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<p>Police departments with a tactical squad know that when it’s time to go,
    it’s time to go. The stuff you need to bring with needs to be in the right
    location and easy to grab – with no searching or retrieving involved. At
    the same time, SWAT gear is among the most expensive at a police department,
    so you want to make sure it’s protected from damage, loss, or even theft.</p>

<h4>So how do you balance accessibility with security? There are a few options.</h4>

	<h3>Doorless Freestyle Lockers</h3>

<p>Another option is to use classic wardrobe lockers like our <a href="/products/locker-storage/freestyle-personal-storage-locker/">Freestyle Lockers</a> –
    but without doors. This method gives you all the same features and convenience
    of lockers you’re familiar with, but without the extra time needed to unlock
    when it’s time to roll. Ideally, this solution would also be used with
    a locked room for security.</p>
    
    	<h3>“Locker” Cubbies</h3>

<p>One option is to use <a href="/products/commercial-metal-shelving/4-post-static-shelving/">4-post shelving</a> to
    create locker-style cubbies in a locked room, like we did at Skokie, IL
    Police Department. The open shelving means it’s quick and easy to grab
    items when it’s time to go, and also means you can do a quick visual inventory.
    It also keeps items organized by individual so all gear is in one spot
    and each item has its place – a hanger bar for clothing, a top cubby for
    headgear, a lower shelf for boots, etc. The key consideration is whether
    or not you have a locked room in which to place this style of storage,
    as the only way to secure gear is to secure the room.</p>
<p>Cubbies are also a great option for items like shields and helmets, like
    these ones at Carbondale PD.</p>
    
    	<h3>Traditional Gear Lockers or Hallway Lockers</h3>

<p>If you don’t have a way to lock the room or don’t have a room for your
    tactical gear at all, traditional lockers or a bank of smaller hallway
    lockers are another way to store your gear. These keep gear organized and
    secure, and by keeping gear bags in a hallway like we did at <a href="https://www.spacesaver.com/portfolio-posts/police-tactical-gear-storage-and-more-creates-efficiency-at-skokie-police-department/">Skokie PD</a>,
    they’re more quickly accessible when needed.</p>

Public Safety Storage Checklist: Tactical Storage for SWAT

Connect with the Experts

<p>A police department with a large inventory of weapons in their armory
    might have traditional weapons racks for their weapons storage. A smaller
    police department with just a few extra firearms on hand might have a locked
    closet where firearms and ammo are stored along a wall or shelf. But no
    matter how many weapons your agency has on hand at any given time, they
    still need to be secured and accounted for.</p>
<p>When a military-grade weapons rack is a little more than your you need
    for your armory and a storage closet just isn’t cutting it in terms of
    security and protection for the stored firearms, there’s a third option
    – a FreeStyle Locker modified to include weapon storage accessories.</p>


<p>The Freestyle Locker is traditionally used as a wardrobe locker in a locker
    room. But by swapping out the standard back panel of the locker for a panel
    that can accommodate weapon storage, you can get all the functionality
    you need to store small inventories of multiple weapon types all in one
    space. Beyond that, you can also keep accompanying accessories, ammo, and
    training supplies like replica weapons all in one locker.</p>
    
    <p>As an alternative to the perforated back panel, a rail and stock cup configuration
    can also be used to store weapons in a FreeStyle Locker. Your local Spacesaver
    distributor can help you determine what configuration is right for your
    needs.</p>
<p>This solution is flexible enough to handle tasers, pistol pegs, shotguns,
    sniper rifles, AR-15s, MP-5s, ammo, targets, and training aids like replica
    weapons – all in one place. Freestyle is a great option for smaller departments,
    branch or district offices, or range locations where multiple types of
    long guns, pistols, tasers, and other gear require securing.</p>

Public Safety Storage Checklist: Freestyle for Firearms for Armory

How does it work?

<h3>The Situation</h3>
<p>Chances are your customers have some kind of locker system for officers
    to deposit packaged evidence to be processed and put into longer term storage
    elsewhere at your facility. But what do they do when your evidence technician
    notices a mistake in how an officer has labeled or packaged an item? Or
    what if an officer gets pulled away unexpectedly for an emergency and doesn’t
    have time to finish packaging and depositing evidence? Or a piece of evidence
    is being taken to court? These are some great questions to ask when helping
    a police department plan for evidence storage.</p>
<p>In many cases, police departments simply have padlocked lockers with separate
    keys or even just lockers marked with paper labels as “pass-back” lockers.
    Although these makeshift options work, it’s worth pointing out that they’re
    less than ideal for security, tracking the chain of custody, and ensuring
    nothing – including keys – gets lost in the process.</p>
    
    	<h3>The Solution In Action</h3>

<p>One great way around this tricky evidence pass-back situation is to use
    ControLoc® – a digital locking mechanism that allows officers to access
    lockers with personalized PIN codes or card scan. In a typical evidence
    storage system, an officer would enter their PIN, the available deposit
    lockers would light up green, and they’d deposit their evidence. But the
    system can be modified to accommodate pass-back evidence as well.</p>
<p>At Unified PD in Salt Lake City, we modified the ControLoc® software so
    evidence technicians could make temporary locker assignments to a specific
    officer. In this way, the evidence tech just has to place the item in a
    locker compartment, close it, and assign it to an officer in the software
    system. When that officer comes to pick up the pass-back item and enters
    their PIN code, they’re the only one who can access the compartment containing
    the item. Special crash lockers are identified with a magnet so that evidence
    can be dropped mid-processing for an officer to return to.</p>
    
    <p>Yes this system comes at a cost – but not only does it create a digital
    audit trail with time and date stamp of where items were and what officers
    could access them, but also allows evidence techs to see how many lockers
    are in use at any given time. That means they know when it’s time to go
    empty the lockers without having to guess or waste time.</p>
<p>This remote tracking can be especially useful for police departments with
    multiple offices or precincts that have a central evidence storage warehouse,
    because evidence pick-up from each precinct can be timed out based on remote
    tracking of how full the lockers are at any given time.</p>

Public Safety Storage Checklist: ControLoc for Temporary Evidence Storage

<p>Handcuffs are so standard at law enforcement agencies that they’re easily
    overlooked when it comes to storage. Although they’re typically issued
    to each officer, there are still spare handcuffs around that need to be
    stored and secured – after all, though they’re small, they’re often expensive
    and always needed.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h3>Handcuffs on Mobile Storage</h3>

<p>The easiest way to keep your clients’ spare handcuffs organized and in
    one spot is to keep them in a locked drawer, but if they’re already planning
    a high density system or are really looking to step up their security,
    you can incorporate the drawer units into a high density mobile storage
    system.</p>
<p>At Aurora PD, <a href="https://www.spacesaver.com/public-safety-storage-checklist-electroshock-weapon-storage/">tasers</a> and
    handcuffs are kept in a system like the one described above. The locked
    drawers are alongside inventory of other issued gear and the aisles of
    the storage system slide together to keep items secure and make the most
    of the space. Aisles can only be accessed with a PIN code, providing an
    extra layer of security for the gear inside.</p>

Public Safety Storage Checklist: How to Store Handcuffs for Police Departments & Jails

For Police Departments & Jails

<p>Let’s face it: storing bikes is a pain in the butt. They’re bulky, take up a lot of space, and whether they’re police bikes or property and evidence, there’s never been an efficient way to store them.</p>
<h3>Bikes on Mobile Storage</h3>
<p>Tinley Park Police Department in Tinley Park, Illinois originally kept bikes they accumulated outside, but the bikes would get damaged and destroyed being exposed to the elements. After incurring the expense of having to buy new ones for a few kids who came to collect their newly damaged bike, the police department decided that when they built a new police station, they would make room for the bikes to be stored indoors.</p>
<p>After moving into their new building and allocating an area for bike storage,
    the police department quickly realized there was an overflow of bikes.
    &nbsp;To help with this solution, Spacesaver® and the local Spacesaver
    distributor helped the police department design a bike storage solution
    that included a mobile storage with custom bike hooks, allowing the rows
    of stored bikes to slide together to save space. &nbsp;The bikes are stored
    in a locked room, part of the evidence area, with a color coded system
    that allows them to track how long the bike has been in their possession.
    &nbsp;This allowed them to keep the most recent bikes up to three months
    on this mobile shelving system and then move them to a different area of
    the facility for up to six months to be claimed.</p>
    
    <p>In addition to storing others’ bikes, this solution also houses ten of
    the police department’s bikes.</p>

    <p>Bike storage today at Tinley Park Police Department</p>
	<h3>Static Bike Storage</h3>

<p>If you’re not ready for a mobile storage system, there are a few ways
    to keep bikes organized and accessible. The same solution detailed above
    can be used on standard 4-post shelving, rather than a mobile system. Alternatively,
    some police departments prefer to use wall-mounted bike racks using a rod
    with S-hooks to hang bikes along a side-wall.</p>

Public Safety Storage Checklist: Bike Storage for Police Departments

Let’s face it: storing bikes is a pain in the butt. They’re bulky, take up a lot of space, and whether they’re police bikes or property and evidence, there’s never been an efficient way to store them.

<p>Police badges are often an overlooked item when it comes to planning storage
    at a police department – after all, how hard can it be to store something
    that only takes up a few inches of space? But in reality, badges are one
    of the easiest pieces of equipment to lose, and a misplaced one can not
    only pose a potential impersonation risk but can also cost a department
    up to $200 to replace. Plus, with multiple types of badges for promotions
    and replacements, there’s more to store than you might realize.</p>
<p>The best system for badge storage consists of 3 parts that can easily
    be integrated into your department’s overall gear storage solution.</p>
    
    	<h3 style="margin-bottom: 0;">The Solution in Action</h3>

	<h2 style="margin-top: 0;">Locked Room</h2>

<p>The first line of defense against avoid stolen and misplaced badges is
    a locked room. Chances are, your department already has a room for storing
    extra gear and uniforms that can be locked, but if not, it’s worth investing
    in for the peace of mind.</p>

<h3>Shelf with lockable drawer or bin</h3>

<p>Within the locked room, a 4-post shelf with a locking drawer keeps badges
    secured, in one location, and protected from being damaged by surrounding
    gear. Within the drawer, bins or dividers can be used to separate different
    types of badges. Alternatively, if you use a lockable mobile storage system
    (see mobile storage option), you can simply use plastic bin dividers on
    a shelf to organize different types of badges (but beware of using this
    method if you aren’t using a locked shelf).</p>
    
    <h3>Mobile Storage System (optional)</h3>

<p>Shelves and locking drawers can be mounted onto a high density mobile
    storage system, which provides a great way to store all different types
    of gear – uniforms, duty bags, electronics, etc. in a smaller space. The
    mobile system can then be locked and accessed using a PIN code to provide
    a final layer of security.</p>

Public Safety Storage Checklist: Badge Storage

A Public Safety Storage Checklist

<p>Most police and sheriff’s departments have a protocol regarding how personnel should store their Tasers or other electroshock weapons while off-duty (typically in a locker room), but many agencies have no specific guideline or solution for storing spare electrical control devices and extra cartridges.</p>
<h2>The Solution in Action</h2>
<p>There are 2 ways electroshock weapons&nbsp;and cartridges can be stored to keep them secure and damage-free.</p>
<h3>Plastic Bins on Mobile Shelving</h3>
<p>This solution, implemented at Aurora, CO PD, is an easy and secure way to integrate electroshock weapons storage into the overall gear storage solution without buying highly-specialized equipment. Colored bins on shelves keep cartridges and ECDs organized for easy access and visual inspection.</p>
<p>By placing the shelves onto a high-density mobile system, the shelves slide together and lock when not in use. Items are accessed using a PIN pad on the end panels for maximum security. Besides tasers, this system can also be used to store SWAT gear, uniforms, badges, and other spare equipment.</p>
<h3>Electroshock Weapon Brackets in a Weapons Rack or on Shelving</h3>
<p>Originally designed for the US Marine Corps, the Universal Weapons Rack offers taser and other electroshock weapon brackets that can be attached to the steel back panel of the cabinet. The brackets are vinyl-dipped to ensure the finish of the ECD is unharmed. Shelves and bins within the cabinet can then be used to store cartridges. This is a great option if you have multiple types of firearms you’d like to store in one location or would like the flexibility to rearrange or repurpose the cabinet in the future.</p> <p>The universal back panel can also be used with a standard 4-post shelf
 with electroshock weapon brackets attached to the back panel. In this way, a standard shelf or a mobile system can be outfitted with the same accessories as a weapons rack cabinet.</p>

Public Safety Storage Checklist: Electroshock Weapon and Cartridge Storage

<p>Canine units are a growing part of public safety forces across the United
    States, from small local police departments to federal agencies like the
    TSA and Customs and Border Protection. Dogs are loyal workers and trusted
    partners to their handlers — and well-trained police dogs can find hidden
    drugs, detect explosives, and track suspected criminals.</p>
<p>Some agencies rely not only on dogs’ detection skills, but also on their
    ability to inspire fear. Attack dogs, also called protection dogs, can
    be trained to pursue, confront, and subdue potential attackers or other
    suspects. Successfully training a police protection dog requires years
    of careful work, particularly because the dog must be responsive to its
    handler at all times and in a wide variety of situations. The dog must
    be calm and respectful at crowded public events, even tolerating the occasional
    pat from a stranger. But the dog must also be willing and able to attack
    a person on command.</p>
    
    <p>When training protection dogs to attack, handlers wear “bite suits” to
    protect themselves from cuts and abrasions. A full bite suit consists of
    heavily padded pants, jacket, boots, mitts or gloves, and a hood or helmet.
    At times, some trainers use gauntlets or special sleeves instead of a padded
    jacket.</p>
<p>Since protection dogs need weekly training throughout their careers, departments
    with canine units usually acquire their own bite suits. Storing those suits
    can be a problem because bite suits are large and they must be stored in
    a well-ventilated area to prevent molding and odor. In other words, a bite
    suit soaked with sweat and dog slobber can’t be stuffed in a closet, drawer,
    or personal locker.</p>
    
    <h3>The Solution in Action</h3>
    
    <p>We devised a creative way to use an existing Spacesaver product to create
    bite suit storage when the Carlsbad Police Department in Carlsbad, Calif
    came to us with the need. We specified a <a href="https://www.spacesaver.com/products/locker-storage/ta-50-gear-lockers/">Tactical Readiness Locker</a> with
    double doors and an 84″ height and 30″ depth.</p>
<p>The locker’s sides, doors, and back are made of perforated steel mesh,
    which allows air to flow around the suits and accessories for drying and
    ventilation. A rail provides hanging storage for the jackets, and the pants
    can be folded loosely and stored below. Dividers were added to create compartments
    for helmets, boots, gauntlets, and other accessories. The suit’s carrying
    bag can be stored in the lowest compartment and a high shelf provides additional
    storage. A padlock hasp ensures that the expensive suits, which can cost
    around $1500 each, are securely stored.</p>

Public Safety Storage Checklist: K9 Unit Bite Suit Storage

<p>The current political and social climate has caused an increase in protests
    and large gatherings in many cities around the country. More police departments
    are preparing for these events by ensuring they have adequate riot gear
    in the event that crowds turn violent. At the same time, correctional facilities
    also have to be prepared in case of a riot or violent situation.</p>
<p>While police departments rarely need to use riot gear such as shields,
    helmets, and full body armor, this gear still needs to be stored somewhere
    — and it’s usually less than efficient to store. Sure, shields and bulky
    body armor are a pain to find space for, but when you need them, you want
    to be sure that they’re secure, organized, easy to issue, and ready for
    use.</p>
    
    <p>There are a few ways to store riot gear — specifically shields — that
    will allow you to save space while keeping gear secure and accounted for.
    At one jail, we installed 4-post shelving with full height bin dividers
    to store one shield in each section, as shown below. This system keeps
    shields upright and allows for easy visual inventory, and can also be used
    to store helmets and body armor.</p>

Public Safety Storage Checklist: Shield & Riot Gear Storage for Jail and Police

<p>With the prevalence of school shootings and dangerous illegal activities
    anywhere there’s a crowd of people, a sobering reality has emerged—security
    resources are starting to become commonplace in locations where they might
    not have been a few decades ago. For years, many schools have had school
    resource officers to act as a liaison between students and community resources,
    provide safety education, and ensure security on school grounds. But now,
    many schools are beginning to look at new ways to have secure, quick access
    to weapons and gear in the event of an emergency. Think of it as “point-of-need”
    storage for weapons access.</p>
    
    
  <p>Some schools have responded to this need by installing a <a href="/products/locker-storage/freestyle-personal-storage-locker/">FreeStyle Locker</a>—a
    storage cabinet with a locking mechanism that keeps the content secure
    and allows immediate access to the weapons and gear inside. Security and
    immediacy are just one piece of this solution—the other factor is ensuring
    that these lockers look like anything but a gun cabinet. Although these
    lockers are built with the same security as you’d find in a police armory,
    they can be designed to look like standard lockers or filing cabinets for
    a more discrete solution.</p>
<p>This solution serves the day-to-day gear storage needs of the school resource
    officer, but also provides peace of mind in the rare event that an emergency
    should occur.</p>  
    
    
    	<h3>The Solution in Action</h3>

<p>When a school district in LaCrosse, Wisconsin was looking for a weapons
    storage locker for their school resource officer, their local Spacesaver
    dealer customized a FreeStyle Locker with a bottom compartment large enough
    to store a rifle and two smaller compartments on the top for evidence storage,
    duty bag storage, and ammo storage. The bottom portion of the locker was
    outfitted with a Digilock to allow keyless PIN-code access, and a rail
    to store the rifle in an upright, secure position at all times.</p>