Leather Police Jackets: Four Criteria for Choosing the Best One
There's a reason why a lot of police departments opt for leather when it comes to the uniform that their motorcycle law enforcement personnel wear: leather police jackets do the best job as protective gear. While it's true that non-leather materials have become better over the years, they still can't compare to high quality leather when it comes to protection. The jackets that afford the most protection are made from cowhide as opposed to split leather.
If your department has chosen to go with leather there are four key considerations you need to keep in mind when selecting your jacket: fit, adjustability for weather conditions, reinforcements for additional safety, and whether or not the jacket has adequate storage capacity.
To work as effective protective gear, a leather jacket needs to fit properly. For the most common application as part of a motorcycle cop's uniform, the jacket should have the following qualities when it comes to fit: First, the sleeves must be slightly longer so that your arms are adequately covered when seated on a motorcycle. Second, it should be roomy enough in the shoulders that your arm and shoulder movement isn't inhibited. And third, it should be long enough at the back to cover the top of your pants because it needs to protect your spine and kidney area.
Your jacket must be adjustable to seasonal changes in temperature and all types of weather. This means that it needs to be lined for warmth in the winter and have venting for staying cool in the heat of the summer. The liner should be dense enough that you will be warm enough with minimal layering and ideally, it should also be removable. As for vents, they allow air to penetrate through the jacket to cool your skin as you ride. As you might imagine, they're crucial for hot summer days or for those officers living in hotter climates. They have zippered closures with the primary vents being located on the front and back of the jacket and the secondary vents along the sleeves.
Choosing a reinforced leather jacket is a good idea since it provides the best protection. This type of jacket not only protects your skin, it also shields your bones and joints. The reinforcements may come in the form of additional padding or even a layer of heavy duty plastic "armor" that is sewn into the jacket. It is especially important to make sure this type of jacket fits properly because the armored layers need to cover the areas they're designed to protect. For instance, the shoulder pads should cover the shoulders, the elbow guards need to fit over the elbows, etc.
Finally, storage capacity is an important consideration for motorcycle police because other forms like a purse or pants pockets are impractical. Make sure the jacket has at least one interior pocket to store your wallet, coinage, and cell phone. The exterior pockets should have sturdy zippered closures and all pockets should be waterproof, if possible.
Leather jackets provide law enforcement personnel, especially motorcycle cops, the best protection out of any other material. Choosing the right jacket for you will help you stay safe and comfortable while on the job.
