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Main Page Sam Browne
(Click here to view the original thread on the MassCops Message Board)

Posted by: IrishTrooper

Continuing on from the 'Cross Strap Fashion Statement' Topic, which unfortunately had to be closed; I have never heard of it being referred as a Cross Strap but always as a Sam Browne.

It is interesting to read the history of The Sam, its original use by the military and then by the police.

Here are some interesting links, which if you are genuinely interested, makes good reading.

http://www.diggerhistory.info/pages-...sam_browne.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Browne_belt

My personal view is that in a practical sense, The Sam Browne looks good as part of a ceremonial uniform but is not suitable as part of an operational police uniform, for the reasons as stated in the above link,

"The safety concerns stem from a nickname attributed to the danger in wearing this gear during a close physical altercation: the suicide belt. An assailant could easily grab hold of the belt and either throw the wearer off balance; throw the wearer to the ground, or even choke the wearer by ripping one end of the belt from its mooring and quickly wrapping it around the neck. Some criminals became so adept at using a police officer's Sam Browne belt against him, that police departments began ordering it discontinued as part of patrol gear. It remained, however, as a ceremonial/decorative piece of gear."

Another interesting read is Sam Browne and Beyond,

http://www.iwitts.com/html/sam_brown...__a_look_.html

Posted by: Killjoy

With the demise of the cross strap being used for anything but looks, Troopers on the MSP and other departments who employ them, use break-away clasps to attach them to their duty belts. This makes it very difficult to throw an officer around with it, a hard pull and "plink" the cross strap falls away. Some officers, myself included, have stopped using microphones attached to those cables that clip to the lapel on their portable radios because they have gotten us hung up in fights.

Good post though!

Posted by: kwflatbed

Lets keep this thread on track.

Posted by: PaulKersey

About 10 years back, I saw a trooper get spun around and thrown down the stairs at the projects. I don't know if it was before the break-aways, or it was the way the kid grabbed it, but it was enough to send him flying. The poor guy screwed up his back.

Rest assured, he left in better shape than the kid.

Posted by: IrishTrooper

Quote:

Originally Posted by Killjoy

With the demise of the cross strap being used for anything but looks, Troopers on the MSP and other departments who employ them, use break-away clasps to attach them to their duty belts. This makes it very difficult to throw an officer around with it, a hard pull and "plink" the cross strap falls away.........

Ah, old fashion design improved with the application of modern technology - nicely done.

There is no doubt that worn correctly the Sam Browne does look good and in this, the dress tunic of the RCMP comes to mind.

I recall many years ago in the late 1950's when the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) introduced their new uniform which included the Sam Browne - most patrols then were foot patrols and a 6'2" RUC Man in uniform incl Sam Browne certainly looked the part.

Sadly because of the safety issues that were previously mentioned, the wearing of Sam on operational patrols was abolished - maybe they should have thought of 'Breakaway Clasps'.

That was the RUC, to my knowledge the modern UK Police have never worn Sams and I don't recall An Garda ever wearing Sams, maybe the senior officers.

Anyhow, there you go - a bit of history, I guess.

It's good to see Sam still in use.

Cheers.

Posted by: 2-Delta

Quote:

Originally Posted by Killjoy

Some officers, myself included, have stopped using microphones attached to those cables that clip to the lapel on their portable radios because they have gotten us hung up in fights.

The MSP should look into the wireless Freelinc shoulder mics. We had a demo and it worked well. I think some Sd's are also looking into them for the CO's.

Posted by: Killjoy

Quote:

The MSP should look into the wireless Freelinc shoulder mics. We had a demo and it worked well. I think some Sd's are also looking into them for the CO's.

An officer could buy one if he wanted to, but as cheap as my job is, I don't think we'll be issuing wireless mikes anytime soon.

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