You’ve probably long since developed “muscle memory” to quickly turn down your portable radio (if you don’t have an ear piece, I encourage you to consider getting one), but have you thought about all the other things you carry around that might make a sound that betrays your position in a silent environment?
It’s not uncommon these days for officers to carry two (or more) mobile phones, wear a digital watch, and have a set of keys rivaling those you might see dangling from the belt of the hospital janitor. Add your loose change from that 10-7 you just had at the local diner, and you can quickly become a walking noisemaker.
Remember, you may need to go into stealth mode with little to no warning or “prep time.” Turning the ringers off your phones can become a fairly lengthy process, the more phones you have to carry. And remember that a ringer set on “vibrate” mode can sound as loud as a bugle when maximum stealth is the name of the game.
I don’t personally know anybody who has that hourly chime set on their watch, but I suspect someone reading this knows “that guy” on the department. Turn that thing off.
Make it a habit to ensure that those jangling keys are secured in a keeper, and your loose change is stowed in your squad (as opposed to your pockets). If you absolutely insist on keeping coins in your pocket, consider keeping them in one of those oval-shaped rubber coin purses.
I’ve long since forgotten where I heard this (or read it), but it’s a pretty good idea to jump up and down a few times in the squad room before your shift — and every so often during your shift — to be certain you’re not making any unwanted sounds.
Stay safe out there my friends.
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