Being a police officer is definitely one of the toughest jobs around. It’s also one of the most dangerous, as you literally have to run around chasing criminals and fugitives with a gun or taser. These are some of the reasons you have to be well-prepared before a shift.
Below, we will give you a few things that you should never forget to do before starting your shift as a police officer. From making sure your police siren is on to checking the backseat, we’ve got it all covered for you.
Turn Your Police Siren On
Turning on your police siren right away is important, as this will let other people know that you are in a hurry. This is especially important if you are pursuing a criminal or a target, as this would let pedestrians and other drivers know that they would need to clear the road for you to be able to succeed with the pursue.
It is also a must to get a high-quality police siren — one that would be loud and bright enough to catch people’s attention. You would want to make sure that you will be able to use it for a long time, too, as changing it ever so often would be such a hassle.
Check the Squad
Ask your squad about their shift and make sure that no one forgot to report any dings or dents on the car. You should also ask them about what happened during their shift and if they need to turn over a few things to you.
Some reports are just too important, and you should never make your people wait for results, as they are putting their trust in you and what you can do to help them.
Take a Peek at the Backseat
Check the backseat for basically anything and everything. Previous passengers and other police officers who might have used the police car might have left something in there, and it is a must to clear the vehicle out before using it again for your shift.
You should also always check the backseat thoroughly after you bring a detainee or a suspect to the police station. You might find contraband or any type of evidence in there and if you find it right away, you would know that it is undoubtedly theirs and you can use this for their case.
Check Your Gun
You do not have to fire it right before your shift — all you have to do is to make sure that the release works on it and that the fuse is not blown. You would not want to be surprised by your gun not working during a high-risk call, as this can lead to different types of disasters.
You should also always check if your gun is loaded before your shift so you would not have to reach for your bag whenever you think you’d need it.
Being a police officer means that you should always be alert and aware of everything that is happening around you. It’s always better to be a hundred per cent safe than sorry, especially during the times when you’d need to arrest someone for violating the rules.
