Monday, Oct. 20, 2003 | 9:39 a.m.
At 5 feet, 6 inches and 153 pounds, Metro Police Officer Bob Hindi takes officer safety very seriously.
"I was always challenged as a smaller officer," he said. "I look at things differently than a taller, bulkier officer."
Explaining that quick access to pepper spray, batons, guns and other equipment could be the difference between life and death for officers and members of the public, Hindi came up with a strategy for how cops wear equipment on their duty belts.
He dubbed it the "Hindi belt safety system." The concept is simple: Cops should place equipment on their belts in priority order, making it so every piece can be grabbed with either hand, and no equipment should be placed behind the officer's back.
Hindi even created an acronym that sums it up -- SAFETY: Safer Accessibility and Faster, more Efficient Tactics for You.
"The motto for this belt system is, 'Two hands are better than one,' " he said. "This is such a common sense, logical approach to officer safety."
During his 16-year career with Metro, Hindi said he has seen many officers unable to grab essential pieces of equipment in high-risk situations. He did some research and came up with his system.
Last week the 16-year Metro veteran trotted out his system to the department's defensive tactics committee, and officials liked what they saw.
"It was very positively received and it is now being highly considered for department implementation," Hindi's supervisor, Sgt. Hans Walters, said.
Hindi describes his system as "a smooth, more rapid transition of priority equipment."
For a right-handed officer, Hindi's system dictates that the gun, handcuffs and pepper spray should be placed from hip to front on the left side, and the two magazine pouches, baton, and radio should be placed from front to hip on the right side. A small flashlight can be placed behind the gun.
Pepper spray is in the front and the gun is placed farthest away -- but still easily reachable -- because deadly force should be a last resort, he said. Most importantly, equipment shouldn't be placed behind an officer's back. It makes it easier for a suspect to grab and harder for the officer to access.
"When an officer is involved in a struggle, adrenaline is rushing through his system. His hands start to tremble and it lessens his ability to get to his equipment fast," Hindi said.
Fear sets in, which could escalate the situation and cause the officer to resort to deadly force.
"This is safer for officers, safer for the public and safer for the department in terms of liability," he said.
His system calls for the Taser, which all Metro officers will eventually carry, to be worn strapped to the officer's leg. Sheriff Bill Young has said he does not like how it looks, calling it "too hardcore." But Hindi said he gave the committee several placement options that remain true to his general philosophy.
Metro doesn't currently enforce any rules on where officers should wear their equipment. After another review by the defensive tactics committee, the system will be presented before the police academy staff. If everyone embraces the idea, Hindi said, it may be adopted by the department and taught at the academy.
Hindi, a former K-9 officer who is now assigned to McCarran International Airport, has been traveling on his days off for the past 3 1/2 years to law enforcement seminars to demonstrate his system, and he said he's gotten overwhelmingly positive reactions.
Some officers who have seen his system ask where they should place their cell phone or pager. Hindi has an answer: Anywhere but your duty belt. Attaching them to his lapel has worked for him.
"They're placing nonessential devices in priority places on their belts," Hindi said. "I tell them, 'When you're getting beaten on the ground, why don't you just get your phone and dial 911 because that's the only thing you'll be able to do."'
He also suggests that officers wear their microphones clipped to the necks of their shirts instead of attached to their shoulders. That way, they can talk by lowering their chins instead of craning their necks back. Doing that could cause the officers' aim to go off target if they're holding a suspect at gunpoint, he said.
This isn't the first time Hindi has come up with an idea to increase officer safety.
In 1999 he designed an attachment for cops' expandable straight batons that make them less likely to slip out of the officer's hand. He found a manufacturer and named the mushroom-shaped knob the "Hindi End Cap." They're available in three different sizes and retail for $20.99 to $23.99.
Hindi is also writing a book on officer safety.
"The criminal element has changed and officers really need to be prepared," Hindi said.
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