Why doe some cops carry knives on their belts and some don't?

Question

Is it issued, or do they think it makes em' look cool?

Answer 1

Not issued, some also carry a second gun, an ankle pistol in a holster.

Answer 2

I should think if they came upon a car accident & the seat belt needs to be cut off in an emergency such as a car fire. Plus it can be used as a weapon.  

Answer 3

Knife = tool !  It's just another tool to be used in the event the situation calls for it.  You can't open things with a riot baton, and you can't cut things with your pistol.  Almost every man I know has SOME kind of pocket knife on them all the time.  Most of my family members are mechanics and always have a knife.  It's a basic TOOL...and has been since about 20,000 BC.  Get over your fear of knives.  

Answer 4

They are not issued most of the time. They have many uses, cutting seatbelts, rescues, backup weapon, open things, fix things, etc.  

Answer 5

Personal choice.  Do I think it makes me look cool?  No, but you might be happy when you wreck your car and that knife cuts your seatbelt off you.

Answer 6

Not issued usually.  Personal preference to carry one.  They do come in handy for like cutting the zip ties you may have to use if there is a larger group of people and not enough cuffs.  Myriad of other situations where a knife comes in handy.

Answer 7

I carry a back up knife in addition to my back up gun.  My corporal carries five knives on him........no joke.  

It is not issued and I carry it because you never know when it might come in handy.  I also carry a multi-tool on my duty gear.

Answer 8

Mine is not issued, I carry to use to cut seatbelts, probe things for narcotics, etc.  It is also as a last resort back up weapon, I am not going to die cause I ran out of bullets like a lot of cops, I'm fighting with whatever is handy.  I'll go home alive before some punk does.