Gift idea for new NY State Trooper (policeman)

[Parkinglotracer]

A friend of the family just graduated from the police Academy and is a new NY State Trooper. Any law enforcement folks out there that can.recommend a gift for a new Trooper? Thanks

[PoppyA]

Shoe polish

Just kidding. Maybe a nice leather portfolio.

[Parkinglotracer]

Shoe polish

Just kidding. Maybe a nice leather portfolio.

Thank you!

[SquawkIdent]

Maybe go the gift card route? Amazon, local restaurant (would be nice after a long and difficult shift), etc.

[CaptainT]

Gift card for local coffee and bagel or donuts place.

Seriously however
Sweat wicking shirts that are black or navy depending on unit for under the bullet proof vests

[Mr. Rumples]

I second the leather portfolio; it can be used when going to training for documents, for court for documents and for meetings. I still am using mine I bought in 1977 to keep all my papers together for moving. It has handles which retract.

[Scubadude]

1. Nice pen set
2. Spyderco Knife (pocket)
3. PhotonLight Micro-Light II (world’s brightest keychain light)
4. Nice insulated coffee mug
5. Street Survival II Tactics for Deadly Force Encounters - Book. Classic
6. Classic Police DVD Collection: The New Centurions, Colors, complete set of Hill Street Blues, Reno 911 and Barney Miller.

Without more details on uniform and duty issue, it’s a start.

[oldcomputerguy]

This topic is now in the Personal Consumer Issues forum (consumer goods).

[bombcar]

Something real nice in real leather - I like https://saddlebackleather.com and I'm sure a small bag or something could be quite useful.

(I got a friend this bag https://saddlebackleather.com/leather-tote-u and he used it as a diaper bag for awhile and now it's a range bag)

Always check the deals: https://saddlebackleather.com/daves-deals

[Parkinglotracer]

Gift card for local coffee and bagel or donuts place.

Seriously however
Sweat wicking shirts that are black or navy depending on unit for under the bullet proof vests

Excellent idea

[Parkinglotracer]

Something real nice in real leather - I like https://saddlebackleather.com and I'm sure a small bag or something could be quite useful.

(I got a friend this bag https://saddlebackleather.com/leather-tote-u and he used it as a diaper bag for awhile and now it's a range bag)

Always check the deals: https://saddlebackleather.com/daves-deals

Beautiful leather gifts /. Thank you

[Parkinglotracer]

1. Nice pen set
2. Spyderco Knife (pocket)
3. PhotonLight Micro-Light II (world’s brightest keychain light)
4. Nice insulated coffee mug
5. Street Survival II Tactics for Deadly Force Encounters - Book. Classic
6. Classic Police DVD Collection: The New Centurions, Colors, complete set of Hill Street Blues, Reno 911 and Barney Miller.

Without more details on uniform and duty issue, it’s a start.

Great ideas

Sounds like have have some experience there !

[Parkinglotracer]

Maybe go the gift card route? Amazon, local restaurant (would be nice after a long and difficult shift), etc.

Perfect !

[Parkinglotracer]

I second the leather portfolio; it can be used when going to training for documents, for court for documents and for meetings. I still am using mine I bought in 1977 to keep all my papers together for moving. It has handles which retract.

That is a great gift.

[Parkinglotracer]

Gift card for local coffee and bagel or donuts place.

Seriously however
Sweat wicking shirts that are black or navy depending on unit for under the bullet proof vests

I heard the vest can be hot / thanks !

[TomatoTomahto]

Gift card for local coffee and bagel or donuts place.

Seriously however
Sweat wicking shirts that are black or navy depending on unit for under the bullet proof vests

I heard the vest can be hot / thanks !

Similar vein, although I don’t know if it’s fancy enough, but I imagine a few pairs of wool socks would be appreciated during winter upstate NY traffic stops. Fwiw. I think they’re good in the summer also.

[Jeepergeo]

Something real nice in real leather - I like https://saddlebackleather.com and I'm sure a small bag or something could be quite useful.

(I got a friend this bag https://saddlebackleather.com/leather-tote-u and he used it as a diaper bag for awhile and now it's a range bag)

Always check the deals: https://saddlebackleather.com/daves-deals

A leather bound pocket Constitutiom is available from Saddleback Leather. They are very nice.

A knife from the Buck Knives custom shop would be a great gift too. A custom Buck 110 is hard to beat.

https://www.buckknives.com/custom-knife ... sku=CKS110

[wtjbatman]

When I graduated the police academy, my father in law gifted me a high quality ($300+) pocket knife. Five years later, I still carry it, and use it all of the time for a variety of needs from mundane to "listen to this story" type experiences.

[Mr. Rumples]

When I graduated the police academy, my father in law gifted me a high quality ($300+) pocket knife. Five years later, I still carry it, and use it all of the time for a variety of needs from mundane to "listen to this story" type experiences.

That's a good gift. About 20 years ago, I did a project for the Virginia National Guard; there was no pay but they gave me a great pocket knife that I still have.

[wtjbatman]

When I graduated the police academy, my father in law gifted me a high quality ($300+) pocket knife. Five years later, I still carry it, and use it all of the time for a variety of needs from mundane to "listen to this story" type experiences.

That's a good gift. About 20 years ago, I did a project for the Virginia National Guard; there was no pay but they gave me a great pocket knife that I still have.

I agree. At the time I was very appreciative of the gift, and I didn't even realize yet how useful it would be. That I would carry it as part of my uniform/duty gear for years.

I'm not the type that believes all things that are more expensive are higher quality, but in the case of this knife, I've never met another law enforcement officer carrying a higher quality knife. The exterior has some wear (expected after five years of riding on my hip), but the knife edge is still super sharp, and everything feels tight and just as functional as the day I opened the box.

[Parkinglotracer]

Something real nice in real leather - I like https://saddlebackleather.com and I'm sure a small bag or something could be quite useful.

(I got a friend this bag https://saddlebackleather.com/leather-tote-u and he used it as a diaper bag for awhile and now it's a range bag)

Always check the deals: https://saddlebackleather.com/daves-deals

A leather bound pocket Constitutiom is available from Saddleback Leather. They are very nice.

A knife from the Buck Knives custom shop would be a great gift too. A custom Buck 110 is hard to beat.

https://www.buckknives.com/custom-knife ... sku=CKS110

Beautiful.

[Parkinglotracer]

I ended up buying a black leather portfolio and small black briefcase sized carrying case. I know he had bought himself a pocket knife and a flashlight and few accessories at the uniform supply store. Great ideas here. I saw a few leather bags and pocket knives I may buy for myself or gifts for my kids.

[bombcar]

I'm not the type that believes all things that are more expensive are higher quality, but in the case of this knife, I've never met another law enforcement officer carrying a higher quality knife. The exterior has some wear (expected after five years of riding on my hip), but the knife edge is still super sharp, and everything feels tight and just as functional as the day I opened the box.

What knife was it? I'm always on the lookout for "buy it once" type things.

[JakeyLee]

30 years in Law Enforcement here (retired)… I can’t remember an officer on my staff that did not eventually get a small soft insulated lunch carrier (food bag/box?). They are a godsend. AND while on field training those first six months, there’s not a whole lot of time hang out in restaurants.

[wtjbatman]

I'm not the type that believes all things that are more expensive are higher quality, but in the case of this knife, I've never met another law enforcement officer carrying a higher quality knife. The exterior has some wear (expected after five years of riding on my hip), but the knife edge is still super sharp, and everything feels tight and just as functional as the day I opened the box.

What knife was it? I'm always on the lookout for "buy it once" type things.

It's a Benchmade. Looking at their website, I believe mine is the "AFO II Black Aluminum" model. Quality construction, sharp blade, partial serrated edge, auto open button with lock. Unless I lose it I don't ever see retiring this knife. Rather, it will be retired along with me.

[wtjbatman]

30 years in Law Enforcement here (retired)… I can’t remember an officer on my staff that did not eventually get a small soft insulated lunch carrier (food bag/box?). They are a godsend. AND while on field training those first six months, there’s not a whole lot of time hang out in restaurants.

Insulated lunch box and stainless steel double walled water bottle are both wonderful things to have when working a 12+ hour shift, operating out of a vehicle. Many of the deputies where I work go out to eat, or for those who live in the county (majority of them), they stop at home. I'm one of the few who lives outside the county (still get a take home squad, thankfully) and brings my own lunch every day.

A trooper will have more in common with a deputy like myself than most city cops. Take home squad that is their mobile office, needing to work out of their car more and less out of a headquarters, etc.

[y2kcamaross]

I recently had a similar situation when I was looking for a gift for my dad, who’s also in law enforcement. One idea that worked really well was a personalized lighter. I found it under Groomsmen gifts and it felt special since it was customized just for him. He really appreciated it and uses it often, which makes it a practical and thoughtful gift.

[dukeblue219]

I like the idea of a dinner at a nice restaurant. Everyone has so much junk already, and I think many of the suggestions while perfectly practical, are not really "special."