Getting a glimpse behind the curtain of life as a police officer is a rare occurrence indeed – but one copper has stunned civvies with an unusual detail.
Chris, who works with the Metropolitan Police, has given viewers on TikTok a peek at what life is like in his role. During a video on the force’s official page, he showed off what you can find inside his car.
Naturally, the car was kitted out with all the gear you’d expect an officer might need to handle any incident or ruckus. But folk were left scratching their heads after the Met Police officer revealed the contents of his car boot – particularly two unexpected items.
Giving viewers a peek inside, Chris displayed traffic cones for road closures during accidents, traffic signs, blue lights, a first aid kit and police tape for cordoning off crime scenes. He also showcased the ‘stinger’, a device used by police to halt vehicles by puncturing their tyres, also known as spike strips or tyre deflation devices.
These items are standard issue and handy for stopping someone during a car chase or attending a crime scene. But then he unveiled two items that left people flummoxed, reports the Mirror – a broom and a shovel.
“Why shovel? ” queried a bewildered commenter. “What’s a broom going to do? ” another puzzled.
Skepticism continued, with someone asking, “Why do you need a shovel?” while yet another person wondered: “What will you use the broom for?”
While confusion reigned for some, others saw clarity in the officer’s equipment choice. One individual explained: “Why are so many confused the broom and shovel is for cleaning debris.”
Echoing this sentiment, another remarked: “Sweeping debris off the road after a collision.” Looking back to 2018, Felixstowe and Woodbridge Police revealed their response vehicle’s essentials on X, disclosing “just some of the things we carry in a response vehicle” complete with a telling inventory display.
It included:
- Accident panels x2
- Arrow panels x2
- Slow panels x2
- Road closed panels x2
- Sign stands x2
- Red and white cones x5
- Blue flashing lamps x4
- Fire extinguisher x1
- Saw x1
- Shovel x1
- Broom x1
- Sealed first aid kit x1
- Map book x1
- Draeger breathalyser x1
- Sat nav x1
- Pegs for SOCO cones x2
- SOCO cones x2
- Blanket in bag x1
- Access card to police investigation centre x1
- Hard hats x2
- Safety glasses x1
- Ear plugs x1
- Spit hood x1
- Police scene tape x1
- Scene log x1
- Early evidence kit x1
- Hand swab kit x1
- Sexual offences kit or vehicle seat cover x1
- Bolt croppers x1
- Dog spray x1
- Emergency hammer x1
- Yellow spray can x1
- Safety knife x1
- Crowbar x1
- Knife container x1
- Smart water torch x1
- Disposable face mask x1
- Hand sanitiser x1
- Sharps box x1
- Heavy duty gloves x1
- Goggles x1
- Tape measure x1
- Escape hood x2