Detectives

[TheBronze]

I'm a police officer here in the Los Angeles area and recently received an assignment to detectives. I've never had a job that required me to wear a suit and tie on a daily basis so this is all very new to me. I'm a very traditional guy and want to look it while on the job. The only suits I have right now are a gray pin strip and a blue flannel.

What kind of suit(s) would be good for working in and carrying my gun under the jacket? Are pleated trousers still okay these days?

What kind of shoes are comfortable, classic, and can take a beating?

Thanks, I love this forum!

 

[bil_maxx]

Go with lighter wool blends that breathe. Hopefully you won't be chasing anyone down, but if you do, you want something that will breathe. Pleats on the pants will help with that, as flat fronted are tighter and sweatier even if they are more in style at the moment. I know it sounds strange, but you want the suit to be a kind of workwear and a suit too. By the way, don't spend a lot on the suits as they will potentially take a beating.

Go with single breasted as they hang more cleanly with the buttons open and there is less material than DB so you can get to your tools easier. Also, with the inner pockets full of your badge, notebook, knife, phone, etc, the jacket will hang well if SB.

You will probably have a hard time with your gun-belt and need to use keepers to attach it to your regular belt. The belt loops are unlikely to be big enough.

Wear a cotton blend shirt, also for sweat purposes. You don't want your radio shorting if your earpiece and mic wires get wet from sweat.

Shoes wise, wear comfortable rubber soled shoes you can be in for hours at a time. Leather is the best.

I have found these types of clothes work the best and are most comfortable while on duty.

 

[CopperNY]

if you can wear the wrinkles with pride, also consider linen (or blend).

they recenetly said no more shoulder holsters for my division, but before that it was a much more versatile option. now some of our guys have had to have the belt loops on their favorite suits altered for the gun belt (typically wide leather with stiffener).

i've worn Doc Marten's shoes on duty.

depending on your build, don't hesitate to have the jacket tailored -around- the gun and/or "Bat Belt".

congratulations on the gold shield.

 

[JLStorm]

I cant help much with the suit, but if you are allowed to use a standard holster and not a level II or III (Im not sure of your agency's requirement) get a good holster and it wont print under any single breasted coat. Id order a belt from thebeltman.net or something similar. Its a great gunbelt that will blend with a suit well.

I also have known a few people who have had some light lead type weights sewn into their suit coats to keep them from blowing around in the wind or hanging up between their belt and weapon slowing draw time, but that is a bit overkill.

Just keep in mind, the lighter the suit coat, the more the winds and breeze will effect you, which could cause your coat to get in the way if you need to draw in a hurry, or just simply get caught up on the holster or butt and flash your weapon, thus giving away that whole plain clothes advantage.

Its got to be tough wearing a suit in that weather during summer out there! Good luck, be safe.

 

[James71]

Pfft.... A can understand a Chicago Detective or a New York Detective in a suit. But an LA detective? You need to get yourself some of this gear!

 

[TheBronze]

Doc Martin

if you can wear the wrinkles with pride, also consider linen (or blend).

they recenetly said no more shoulder holsters for my division, but before that it was a much more versatile option. now some of our guys have had to have the belt loops on their favorite suits altered for the gun belt (typically wide leather with stiffener).

i've worn Doc Marten's shoes on duty.

depending on your build, don't hesitate to have the jacket tailored -around- the gun and/or "Bat Belt".

congratulations on the gold shield.

Thanks for the congrats. After 20 years on the job I'm transferring basically because its about the only thing left that I haven't done! I've avoided it for years because I really don't like having to figure out what to wear everyday.

Doc Martin? Really? I'm gonna have to look into that. I wasn't aware they made dress shoes at all. I'm learning a lot on this forum!

 

[TheBronze]

Tex Shoemaker

I cant help much with the suit, but if you are allowed to use a standard holster and not a level II or III (Im not sure of your agency's requirement) get a good holster and it wont print under any single breasted coat. Id order a belt from thebeltman.net or something similar. Its a great gunbelt that will blend with a suit well.

I also have known a few people who have had some light lead type weights sewn into their suit coats to keep them from blowing around in the wind or hanging up between their belt and weapon slowing draw time, but that is a bit overkill.

Just keep in mind, the lighter the suit coat, the more the winds and breeze will effect you, which could cause your coat to get in the way if you need to draw in a hurry, or just simply get caught up on the holster or butt and flash your weapon, thus giving away that whole plain clothes advantage.

Its got to be tough wearing a suit in that weather during summer out there! Good luck, be safe.

Lead weights in the jacket? Wow, wonder how that holds up in cleaning? I'm pretty sure I'm going to just use my Tex Shoemaker pancake holster for everyday use. I'd love to carry my lighter weight baby Glock on duty but we are required to carry a Sig Sauer P226R .40 cal. Friggin heavy hunk of a gun I'll tell you! I will look in the belt though. My regular pants belts don't seem to be stiff enough. As for the weather...well you sorta get used to it.

 

[JLStorm]

Lead weights in the jacket? Wow, wonder how that holds up in cleaning? I'm pretty sure I'm going to just use my Tex Shoemaker pancake holster for everyday use. I'd love to carry my lighter weight baby Glock on duty but we are required to carry a Sig Sauer P226R .40 cal. Friggin heavy hunk of a gun I'll tell you! I will look in the belt though. My regular pants belts don't seem to be stiff enough. As for the weather...well you sorta get used to it.

Good question on the cleaning...maybe they have little pockets sewn in? Or maybe they dont clean them lol.

Man a p226 is heavy. Definitely check out the belt man. Hits belts are amazing and very reasonably priced.

 

[Lone_Ranger]

I wouldn't alter the belt loops for a wider belt. The wider belt screams gun belt. I would get a belt designed to carry a gun. There are several manufacturers that make a 1.25" dress belt, that is either a little thicker than a normal belt, or has an internal stiffener. (The Belt Man is one of them) That way it holds the weight, without looking like a gun belt.

As for sewing lead weights into your suit. You don't really need to go to that extreme. Just get in the habit of carrying car keys, or something in your suit pocket. Something with enough weight, to be able to bat the coat out of the way when you draw. G Gordon Liddy mentions this in his biography, "Will"; When he was at the FBI Academy, one of the instructors told him to carry two shotgun shells in his pocket. The instructor said that the matador at a bullfight will wet the end of the cape, and weight it with sand, to be able to fling it around properly.

Liddy did mention altering his belt loops, to hold the pancake holster in the same place all the time, and not have it sliding back and forth.

If you're allowed, you can get a custom pancake holster with 1.25 belt loops. Most of the "off the rack" holsters have 1.50 or 1.75 inch slots which have some play when you wear a dress belt.


As for shoes. Rockport and Ecco, both make dress style shoes, that have soles designed for walking, and give more traction than dress shoes with leather soles.

 

[Blackjack]

if your going to wear a suit on the job, why not be the best dressed cop in the division right? Watch LA Confidential, and keep tabs on Kevin Spacey.

 

[Torpedo]

Hello,

I am a specialist officer in Crime Scene Investigation unit. The above posters have covered it pretty well already!

I would suggest never wear something you will really regret losing, be it because of price or rarity. Duty can be hazardous or messy, or both, so potentially it is a risky environment for clothing. I know, clothing can be ruined accidentally in any other, off duty moment, too, but if you did choose to wear it to work and then something happens, somehow you will take it worse.

Do not use anything you have to be conscientious of while on duty. You must be able to do the same than your colleagues in casual clothes, without having to unduly worry about soiling ot ripping it if need be. By the same reason, it has to be comfortable enough, and allow you to perform physical work (running, climbing, hand to hand combat, whatever) if necessary.

Regarding weapon rigs, a single breasted jacket it usually a better option, but a DB can be worn with a shoulder holster if not too fitted. But if you have to carry handcuffs, spare magazines, etc, then a DB will probably not do, because it has to be worn tied, so it will probably be too tight, you will be uncomfortable, and what you carry under it will print.

Consider a 3-piece, or a suit with an odd vest, when temperature allows. The additional pockets are handy.

Of course much of the above depends on your actual assignment and requirements, too.

Regards!

 

[Carnage]

If you can wear your firearm, in your chosen holster, when you are fitted for your suit that would be best.

Also it is possible to have patches of material sewn into the liner of your jacket to prevent the butt of your pistol rubbing a hole through, it also makes the area around the weapon stiffer and helps to prevent printing.

Also there are plenty of tailors who can alter a tie for you, or you can do it yourself, by cutting the back and adding in velcro to prevent strangulation.

In relation to belts, there are lots out there that will distort over time, the best one I have has a piece of stiff plastic sewn between the leather to prevent this. And as far as shoes go, simple lace ups are the way forward, I always wear Oxfords when on the job and they have served me well over the years.

 

[CopperNY]

Thanks for the congrats. After 20 years on the job I'm transferring basically because its about the only thing left that I haven't done! I've avoided it for years because I really don't like having to figure out what to wear everyday.

Doc Martin? Really? I'm gonna have to look into that. I wasn't aware they made dress shoes at all. I'm learning a lot on this forum!

yep. there's a great shot (which i could not find, grrr...) of a '60's London, UK officer chasing a skinhead. the officer is wearing DM oxfords and the skin has the boots.

on weighting the jacket: the older guys in my office remember being issued revolvers and would toss an extra speedloader in the jacket pocket on that side. made the jacket stay down and helped w/ sweeping the jacket to clear the weapon for the draw. i've used a coin purse or swiss army knife for the same purpose.

we don't have a jacket/tie requirement, so in high summer i like the guayabera (with or without the embroidery ) shirts over a tucked in tshirt to cover the gear:

 

[TheBronze]

Hello,

Do not use anything you have to be conscientious of while on duty. You must be able to do the same than your colleagues in casual clothes, without having to unduly worry about soiling ot ripping it if need be. By the same reason, it has to be comfortable enough, and allow you to perform physical work (running, climbing, hand to hand combat, whatever) if necessary.

Regards!

Hand to hand combat? Wait a minute...don't detectives have people for that?

 

[TheBronze]

Ties and stuff

Also it is possible to have patches of material sewn into the liner of your jacket to prevent the butt of your pistol rubbing a hole through, it also makes the area around the weapon stiffer and helps to prevent printing.

Also there are plenty of tailors who can alter a tie for you, or you can do it yourself, by cutting the back and adding in velcro to prevent strangulation.

Hmm...never thought about the lining. I'll have to ask my tailor guy about that. The Sig has a grip that will go right through a wool shirt if you're the least bit chubby. As for the tie, the chances are the only one that's gonna want to strangle me is my sergeant. The others, well if they have my tie that just means their "in range"!

 

[TheBronze]

Doc Marten's

http://www.dmusastore.com/p-2307-ian.aspx

Doc Marten's...I'll be darned. I'd never have thought it but those aren't bad looking! I may survive this assignment after all!

 

[Story]

I'm a police officer here in the Los Angeles area and recently received an assignment to detectives. I've never had a job that required me to wear a suit and tie on a daily basis so this is all very new to me. I'm a very traditional guy and want to look it while on the job. The only suits I have right now are a gray pin strip and a blue flannel.

What kind of suit(s) would be good for working in and carrying my gun under the jacket? Are pleated trousers still okay these days?

What kind of shoes are comfortable, classic, and can take a beating?

Thanks, I love this forum!

1.
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=49105

2.
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=32914

3.
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=35227

4.
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=10865

NYPD homicide detective looking for fingerprints at a crime scene.
Location: New York, NY, US
Date taken: 1937
Photographer: Carl Mydans
Size: 1280 x 880 pixels (17.8 x 12.2 inches)

PS : The Toecutter wants his pride back.

 

[TheBronze]

The Hat Squad

That picture reminds me of something. When I was a young Deputy Sheriff with LA County I had the opportunity to work as a bailiff for Judge Harold N. Crowder in Division 83. He was with LAPD in the 50's and 60's and was one of the members of what came to be called "The Hat Squad".

That guy told some incredible stories! He used to carry his piece on him when he was on the bench! Unfortunately, he passed away last year.

They just don't make 'em like that anymore.

http://www.insidesocal.com/crime&courts/2009/03/lapd-robbery-divisionclarence.html

 

[Mr. 'H']

That picture reminds me of something. When I was a young Deputy Sheriff with LA County I had the opportunity to work as a bailiff for Judge Harold N. Crowder in Division 83. He was with LAPD in the 50's and 60's and was one of the members of what came to be called "The Hat Squad".

That guy told some incredible stories! He used to carry his piece on him when he was on the bench! Unfortunately, he passed away last year.

They just don't make 'em like that anymore.

http://www.insidesocal.com/crime&courts/2009/03/lapd-robbery-divisionclarence.html

:eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap


Wow that is a great story - I love "Mulholland Falls."

 

[bil_maxx]

You should never carry much of value while you're working. Never carry your entire wallet. Just a few cards and some cash. Also don't have expensive sunglasses. Light ones with plastic frames are best as they are less likely to fall off your head than say metal Ray Bans.

If your department allows it, try to use a smaller holster that is higher up on your belt. It will print much less and they tend to fit on smaller belts. I carried a Sig like that for years and it was very comfortable. The only time you will probably need a shoulder holster is with an overcoat. Drawing is much easier when you're wearing a long coat.

One last thing, don't wear a hat, hahaha. You want to be non-descript.