Discount
police equipment can be found at many auctions. As new technologies
are being implemented into police forces, the older equipment is phased
out, and then sold to the public, or security companies to help recuperate
costs and pay for the new supplies. Many older police cars are auctioned
off, many to taxi cab companies because of their longer life and more
durable engine and frame. Radios, lights and interior racks and connections
are often available at police auctions.
Many Web sites and retailers offer discount police equipment for current
and past officers. The newest police equipment is often not available
to the public, but only offered to police and military departments.
The reasons are usually for safety, larger weapons and defensive devices
can provide a huge security threat in the wrong hands. Staying one step
ahead of criminals and their anti-policing technology is another reason
the most hi-tech equipment is only available to agencies.
Because of the difficulty in locating discount police equipment, the
Internet is often the best place to locate good deals. Many police gear
is not carried in stores, or is made in such limited production runs
that it almost impossible to find, let alone find a deal on. The Internet
allows many companies and products to be researched at once, making
it one of the most effective tools for finding the desired product at
a good price. Private individuals and former police officers often sell
their old gear at a heavily discounted rate to new officers.