Public Safety, Public Safety Storage Checklist
Badge Storage
A Public Safety Storage Checklist
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.
The best system for badge storage consists of 3 parts that can easily be integrated into your department’s overall gear storage solution.
The Solution in Action
Locked Room
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.
Shelf with lockable drawer or bin
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).
Mobile Storage System (optional)
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.