28 Best Gifts for Police Officers, On and Off Duty

A patrol car is a workspace for the entire shift, and most officers keep their paperwork, gloves and spare light in a loose pile on the passenger seat. This bag straps to the seat and gives everything a place, so they can grab a citation book or flashlight without searching. One of the most practical gifts on the list, and safe because no department needs to approve it.

Officers cut seatbelts, pry open panels, tighten loose gear and fix things on the fly every week. The Wave Plus handles all of it with blades that open one-handed, and the 25-year warranty means it will outlast their career. It is our top pick if you want one gift that earns its place in the duty bag.

Field notes taken at a rainy crash scene end up in reports and sometimes in court, so they need to survive. This notebook's paper shrugs off rain and mud and fits a uniform pocket. At about $16, it is the best small gift for any patrol officer; buy a few, because they go through them fast.

Ordinary ballpoints stop working in the cold or when held upside-down against a car roof. This pressurized pen keeps writing in both cases, and it pairs neatly with the notebook above for a complete field-notes gift.

The department issues a duty light, but officers want something bright for off-duty carry and their own car. The Baton4 fits in a jeans pocket and puts out 1,300 lumens, and the magnetic tail sticks to a car hood when both hands are busy.

A splurge for an officer who already carries a knife and would appreciate a lighter, better one. The Bugout weighs under two ounces and its S30V blade holds an edge. Check that knives are allowed under their department's policy before giving it for on-duty use.

A favorite for off-duty carry and for wearing under a duty belt. The plastic buckle means they will not set off a metal detector when testifying at the courthouse, a detail officers appreciate.

Officers are often first on scene at a shooting or crash, well before EMS. A complete trauma kit for the personal vehicle or patrol bag means they can treat serious bleeding wherever they are, on or off duty. It is a serious gift that shows you understand the job.

Many officers carry a tourniquet on their belt and keep a spare in the car. Give the genuine North American Rescue model, since counterfeits have failed in testing; it is a small, affordable gift that may save a life someday.

Officers qualify with their weapons regularly and need to clean them after every range day. A complete, well-organized kit that covers pistols and patrol rifles is something they will reach for often.

Standing at a traffic post or sitting in a cruiser for hours both leave legs swollen and heavy. Compression socks under uniform pants make a real difference by the end of the shift, and the three neutral colors pass any uniform inspection.

Duty boots are built for durability, not comfort. Memory foam insoles cut to fit add cushioning for officers walking a beat, and at under $10 they are an easy add-on to a bigger gift.

Winter traffic duty and parade details mean hours standing still in the cold. This vest is thin enough to wear under a duty jacket and runs up to 10 hours on one battery, enough for a full shift.

A loaded duty belt and body armor put real strain on the lower back and shoulders. The Theragun Mini lets an officer work out those knots after a shift, and it is small enough to keep in a locker or gym bag.

Coffee keeps patrol going, and this YETI keeps it hot for hours in the cup holder. The royal blue is a subtle nod to the job, and the steel body survives getting knocked around in a cruiser.

Officers on long or double shifts often cannot count on a meal break near a restaurant. This cooler holds a full day of food and drinks, and the MOLLE webbing and shoulder strap fit right in with the rest of their gear.

Officers working graveyard shifts have to sleep while the sun is up. The Manta blocks all light without pressing on the eyes, and it is the gift night-shift officers say they wish they had bought years earlier.

Daytime brings school buses, deliveries and lawnmowers. A white noise machine masks all of it so an officer coming off nights can sleep through until their next shift.

After a night shift spent staring at a patrol laptop and headlights, it is hard to wind down. Red-lens glasses worn for the last hour before bed filter the light that keeps the brain alert, an inexpensive addition to a night-shift sleep kit.

A watch built to survive the job and help with fitness tests. Battery life of up to four weeks means it will not die mid-shift, and it tracks sleep, which is useful for officers on rotating schedules. A great promotion or graduation gift.

The classic duty watch: easy to read in the dark, impossible to break, and inexpensive enough that a scuffle will not ruin anything valuable. A safe choice for a new recruit fresh out of the academy.

St. Michael is the patron saint of police officers, and families often give this medal at academy graduation or a first patrol assignment. Solid sterling silver makes it a keepsake worn for a whole career.

Challenge coins pile up over years of trainings, unit events and details. This walnut rack turns a drawer full of coins into a proud display, a great retirement or promotion gift.

Retired badges, patches from old assignments and commendation pins deserve better than a junk drawer. This small box keeps them together and works well as a retirement gift or a memorial piece.

A good gift for a newly sworn officer who needs to carry their badge and ID off duty. Measure their shield against the 3.14 by 2.18-inch cutout first, since badge sizes vary by department.

Many police academies and trainers recommend this book because it explains what stress does to perception, memory and the body in a critical incident, and how to recover afterward. A thoughtful gift for a new officer.

A good thank-you for a precinct or a family friend on the force. The pods go straight into the break room Keurig, and the Thin Blue Line roast was made with law enforcement in mind.

An easy stocking stuffer that officers and their families can wear off duty in winter. The embroidered flag is a quiet show of support.