Transcript The Professional Comfort System

The Professional Comfort System
The Duty Belt for Today’s
Law Enforcement Officers
Presented by Mike Lowe, President
Tactical Design Labs, Inc.
A Brief History, Sam Browne
• The Sam Browne Belt
– Invented by the one-armed British Army General Sam
Browne in the 1850’s, it originally incorporated a single
diagonal strap that extended across
the chest to support the weight of
the sword.
– “Tradition” has maintained this as a
part of the formal-dress
uniform for a few departments
still today.
The Sam Browne Today
•Known accounts of strap catching on vehicles
and being grabbed by assailants have all but
eliminated this from most police uniforms.
The New Jersey
State Police
The Rhode Island
State Police
The Royal Canadian
Mounted Police
The Police Duty Belt
• The Police Duty Belt
– Typically a 2 1/4 inch belt made of synthetic or leather utilizing
various belt buckles, with the traditional Sam Browne strap and
buckle being phased out.
– This traditional platform was
never intended to bear the weight
of modern gear and weaponry.
(15-20 lbs.)
– It’s only been Law Enforcement’s
tenacity and toughness that has kept
us from actually resolving these health
related issues associated with the duty belt.
Duty Belts Issues
• In earlier years, duty belts were actually
worn around the hips for comfort.
• Uniformity and security issues have
caused the duty belt to be worn around
the waist as opposed to the hips. (Keepers)
• Carpenter tool belts use a similar
system for comfort and weight
displacement.
• The Backpacking Industry understands
the importance of a platform to
distribute weight to the hips.
Health Related Issues
• Health issues have been well documented over the years with
injuries and discomfort relating to the current platform.
– In 1997, the Dept. of CHP conducted a study with UC Berkeley on duty
belt discomfort and determined the problems to include the weight and
rigidity of the gear, as well as gear location.
– A 2004 study conducted by the Police Association of New South Wales
owed their pain to a limited adjustment capacity, where the belt was worn
either too tightly, or too loosely. They, too, noted gear weight as a key
proponent in duty belt pain.
– Other research and common
knowledge relates pain and
discomfort to the weight of the belt.
Health Cont.
Health Related Issues
• Not to be confused with fitness
issues or duty related injuries.
• Too much weight being worn
around the waist on a non-weightbearing platform.
• Issues caused by lower edge of belt
pressing into body bones and
nerves.
• Compression of the lateral femoral
nerves causes leg numbness and
pain, potentially creating
permanent damage. (Meralgia Paresthetica)
• Hours of sitting on accessories.
Who Will Accept Responsibility
for this Obvious Problem?
No Real Solution
• Suspenders
– Only transfer weight and problem to shoulders and neck,
Narrow straps not designed for weight bearing capabilities.
– Timely to put on.
– Difficult to Adjust: Too Tight or
Falling Off.
– Safety concerns at being dragged
or grabbed.
– Take away from appearance or
perceived as too militaristic.
– Gear bounces when running.
The Solution
• The Professional Comfort System
– Designed to support, displace, and dispense weight.
– Alleviate and mitigate compression of lateral
femoral nerves.
– Provides a padded, protective barrier between
accessories and body from sitting or falling.
– Holds accessories in place for
common and consistent indexing.
(Officer Molly Bowden)
– Provides additional lumbar support.
Other Features
• Cop-Lock Belt Buckle: Heavy-weight, three
way release belt buckle (now the industry
standard).
• One-time assembly, gear will remain
unwaveringly in place, utilizing at least two
keepers.
• All components sold separately or as a system.
• Standard width belt to accommodate all of your
current gear as well as TDL Holsters.
Departments Using the PCS
• The Professional Comfort System is currently being
used in hundreds of departments nationwide, including
the following:
• Clark County Sheriff’s Office
• Pennsylvania Constable’s Office
– Vancouver, Washington
– Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Polk County Sheriff’s Office
• Del Ray Beach Police Dept.
– Des Moines, Iowa
• Ada County Sheriff’s Office
– Boise, Idaho
– DelRay Beach, Florida
• Gulfport Police Department
– Gulfport, Mississippi
• Fort Collins Police Department • Benton County Sheriff’s Office
– Fort Collins, Colorado
– Kennewick, Washington
Testimonials
• ““Once I found the Professional Comfort
System, I was immediately amazed. Upon
putting it on, it felt like I was wearing a pillow
around my waist. ALL of the gear weight was
evenly distributed around the belt and because
of the lower back support, I noticed none of the
gear was "pinching" my sides. I will never go
back to any other belt system. Thanks a
million!”
Testimonials
• “My chiropractor LOVED the belt and will be
thankful for the information on the belts as he
wants to pass the idea to his other law
enforcement clients. I’m passing it on to my
lawyer as well, since he works for most every
cop in the country who gets hurt. I believe it
could help a lot of them get back to work.”
Testimonials
• “The biggest surprise for me was what happens
when you try to run, which in my case isn't very
fast, but I try. In the suspenders your
equipment gets to bouncing and gets out of
rhythm with the rest of you and slows you down
even more. The belt stays in place and makes it
much easier. I can't say enough good things
about this belt. I sure don't want to give it back.”
For More Information
Contact Our Friendly Sales Staff
Call: 877-783-5227
Click: tdlabs.com
Email: [email protected]