Silly questions about police officers and office supplies?
J Kennedy asked:
I work as an office supply rep for a officer supply small company. I basically just deliever supplies and catalogs to customers. One company on my route is a gun shop that serves mostly law enforcement. Being the nature of my business, I’ve noticed that officers in the store seem to carry different pens in the pockets on their uniform.
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I work as an office supply rep for a officer supply small company. I basically just deliever supplies and catalogs to customers. One company on my route is a gun shop that serves mostly law enforcement. Being the nature of my business, I’ve noticed that officers in the store seem to carry different pens in the pockets on their uniform.
I always thought that everything was issued to officers. Do departments issue pens? Are they allowed to use their own? Do you think they would mind if I saw one and give a sample to pass around? What are popular pens among law enforcement? I may be able to save them money.
I know it’s a silly question, but I’m curious.
March 16th, 2009 at 2:12 am
fisher space pen is popular among law enforcement/ ems
March 16th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
LOL. Actually it’s not that silly of a question. I have a weird interest in pens and I notice things like that too.
At my department, we have a Office Max credit card. And the usually once a month or so, one of our clerks orders stuff online or goes to the store to restock. We aren’t “issued” pens. But if a pen is needed, we have a supply room where an officer can get one. They only buy cheap stick pens and Pilot Easy Touch pens. So most officers just provide their own.
I carry a Fisher Space Pen “Police Pro”. My wife bought it for me a couple years back. I also carry a couple Uni-Ball Power Tank pens in my bag. I like both because they write on wet paper, upside down, and do well when it’s freezing out. Since I am left handed, all gel pens are a no no for me.
If you see an officer in a store or something. I don’t think it’s out of line to give him a product and your card. But I wouldn’t bug them on the street.
March 18th, 2009 at 8:41 pm
Justin,
My husband and I have worked law enforcement for years, the thing you have to remember is to have a pen around an inmate can be lethal.
Most of the guys in his unit carry something like a Pilot fine point, they like that good easy black fine ink on the reports.
It would not do any good if they did issue pens, someone always takes them, so they just have to get their own and keep track of it so the inmate does not use it for weapon or to get the ink out for tatooing.
Good luck though!
March 18th, 2009 at 11:14 pm
Retired DIspatcher II
In my department they did not supply pens. You usually had one you carried.
Usually black ink and fine line. I think it would be a good idea.
March 21st, 2009 at 5:51 am
I’m not in law enforcement, but I can’t imagine why an officer would not be allowed to supply their own pen. as often as people forget to return pens they use, and as often as officers lend pens to people for writing statements, I would imagine they go though a lot of pens.
March 23rd, 2009 at 10:43 pm
I use the cheapest pens I can get.
Seems like I’m always letting people use them to write a statement, or sign a citation. I can not count the times someone sticks it in their mouth, or has incredibly filthy hands, so I can just toss it and grab another.
And no, I do not think you would be out of line giving out your card.
March 24th, 2009 at 9:12 pm
a lot of officers carry two different sets of pens-gold or silver Cross pens for show and El cheapo stick pens to have people make out statements, sign citation with, we deal with some really nasty people, with sores , scabs, and such.