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LEO spouse here.

My advice to you: read " emotional survival for law enforcement." Get a good understanding of hypervigilance. Understand that even when he's off duty he'll still be eagle eyed and spot things you wouldn't have noticed. Get used to sitting with your back facing the room when you go out to eat. Also, you may have to stop eating at your favourite pub because he's arrested half the kitchen staff.

When my spouse was on shift (he's a detective now), he enjoyed bringing in my cooking and his shift reported enjoying eating it. Give him some time to get settled into his shift and become more familiar with the force's operating procedures and his shift mates.

You can't go wrong with communication and that may be hard for him. There are going to be times where he doesn't want to, or he simply can't talk about what happened on shift. Also, it isn't your responsibility to carry the burden of those things and he probably won't want to unburden himself to you. Seriously though, reading the book can help a lot.
http://www.amazon.com/Emotional-survival-law-enforcement-officers/dp/0971725403/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1421116153&sr=8-1&keywords=Emotional+intelligence+for+law+enforcement

My spouse says that is is important for him to maintain friendships outside of law enforcement. That gets more and more difficult as he becomes immersed in the "brotherhood." He won't work the same hours as other people and it might be difficult to schedule those social times. But those the importance of those friendships is that they remind him that he is not just a cop. If you don't work to maintain those friendships, pretty soon you'll find that the only friends you have are other LEO's and their spouses. While the LEO family ( and trust me, it will be your family) is great, it doesn't give your spouse a chance to put 'put down his badge.' He needs that kind of break for his own well being and your's too.

Safariland Duty Gear Hidden Snap Flap Top Double Handcuff Pouch (Basketweave Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000PL14YA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_DSnLDb1YPQCCZ

Just got mine in. Haven’t had a chance to even open it yet but I’ve heard good things. Also frees up belt space. I did read some people saying it won’t fit two pairs of hinged.

Bersa thunder .380 currently with a holster kinda like this. Its ok but it twists too much on my belt. I just bought this holster but I haven't gotten it yet. I'm hoping with two points of contact it will be a bit more secure.

>Could you elaborate on how a social contract makes following laws an ethical matter?

Not on Reddit, I don't have anywhere near that kind of time.

http://smile.amazon.com/Locke-Treatises-Government-Cambridge-Political/dp/0521357306

http://smile.amazon.com/Social-Contract-Dover-Thrift-Editions/dp/0486426920

http://smile.amazon.com/Theory-Justice-John-Rawls/dp/0674000781

These three books are a great place to start. Consider me your intro to political philosophy professor.

I drive cab and our owner changed the rule for that, I'm sure you already have way to much stuff, but these are the bomb.

I got sidetracked and completely forgot to say thank you for this comment, but THANK YOU, this was really helpful. (As far as the blitz attack thing, I was assuming a physical/non-sexual assault with the intent to maim.)

(Also for non-leo/crime writer folks, I came across this book that's helpful on the basics, although like most other sources it doesn't really address the investigation procedure post-crime-scene as this helpful gentleman has done.)

A pet seat-belt or harness may be the best choice for you. I also believe that it is a ticket able and a pullover able offence in NJ to have an unrestrained animal in the car. I would look into getting something like this https://www.amazon.com/HDP-Harness-Safety-Travel-System/dp/B000XKSUD6

or


http://www.1800petmeds.com/product.jsp?id=prod64430&sku=64430&AFFID=GG&ID=1726189483&adpos=1o6&creative=45746555546&device=c&matchtype=&network=g&gclid=CjwKEAjw8Jy8BRCE0pOC9qzRhkMSJABC1pvJLdzBm0y8WxR70cM9nDK5lC1plx9hPwfwEnaESO3bERoC5zjw_wcB

or

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?aid=274


or

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?aid=274

I think most depends on your state, and facility. I worked a Medium Minimum for a couple years at the state prison level. I've also worked at a county jail spending most of my time in our high security area.

But when I was at the prison, it was come on shift, get our assignments which didn't change once you are permanently assigned unless you got annual leave, or sick call relief. But we'd go through our minor control into the actual perimeter of the facility and go by major control and get the tags for who you are replacing, and give them yours. We called them chits. They were for the equipment we would be getting, keys, cuffs, radio that was it. Then go to our assigned area and you'd give them their chits and get your equipment, a brief on how their shift went and any other issues in the unit. Then they would leave, and you would be on your own. I usually started my log, reviewed the previous log for anything that might jump out at me issue wise, or whether we got or lost inmates count wise. Then I would do my first walk through of the unit, and once that was done I would check the behavior log for the inmates, and our picture count book, which gave me the opportunity to start learning their names. If there was movement then that would be announced, as to when it opened and closed. Also write infractions, and general interactions with the inmates.

The academy will give you the basics, you should do a more in depth OJT at your facility. And one thing I can recommend is getting and reading the book Games Criminals Play: How you can profit from knowing them. Has great information, and I've seen more then one officer get manipulated my inmates, up to losing their jobs for it. Remember you have 8-12 hours a day with them, they have 24 to figure out how to screw you.

Disclaimer, I only patrol about a dozen shifts a month.

 


Pen-style cuff key in left shirt pocket, next to my Fisher Space Pen.
Rite-in-the-Rain notepad in the same pocket.
Whistle on a chain in right shirt pocket.
Good folding knife with seat belt cutter and window breaker.
Phone Charger.
Backup pocket-carry CREE LED flashlight.

How about a motion activated sprinkler like this?
Activated Water Blaster - Animal Repellent https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078R6PRZ6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_VQtPDbFT9190X

Assuming you're a writer, but either way, this series of books may be helpful to you. There are a ton of them and they seem to be geared toward crime/mystery/procedural style genre fiction.

Edit: I'm unsure if there is an updated version or a similar, more modern work. I just realized this has a copyright date of 1992.

Edit 2: I ain't a cop, just a former bookseller.

https://www.amazon.com/Altec-Products-Retractable-License-Holder/dp/B001E4E0ZW

Compliance is about more than just the fine.

Emotional survival for law enforcement: A guide for officers and their families https://www.amazon.com/dp/0971725403/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_gdJ6Cb2V38NHD

This case is how I carry my Leatherman on my 2.25” belt.

I'm old school and am rocking one of these both on duty and off unless I'm dressing up, and then I have one of these.

Waterproof notebooks

Here is the mobile version of your link

https://www.amazon.com/ProLab-Caffeine-Maximum-Potency-100-Count/dp/B0011865IQ


Or any other pill that comes in a bottle? Do you have to carry them individually in your pocket, which is weird in itself.

> I see black men stopped for literally nothing all the time, cuffed, slammed against cars, IDs ran and then let go


I recommend this book all the time but that's because it's really well written and interesting:

http://www.amazon.com/Profiles-Injustice-Racial-Profiling-Cannot/dp/1565848187

David A. Harris looks at actual police statistics and argues that racial profiling isn't just racist - its bad police work. In one of the precincts that kept stats, in NJ if I recall, he found traffic cops who'd in an entire year, only pulled over black people. For TRAFFIC violations, which are committed of people of every color.

Nearly every PD has an EAP (employee assistance program) of some sort, an anonymous number they can contact in order to talk about the issues they may be having.

Many PD's have groups that meet, shooter groups, loss groups, etc.

I have posted it before and I will again each time because it is that good.

Emotional Survival For Law Enforcement is an awesome book. I bought a dozen copies over the last two years to give out to coworkers, new recruits, family members and those who just have issues dealing with stress. The book really explains a lot and what it does not explain it touches on enough that you can do the research for the answers on your own.

Education and understanding are the #1 ways to fight against mental issues, stress and depression specifically, that come from the job.

I have seen a lot, done a lot and been exposed to so many horrible things that I have no doubt if I had not read and educated myself on this topic beforehand I would have issues.

Saying you have a problem is not a sign of weakness, crying is not a sign of weakness. Last time my PD lost an officer I cried like a little girl, no shame in it, we are all human.