that time the X2 became noticeably dimmer. After 100 minutes I found the light to be barely noticeable. Not bad. Obviously this is not the type of light to be used for week-long low-light searches, or for helping you write in your ticket book and again, it makes no claim to be used for that purpose. It is a tactical light, and as such is used for tactical requirements such as searching rooms, lighting up the interior of apprehended vehicles, chasing offenders, and even as a use of force option.

Yes, I said as a use of force option. The X2, at 70 Lumens, is bright enough that in the middle of a sunny day, you can shine the X2 into the eyes of a suspect, and he / she will automatically close their eyes and look away. The difference between an issue mag-lite and a light such as the X2 is one of apple and cheese. About the only thing I used my maglite for after a couple of years was knocking on doors, and even then it became useless.

Now the X2 utilises a 6-volt xenon bulb that is claimed to be 12 times brighter than conventional flashlights. I don’t have access to a light-output measuring instrument, so I can’t test that claim. What I do know, is that issue lights such as the mag-lites measure their lights in terms of candlepower, whereas high-end tactical lights such as Surefire and PentagonLight measure their products in Lumens. Lumens and Candlepower measure different types of light output, such as illumination distance, source illumination, etc etc, and even I find it difficult to understand sufficiently to enable my interpreting it to readers. Suffice to say, that if you used your issue mag-lite in the use of force scenario I described above, the suspect wouldn’t even realise you were shining a light in his / her eyes.

What else? Oh yes, the claim to be “Shock and Recoil Resistant.” The X2 comes with a “spring-deflected lamp with complete battery compartmentalization.” I won’t bore you with describing the mechanics of that system, but I will describe how I tested it. I dropped the X2. I threw the X2. I bounced the X2 down concrete and rock steps. After every “shock and recoil resistant” test I conducted, I hit the tactical switch. And every time it turned on flawlessly. Over a period of a week, I continually tested the X2 this way, and every time it came up fighting. I was tempted to drive my 5 tonne armoured truck over it, but decided I liked this thing too much to do that to it.

So it’s tough. But how does it work as a light? The X2 will clearly light up a dark 50 meter-long hallway, to the extent that you can clearly make out facial features of a person, and clearly be able to identify if they are holding a weapon. Out to approximately 100 meters, it will allow you to recognise people, what clothes they are wearing, and still make out if they are armed. The beam itself is noticeable out to approximately 300 meters, and 10 more so on a moonless night with no other lighting around. That is pretty damn impressive in a source the size of a pistol magazine. Try doing that with your issue maglite.

As stated, it was Josh from LEGEAR who asked me to review this light. If it was crap, I would not hesitate to say so. But it isn’t. It is a solid, reliable, and powerful hand-held light source that can be worn on your duty belt, or kept in your pocket any time of the day or night, can withstand the rigours of your duties, and be a very good source of light when you NEED it.

For everything to do with Law Enforcement visit www.responseaustralia.net

About the author:
Doug Nicholson served for over 9 years with the Northern Territory Police Force, during which time he worked in remote Aboriginal Communities, was a General Duties Shift Supervisor at the busiest Station in the jurisdiction and became a qualified Workplace Assessor and Trainer. He has travelled to the US for advanced training, and is currently studying for a degree in Security, Terrorism, and Counter-Terrorism.
Doug can be contacted at editor@responseaustralia.net

SAFARILAND Introduces New Rapid Light System

2007-11-13T07:13:33Z

ONTARIO, Calif.—Safariland Ltd, Inc., a BAE Systems company, one of the world’s largest suppliers of holsters and duty gear, announced today the introduction of the Rapid Light System (RLS™) for law enforcement, security personnel, and civilians that combines a gun-mounted light, and hand held flashlight into one integrated light system.

“The concept and development of the RLS is revolutionary to this industry, yet it is an incredibly simple design,” said Scott Carnahan, director of Marketing, Safariland. “RLS reduces the amount of equipment that law enforcement and tactical personnel must carry by providing a single product that addresses multiple situations with ease and flexibility. It is also a great tool for civilian use.”

Offering maximum versatility and usability, the RLS system employs a single, ultra-bright flashlight and separate gun mount with a built-in clip. The flashlight mounts onto any weapon incorporating an integral rail or Picatinny rail system, including rifles and shotguns. Designed to mount in two quick and easy steps, the RLS slides onto a weapon’s rail and “locks” into place, rapidly transitioning from standard flashlight for hand-held use to tactical illumination. The light can easily be removed from the mount and the belt clip secures easily to belts or garments, eliminating the need for additional equipment on an already full duty belt.

With ultra-bright LED technology, the RLS flashlight is bright enough to serve as an officer’s primary light system, providing more than 50 hours of use with just three AAA batteries. The standard push button provides controllable on/off illumination of a target, minimizing loss of handgrip, sight picture and exposure.

The RLS mount can be purchased separately, allowing the user to attach their own compact flashlight. It can accommodate a variety of compact lights ranging from .97 inches to 1.06 inches in diameter.

With the new Safariland Rapid Light System (RLS), you get a professional-quality hand-held light and gun-mounted light all in one. You can clip it onto your belt, hold it in your hand, or quickly mount it to your gun for an instant tactical advantage. There’s no need to buy an expensive holster to carry a light-mounted gun. No reason to carry a second primary light. You will always have a bright light whenever and wherever you need it. It’s the only light you need. Period.

Ambidextrous
Super-bright LED technology (65 lumens) — bright enough to be your primary light; Prism Reflector System penetrates light up to 350 feet
3 AAAs provide over 50 hours use—no expensive proprietary batteries needed
Integral clip for easy securement to belt or garment—no dedicated light mount holster needed
Fits most handgun models that incorporate an integral rail system—also mounts to rifles and shotguns that have a picatinny rail
Quickly transitions from standard flashlight to tactical illumination
Can be operated with either thumb, or change to other side to operate with trigger finger; Push button provides controllable on/off illumination of target to minimize loss of handgrip, sight picture and exposure
RLS mount will accommodate any hand-held compact light in the range of .970" (24.6mm) - 1.060" (26.9mm) in diameter

Can be ordered two ways: RLS™ Light/Mount System and RLS™ Mount only.

Converse Boots Written by Scott Oldham, Tactical Response Magazine

2007-10-07T05:20:16Z

For those of us who are in the thirty-something generation, we have but one thought when we hear the word "Converse": High top tennis shoes, specifically the high top canvas "Chuck Taylor All-Star" basketball shoe that has been worn by many of the NBA's greatest athletes. Converse, however, is much, much more than a simple tennis shoe company.

This forward thinking company has now branched out into other, more vital areas and has extended their expertise to those who play their game for keeps: law enforcement and the military. Those who go in harm's way now have Converse's long institutional memory of how to construct the perfect shoe for a given role on their side.

It all began several years ago with the often lauded GSG9 boot from Adidas. This boot introduced to the world the melding of an athletic shoe with a combat style boot. In the years that have passed since Adidas first introduced this boot, there have been several other manufacturers that have seen the wisdom in producing hybrid version of both shoes for use by elite military special operations groups and law enforcement personnel.

In combination with this trend there has been the overall movement of law enforcement and the military toward more mission and work appropriate footwear. The days of the uncomfortable but extremely shiny Adam-12 style parade shoes or combat boots being mandated for officers or troops simply due to their look has thankfully passed.

Today, officers are able to choose from a variety of purpose built footwear for every need. There are boots designed for the extreme cold, boots designed for the heat, waterproof boots, and boots that are sealed against blood-borne pathogens and other contaminates. There are also boots that are designed to provide the utmost in comfort while at the same time providing an officer with all of the necessary protection and an appropriate fit for active physical encounters.

Converse is a boot company that has answered the call of law enforcement and military communities with a variety of new products that have been purpose built to provide the ultimate in comfort without sacrificing the protection and athletic qualities of the shoe that they have so long based their company upon.

]]> In late 2004, Converse began marketing a series of boots and shoes that are aimed squarely at the uniformed law enforcement and military market. Joining the ranks of several other leading companies, Converse now markets one of the newest tactical boots to hit the market.

The Model C8874, also known as the Converse Side-Zip Tactical Boot, is a very aggressively styled, 8-inch tall boot that features a side zip opening and a host of other features that make it particularly attractive to officers and soldiers alike. Available in both standard black as well as desert tan, the C8874 was issued to several tactical and patrol officers for their review.

All of the officers involved in the test praised the boot for its extremely light weight and ease of care. The officers found that the boot was well cushioned in the appropriate areas making the boot feel more like a high top tennis shoe than a combat or tactical style boot. Officers found that the Converse Shock Elimination system featured on this boot did its job well by cushioning their step and making all day wear painless.

The aggressive tread of the boot aided in traction on slick surfaces and made climbing obstructions easy. The boot itself is constructed of a nylon/leather combination that makes for a very attractive appearance while at the same time making clean-up a snap.

Featuring a significant level of padding at and above the ankle as well as being constructed with both nonmetallic shanks and a non-metallic ANSI Class 75 safety toe, the boot provides for the top in wearer protection. The Converse Tactical boot proved itself to be very rugged resisting the nicks, tears, and other damage that many tactical boots succumb to over time.

The boot remained dry even though it was repeatedly submerged in water puddles such as what one would commonly encounter in an urban patrol environment. The only negative comment was that it took a period of time to fully break the boot in as the padding is so generous that it left some with the feeling of a heavily insulated moon style boot for a short period of time.

Several SWAT officers who tested the boot found that they were extremely quiet for stealth type approaches and found that the boot offered a very convenient and quick donning zip-up side. The Converse Tactical boot can be left laced and then donned via the side-zip feature which is unlike some other manufacturer's boots that are capable of being removed via the side zip feature, but are slow and sometimes uncomfortable to put on using the same.

The YKK zipper, one of the best such closures made, is sure in operation and is a heavy duty piece of equipment that should have a long life span in actual field use. The zipper is secured using a Velcro tab at the top of the boot to prevent it from becoming unzipped during strenuous activities as well as keeping the zipper fob from making noise as one walks.

In conjunction with the full size boot, Converse also offers officers a mid-height, 6-inch boot and a purpose built shoe that are more than up to the task at hand whether it be tactical operations or patrol. Many officers simply do not care for a full size boot for a variety of reasons. As a result of these dislikes, a mid-sized boot that fits just above the ankle is rapidly finding favor with many.

Converse produces the 6-inch Model C 8670 which offers officers who prefer this style of boot a menu of protections similar to the full sized boot without sacrificing any of the support and other creature comforts that they need and want. Officers who tested this boot found that it wore quite well, providing all that they require for a good, cost-effective value. Other comments of this boot duplicate those of the 8-inch version with all those involved in the test commenting on the level of padding in strategically placed areas and the effectiveness of the Converse Shock Elimination system

Converse also produces the Model C 8400 that is more of a traditionally styled, albeit very professional looking high top athletic shoe that many officers prefer to boots. Styled appropriately for uniform wear this shoe proved itself to be everything that one would expect from a shoe produced by such a prestigious company. Officers who tested this model praised the shoe itself as they stated that it was more in line with a civilian tennis shoe in terms of comfort and wear than with a more traditional boot.

All of the officers who tested it felt that the shoe was ideal for officers assigned to details where a boot or other similar shoe would be inappropriate. Officers assigned to a bike patrol unit would find this shoe very much to their liking with administrators finding that the style of the shoe is in keeping with uniform standards. As one would expect from Converse, the model C 8400 is a long wearing shoe that provides officers with footwear that they can walk or bike in for an entire shift without causing pain or discomfort.

Converse should be applauded for stepping up to the plate and using the many years of knowledge and experience in the athletic shoe field to produce high quality purpose build footwear for law enforcement and military operations. With prices that are easily affordable for all and aggressive modern styling, the Converse line of products without a doubt has something to offer to those who must go in harms way.

Scott Oldham is a Supervisory Sergeant with the City of Bloomington Police Department where he serves as the Tactical team leader for that agency

September Free Gear Giveaway Winners!

2007-10-01T05:07:15Z

Order 2818 N.Paulson VIC $285.50
Order 2736 H.Roberts SA $189.00
Order 2561 I.Cuthbertson NSW $112.50
Order 2718 M.Saleh QLD $461.80
Order 2789 S.Graham NZ $722.00

Congratulations to our winners of the September Free gear giveaway competition where customers could win back the cost of their order to spend on more gear!

HPRC Hard Protective Resin Cases available from LEGEAR

2007-09-22T01:39:35Z

Due to demand and the fact that we love this brand and not forgetting the quality LEGEAR Australia and New Zealand have added the HPRC range of waterproof protective cases to their range of high quality products.

HPRC injection molded shipping cases come from the Amabilia family of case manufacturers in Italy that have been perfecting cases since the 1950's. HPRC cases are unique because they use a patented plastic resin compound that makes them 20% lighter to reduce shipping costs and muscle fatigue.

HPRC also exclusively offers the LongLife series interior options by Portabrace, the leading manufacturer of soft protective cases. These interiors resist wear and tear better than standard perforated foam and are flexible to change as your needs change, both saving you time and money in the long-run.

HPRC cases are used in photography, video, boating, scuba, outdoor sporting, military, law enforcement, fire and rescue applications.

Available in Australia and New Zealand from LEGEAR Australia and New Zealand.

COP Knives now available from LEGEAR

2007-09-22T01:35:08Z

LEGEAR is always searching the world for quailty products and now we have just added the range of COP knives to our line up. COP knives are specifically designed for the Law Enforcement, Militray and Emergency services market. Check out the range.

http://www.legear.com.au/Cop-Knives-knives-for-Law-Enforcement-Professionals-s/357.htm

Police Law Enforcment Security Fourm at Cops.Com.Au

2007-09-20T08:49:39Z

We have just upgraded our COPS.COM.AU online community for Law Enforcement professionals. The Cops.Com.Au website now has a forum, news, products reviews, opinion polls (yes you can change the world!) and more!

check it out at www.cops.com.au

Winner of the July & August Free Gear Giveaway

2007-09-15T05:52:03Z

Winners of our August Free Gear Giveaway!
The following people placed orders during August and won their money back - Congratulations!
Order # 2504 M.Di Riscio, QLD 4217 $173.50
Order # 2329 S.Nixon, Auckland NZ $559.00
Order # 2244 M.White, Perth WA 6000 $821.00
Order # 2041 B.Davies, WA 6010 $141.00
Order # 2530 D.Keefe, QLD 4825 $88.50

Winners of our July Free Gear Giveaway!
The following people placed orders during July and won their money back - Congratulations!
Order # 1977 S.Shirley, VIC 3000 $1047.00
Order # 1734 J.Sanders, TN 38116 USA $269.00
Order # 1777 P.Cordon, QLD 4850 $744.00
Order # 2041 J.Ryan, VIC 3052 $149.00
Order # 2015 M.Murdock, QLD 4116 $165.00

Fire Retardant Nomex BDUs for Queensland Police

2007-08-24T22:41:23Z

When the Queensland Police Public Safety and Response approached LEGEAR Australia and New Zealand to see if we could source Nomex BDUs we contacted all of our suppliers and searched the world for a manufacturer. After alot of emails, phone calls and time we were unsuccessful in finding a manufacturer. But all was not lost. We decided to do it ourselves. We sourced the finest material, designers and seamstresses and we supplied a sample. They loved it! We then manufactured the uniform and now the Queensland Police Public Safety and Response Team are wearing the LEGEAR branded Nomex 3A Fire Retardant BDU.

In essential performance areas such as flame resistance, thermal protection, comfort and durability, no other brand compares to NOMEX®. Its thermal technology resists the hazards associated with electric arcs and flash fires - including intense heat and flame. And, NOMEX® brand fiber provides valuable peace-of-mind, which enables those who wear it to focus on the job at-hand and perform to their fullest potential. NOMEX® offers not only thermal protection, but exceptional light weight too. NOMEX® core can increase strength by 37 times while increasing weight by only 6%.

NOMEX® brand fibers ensure that those who rely on it perform to their fullest potential in the most extreme conditions imaginable

]]>
Apart from protests, PSRT officers also attend major events such as the Indy grand prix, the Gympie Music Muster, New Year's Eve celebrations, the Whitsunday Fun Races and Brisbane’s Riverfire. Sergeant Law said PSRT officers attended jobs throughout the state to assist general duties police. "While we are based in Brisbane, PSRT officers travel extensively. Officers have attended both rural and urban locations from the Gulf of Carpentaria to the South Australian and Northern Territory borders. "We provide tactical advice and assist in the planning of major operations that may attract large crowds. "People have the right to feel safe whether they are attending a protest or a festival. Our job is simply to keep the peace," he said. "We are specially equipped to respond in the interest of public safety to instances of confrontation, violence and other duties which exceed normal police responses. "For these reasons the members undergo a high level of training in order to provide them with the skills and knowledge they need to effectively carry out the required tasks."

PSRT officers operate in a team environment while performing high-risk duties. They are trained to operate in arrest, shield and close personal protection teams. Given the wide variety of jobs PSRT officers attend, Sergeant Law said it was imperative for the unit to be multi-skilled. "We have trained divers, search and rescue coordinators, explosive searchers, planning, and disaster management officers as well as officers with waterborne capabilities. "Members of PSRT also provide some instruction by way of specialist courses to general duties police and other members of the Specialist Services Branch. "The incidents we respond to usually attract a significant amount of public interest so it is important we act with expertise and the utmost professionalism," Sergeant Law said. 10/ PoliceBulletin 298 PSRT officers are trained to operate in arrest, shield and close personal protection teams.

Inova Flashlights available from LEGEAR

2007-08-24T22:22:36Z

LEGEAR Australia and New Zealand supplier of Inova Flashlights. Inova flashlights the most rugged, powerful and reliable LED lighting solutions in the world. With that end in mind, every choice in the design and manufacturing of Inova flashlights is driven by performance criteria with no gimmicky or superfluous elements. Expertly made by skilled craftsmen and precisely hand assembled in they offer year upon year of trouble-free use.

Download Inova LED Flashlight Catalogs
Purchase Inova Flashlights Online in Australia
Inova Flashlights more information click here

Catalogs
Inova X Series LED Flashlights
Inova Tactical LED Flashlights
Inova Bolt LED Flashlights
Inova Microlight LED Flashlights
Inova 24/6 LED Flashlights
Inova Catalog

Additional Converse Boots Added!

2007-08-23T21:39:27Z

Due to the popularity of Converse Boots, LEGEAR have extended their range!

Converse Desert Tan Rapid Response Boot
Converse Desert Tan 6" Side Zip Quarter Boot
Converse 6" Side Zip Quarter Boot
Converse Interceptor Tactical Waterproof 6" Side Zip Quarter Boot
Converse Interceptor Tactical Waterproof Side Zip
Converse Foot Pursuit 8" Boot
Converse Suregrip Plus Slip-on Shoe
Converse Desert Tan SideZip Composite Safety Toe
Converse Rapid Response 8" Waterproof SideZip Boot
Converse Rapid Response Safety Toe Side-Zip Boot

Since LEGEAR became the Distributor in Australia and New Zealand for Converse Boots in June 2007, the feedback and response has been unreal. Never have we experienced so many customers ringing or emailing us to tell us that these boots are the most comfortable boots they have ever worn. Here are some excerpts:

"These are the most comfortable boots I have ever worn in 25 years of Law Enforcement"
"This the best boot I have ever bought. After having four knee operations I needed a comfortable boot to wear. And this is the boot to wear if you have had injuries to your knee or legs, you won't be disappointed."
"I have been involved in security and law enforcement/corrections for nearly twenty years-in that time, I've worn a lot of different boots, looking for a boot that gives me all that I need to do the job, and I can honestly say that Converse boots meet all of those requirements, and a couple more-they're rugged & hard-wearing, comfortable and look good-everything you need in a boot. I run my own security K9 business-on my feet 12 to 14 hours a night, seven nights a week-consequently, my feet take a pounding, but my Converse come through every time-just bought my second pair in Desert tan. If you're looking for a great boot-Converse is the way to go!"
"Great boot for all conditions, the best all round boot for the money!"
"These are hands down the most comfortable boots I've ever worn. I should know, I used to contract with all major boot manufacturers and I've worn/owned every brand of boot for law enforcement and military that are made. For those that run, you actually get the bounce-back feel of a new running shoe with these boots. Buy these boots if you want comfort, support and durability."

5.11 Tactical Gear available from LEGEAR Australia and NZ

2007-08-10T14:32:54Z

5.11 Tactical Clothing 5.11 Tactical Products 5.11 Boots 5.11 Tactical Australia 5.11 Tactical New Zealand

5.11 Tactical Series create products that exceed the needs of our customers with functional innovation while delivering exceptional value.

5.11 Tactical Series creates superior products that enhance the safety, accuracy, speed and performance of law enforcement, military and firefighting professionals. Built on a foundation of durability, quality and value, 5.11 Tactical leads the industry by delivering functionally innovative gear, head to toe. Genuine 5.11 clothing, uniforms, outerwear, footwear, FR-x3™ fire retardant gear, ZB-7™ Trauma Pads and more.

What does ‘5.11’ stand for?
5.11 Tactical Pants with the patented tactical strap and slash pocket design were originally developed for rock climbing. “5.11” is a rock climbing difficulty level as listed in the Yosemite Decimal System. With skill levels ranging from 5.0 (easy) to 5.10 (difficult), 5.11 is even more grueling. 5.11 is officially defined as, “After thorough inspection, you conclude this move is obviously impossible; however, occasionally someone actually accomplishes it.”

INTRODUCING THE NEW DKX-1 VORTEX™

2007-08-09T11:28:00Z

The NEW DKX-1 VORTEX™ from DPG : Damascus Protective Gear® have a unique hybrid construction which combines high and low density materials to deliver maximum "cush", while the contoured ergonomic shape offers superior knee pad support. Part of the DKX-1’s secret is its GEL and GEL foam center cores which contain two types of shock-absorbing gels bonded together to create unsurpassed comfort. The GEL also absorbs body weight and disperses it within the pad. The NEW DKX-1 VORTEX™ from DPG : Damascus Protective Gear® have a unique hybrid construction which combines high and low density materials to deliver maximum "cush", while the contoured ergonomic shape offers superior knee pad support. Part of the DKX-1’s secret is its GEL and GEL foam center cores which contain two types of shock-absorbing gels bonded together to create unsurpassed comfort. The GEL also absorbs body weight and disperses it within the pad. The DKX-1 features a heavy-duty, hard-shell composite cap which is truly NON-SLIP and plants you firmly on any surface. The GEL cores and the unique caps then work together to produce the best possible knee zone protection from blunt force trauma. Perforated breathable neoprene coated with silicon at the tops of the pads hug the leg above the knee. 1000 denier nylon Cordura® braces and protects the rest of the knee area. Both straps feature silicone coated strips to prevent pads from slipping in motion. The knee pads are lined and protected with AEGIS Microbe Shield® which controls bacteria and fungus that cause odor, staining, and material deterioration. The ergonomic design of the DKX-1 as a unit conforms to the knees like no other and produces superb mobility. The pads have been extensively designed specifically for law enforcement and military to produce the highest level of durability and extended knee pad life. One of 25 NEW 2007 products made exclusively by DPG : Damascus Protective Gear® ABOUT DAMASCUS PROTECTIVE GEAR®: Damascus has become the leading supplier of quality gloves and other advanced protective gear for law enforcement, military, corrections, and other uniformed professionals worldwide. From cut and puncture resistant gloves to various levels of body protection, Damascus holds a competitive advantage within this industry category for design, technology, product selection, quality and price.

MultiCam available exclusively in Australia from LEGEAR

2007-07-26T21:18:59Z

THE BASICS

MultiCam™ is a single camouflage pattern designed to help the wearer hide in varied environments, seasons, elevations, and light conditions.

It was designed to address the real-world need for concealment in different environments, with one basic kit of gear.

While there are many great location-specific patterns. MultiCam™ is designed to work well across a very broad range of environmental conditions when observed in both the visual and near Infra Red (night vision) spectrums.

HOW IT WORKS

TAKES ON THE SHADES OF THE SURROUNDING ENVIRONMENT
The pattern is subtle enough to reflect some of the surrounding colors of the environment. It takes on an overall green appearance when under a green forest canopy and an overall tan look when in the open desert. By adapting to varying local lighting conditions, the pattern blends well in many environments, elevations, seasons, weather conditions, and times of the day.

DISGUISES VOLUME AND SHAPE
The design takes advantage of the way the human eye/brain perceives shape, volume and color. By using proprietary high resolution digital fades from one color to another, the colors and shapes of the pattern become hard to recognize and define. The wearer's profile begins to loose its edge and fades into whatever color or shape surrounds him. It works on the principle that an observer can see something but still not recognize it as anything to be interested in. Since only a very small portion of the human eye perceives color, the brain does a lot of “filling-in” for the eye. MultiCam™ takes advantage of this principle and helps the observer to “see” the pattern as part of the background.

BALANCED SCALE AND CONTRAST
The scale and contrast of the pattern elements are designed to work well when observed from both distant and close ranges. We all know the idea is to break-up or disguise the human form, but without a ghillie suit or a rock to get behind, this is typically done with heavy contrast between large elements of a pattern. However, high contrast, large element patterns stop working in open terrain (e.g. "chocolate chip" in open desert.) They also tend to stop working as the observer gets closer to the camouflage, since the large pattern elements end up being out of scale with the highly detailed surroundings of the observer. MultiCam™ relies more on a blending effect than a contrast effect to disguise the wearer. This effect allows it to perform in a wide range of environments, and keeps the pattern effective even at close distances.

HOW IT WAS DEVELOPED

The MultiCam™ pattern was developed by Crye Precision in co-operation with the US Army Natick Soldier Research Center, as an experiment to determine whether a single camouflage pattern could be effective in limiting the visual and near-IR signature of a person across a wider range of environments and seasons.

Soon after American forces first deployed to Afghanistan, a problem with the camouflage patterns used by the US armed forces became immediately apparent. Watching the daily footage of US Forces in the mountains of Afghanistan and the deserts of Iraq wearing Desert BDUs and Woodland gear and remembering that the same problem had shown up 10 years earlier in the first gulf war, we decided good camouflage for where you are might be better than perfect camouflage for somewhere else.

We spent a lot of time looking at how natural camouflage works, how animals blend with their environments and how natural objects take on the colors that surround them. We considered where it is hardest to hide and studied which terrain/environmental elements were common to as many environments as possible. We studied how light effects environmental elements. We also tracked the seasonal and elevation changes that affect any one region and tried to factor all this together to make a highly adaptive and effective pattern. We then started putting our findings to the test by creating a digital composite of our observations. We spent a lot of time talking with users, going over our approach with them, factoring in their observations and concerns about everything from getting rid of black to launderability. We then when back to the computer and created a digital image with over 100 layers, trying to match our basic idea for how we thought it could work. Once we had something we liked, we started prototyping it and testing it. We tested it for over a year and a half with the US Army and found it to be more effective than we had originally thought possible. After two consecutive tests by the US Army, where it came in top out of all candidates, we tuned it for production and have what is now called MultiCam™.