Definition of a Law Enforcement Go Bag
The concept of a "go bag" is a reference to the simplified idea that at a moment’s notice, a person can simply grab a bag and leave an area if a particular situation arises. While this could be an instance involving a weather-related emergency or environmental disaster, for law enforcement personnel, it is often in regard to deployment to an incident or facility that is facing a significant threat. This could involve a school under siege from an active shooter or a freighter that has been boarded by armed pirates. An officer’s or agent’s go bag may very well be the difference between life and death for him or her or others .
While the reasons for having a go bag remain the same, the contents of the bag change as necessary. A law enforcement go bag is different from an emergency kit or first aid kit, although many of the items in such kits may also be in the go bag. A law enforcement go bag may contain those same first-aid supplies, but it more than likely would have tactical gear (such as a gas mask), multi-purpose tools, additional ammunition, communication equipment, additional weapons, and anything specific to the particular threat or threat environment. A go bag may not even be appropriate if talking about a potential threat for which the authorities have already had time to prepare (such as an approaching hurricane).
Items that must be inside a Go Bag
An ideal law enforcement go bag should aim to include a set of essential items needed during typical emergencies. Every department and officer may have slightly different needs based on their jurisdiction, but some basic necessities are universal to every officer. A complete first aid kit is a necessity for any law enforcement go bag. If an officer is unable to drive or put the victim in their vehicle, that person will need basic first aid, such as sterile dressings, bandages, gauze rolls, antiseptic wipes, and disposable gloves. Personal protection equipment (PPE), such as goggles, hand sanitizers, mouthpieces, and face shields, are also important. If the officer has been in an incident that requires tactical response, additional items are needed such as tactical gloves and equipment, flashlights and batteries, and riot gear. Police officers need to have the correct protective body armor that fits them well as part of every go bag. In addition, officers in many jurisdictions encounter hazards to breathing air quality that require a gas mask to protect themselves from hazards. If the officer is familiar with the area, basic maps may be needed with a compass as a backup for navigation. The officer may need basic tactical equipment, such as a Duty belt or tactical vest that includes spare magazines and handcuffs, their duty pistol and additional shotgun ammunition. Any department-issued weapon for patrol duty should be included in the bag. The officer may also want to pack non-department weapons they may also be carrying while on duty. For example, if the officer is also a policy investigator, they may want a concealed carry weapon with the correct type of ammunition for their needs. Water purification equipment, a radio with spare batteries, and a portable battery generator may also be needed. Examples include a portable cellphone base station or satellite phone, GPS and a multipurpose solar-powered cell phone charger. Some officers may want to pack basic clothing items that will offer protection for the elements, such as a poncho or rain jacket, as well as extra socks. If their jurisdiction is especially cold, basic winter wear, hats, gloves and similar items may also be beneficial. The ideal law enforcement go bag includes these basic items along with supplemental items specific to the likely scenarios of the environment, patrol and job duties of the officer’s jurisdiction.
The most suitable bag for a Law Enforcement Go Bag
Essential Guide to Packing a Law Enforcement Go Bag
The choice of a bag for your first line of defense duties is also a key factor: size and style of bag. What do you have space for, what are you comfortable carrying, what are you likely to be carrying when the fecal matter impacts the spinning blades? Will you need one waterproof bag or several? If you will need several, how will they work together and interact? These factors and others should be looked at when selecting a bag for your Go Kit.
What size will you realistically need? This is different for each individual and each situation and is best decided on a case by case basis. If roughly half of your gear is semi-permanent and needs to be with you all the time, then a backpack would be one option. If you use a rolling bag or duffel or messenger bag, those are also options that may meet your needs. It all depends on what the individual will be doing with the bag.
While not the most durable option out there, backpacks or messenger bags can fit into lockers and be carried on mass transit. Some gear, depending on how much you have or how big it is, can be housed in those sorts of bags. Messenger bags can easily be worn by both male and female officers, and can also hide bags of gear pretty well if you do not want the public to be aware of such.
What you should look for in a bag: ease of access, ease of use, ability to use while engaged with equipment, ability to secure the contents while it is being moved, ability to wear comfortably for an extended period of time… and price.
Updating and caring for your Law Enforcement Go Bag
Maintaining and updating the contents of a go bag regularly is essential to its readiness. Keep track of items with expiration dates, like food, and replace them as needed. Set a schedule to check the contents of the bag, such as once every six months or after any event where it was taken out of storage. After an emergency situation, inspect the bag and replace any used items or add additional items that you may have felt were necessary and not included in the original packing. It’s important to make sure the contents are up to date and fit for your needs at the time that they may be required . For example, if a child of yours is now an adult, remove things included in the past that may have been made especially for their younger age, and add in items that may be more useful for their adult self. Does your job require you to travel often or work late hours? Consider including a blackout baton and an Id scanner so that you can quickly identify your own location and confirm your meaning when you encounter law enforcement. Getting into the habit of checking the contents and expiration dates of a go bag periodically will make sure that it is always ready to go if you ever should need it.
How to successfully pack and organize your Law Enforcement Go Bag
When it comes to packing a go bag for law enforcement use, efficiency and organization are crucial. Officers must be able to locate supplies swiftly, without having to dig through an unorganized assortment of items. Therefore, categorizing supplies—such as keeping firearms and ammunition in clearly labeled pouches and separating out personal protective equipment—is essential. This not only speeds up the process of getting gear, but also reduces the risk of forgetting or misplacing crucial items during the heat of the moment.
Moreover, each compartment in a law enforcement go bag should be labeled and organized to provide immediate access to whatever officer’s may require. For instance, auxiliary tactical gear like cuffs and extra ammo should be packed with easy access in mind.
It’s also important to remember that a go bag for law enforcement use is essentially an evolving thing; when you pack it, you should be able to pack likewise for a week or more. You cannot afford to constantly update your go bag for law enforcement use, so you want to make sure that everything inside will last long enough to get you through the emergency at hand without running out of essential items.
Examples of how a Go Bag can be essential
Natural Disasters: Natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods, and wildfires pose significant threats to public safety. In the event of an evacuation order, having a go bag packed and ready to go enables law enforcement personnel to respond quickly and decisively. Go bags can save time and minimize panic for officers and their families as they move to safer locations or shift focus to managing post-disaster security risks.
Active Shooter Situations: Despite extensive training and preparation, active shooter situations can arise with little or no warning. Real-life scenarios around the United States have proven that officers and entire police departments have benefited from go bags on the scene of these incidents. Go bags can retain important gear needed for appropriately responding to such an incident, including trauma kits, extra flashlights , spare batteries, gloves, and ear protection.
Special Operations & Extended Field Duty: From SWAT raids to extended undercover operations, go bags are essential for long-lasting operations. Officers can keep go bags in patrol vehicles or command posts that contain:
These vital items help keep personnel safe and ensure that they are able to meet their operational duties in the field.
Guarding Officers Against Illness: Viral outbreaks and concerns over communicable illnesses are part of the everyday work of most law enforcement agencies. Protecting officers and their families during viral outbreaks is always top of mind for public safety administrators. Law enforcement personnel can and should have the option of taking home personal go bags whenever they believe that they might need these tools to protect their families against illness.