For Hank and Kathy Scott, police work is personal. Their son is a law enforcement professional, and Kathy Scott’s great-grandfather was the first police officer in the history of Henrico County, Virginia, to lose his life in the line of duty.

“That thin blue line is very special to us,” Kathy Scott said.¹ The husband-and-wife team brings that commitment with them every day to the work they do as co-owners of Performance Custom Cabinets, LLC, a custom designer and builder of security cabinets, gun vaults, and mobile command modules for law enforcement agencies.

One might be forgiven for assuming that all storage equipment is the same. But companies like Performance Custom Cabinets put a lot of thought and expertise into the best ways to store firearms and other law enforcement tools and weapons. Maximizing security and efficiency is a priority for these producers who strive to help law enforcement professionals do their work more effectively.

Store It Securely

Performance Custom Cabinets, headquartered in Powhatan, Virginia, makes several products, all of which can be custom-built to meet individual specifications. The product of which they are most proud currently is the Thorguarde Weapons Vault. The vault recently received a score of 4.32 and an endorsement from the National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA) Member Tested and Recommended Program.

“The feedback has been very, very good,” Hank Scott said. “We haven’t sold this to anyone who hasn’t been thrilled.”²

First unveiled in 2013, the Thorguarde Weapons Vault doubled its sales in 2014 and did so again in 2015. The vault is a high-security aluminum cabinet, which is mainly designed for firearms, ammunition, and tactical gear. Security enhancements include two rotary latches and shoulder pins, as well as an available electronic keypad that allows users to create personal identification numbers, while always having the option of a key override if necessary. The lightweight aluminum frame weighs only 65 pounds for a standard sedan-compatible model. Comparable models can weigh twice as much, according to Kathy Scott.³

However, sometimes officers need a storage option that can be more easily moved from place to place. Tactical security lockboxes available from Cortez, Colorado-based Tuffy Security Products can be prepared in seconds to transfer between locations. They range in size and cost from $457
to $598.⁴

Concealed and Covert

Sometimes in law enforcement, storage equipment needs to be covert as well as convenient, and Tuffy also offers various solutions for this situation.

For example, several of Tuffy’s steel security lockboxes can be mounted under the rear seat of a vehicle to hide them from sight. Users open the lockbox by flipping up the rear seat. This design allows officers to take advantage of the full width of the box for stowing longer firearms and similar items.

Tuffy’s Conceal Carry Valuables Tote is a smaller, lockable storage box that can be used to protect valuables or sensitive items like a handgun while transporting them by hand. A mounting sleeve, which is included with the purchase, allows the tote to be securely bolted to a vehicle or any other surface if needed, with the box sliding into the sleeve and locking in place.

5.11 Tactical, a manufacturer based in Modesto, California, has several storage options for officers wishing to keep a lower profile. The Internal Waist Band concealed-carry holster is popular with covert specialists and is designed to be worn on an officer’s person. Built in partnership with the Blade-Tech and Viking Tactics companies, the Appendix carry holster is designed for quick access to weapons as well as a secure fit that does not ride up. The 5.11 Appendix Holster is manufactured using a special polymer that is both heat- and oil-resistant. The holster can easily be fitted in the front or back of the body and offers an integrated light clip for secure flashlight storage.

5.11 Tactical also offers its COVRT Tech Sleeve, which was specially created to store and protect mobile devices. The tech sleeve, built to integrate with the company’s other sleeves and holsters, also features a quick-ID badge holder at the front. On the other end of the concealed-carry spectrum, the Select Carry Sling Pack is built to securely and covertly store a submachine gun or other variety of collapsible stock short arm while remaining inconspicuous. The sling pack comes with a detachable front pouch that resembles and functions like a fanny pack, providing sufficient additional space for a backup sidearm, knife, or additional magazines. Other features of the sling pack, which is available at a cost of $139.99, include an integrated pull tab that ensures rapid and precise weapon access, a breakaway strap that can be used for even more storage security and flexibility, and an internal hydration bladder and water bottle pocket.⁵

Safety and Convenience

Weapons are obviously a key consideration when it comes to the security of a given storage option. A weapon falling into the wrong hands is one of the most persistent recurring nightmares of any police officer. Fortunately, firearm holsters and gear bags provide more safety and security than ever, without sacrificing an officer’s ability to access his or her weapon when it is needed most.

The 5.11 Tactical Glock 17/22 ThumbDrive Holster was engineered to be the quickest and safest Level II holster in the world, according to the company’s website.⁶ The company has pioneered a single-thumb retention and release system that preserves a safe and natural-feeling release, while the removable Chop-Block switch guard provides added retention capabilities. Moreover, the holster, which is available at a cost of $64.99, allows each user to establish the placement and draw angles he or she prefers, with the optional Drop/Offset and Thigh Rig kits allowing additional customization for optimal speed and safety.

Santa Cruz Gun Locks, a company based in Webster, New Hampshire, manufactures gun locks and weapons mounting systems. Its patented SC-5 Universal Gunlock is its most recent advancement. According to company information, the SC-5 can secure virtually any long gun with a thick, stainless steel construction. The SC-5’s highly adjustable arm ratchets down to a point selected by the user, and an attached strongbox of stainless steel plates and rivets helps finish the job and hold the firearm fast. Lock activation is either electronic or manual. An electric pushbutton and two keys are shipped with the lock, with the electronic and manual options functioning independently of each other.

All in all, the locking diameter and the SC-5’s sliding ability means that users can lock into any position along the 18-36″ mounting bar. Officers who purchase the SC-5 can rapidly configure gun racks to their specifications, providing a truly universal gun lock and optimum safety in weapon storage. (The SC-5 is available through the Santa Cruz website for $159.99.)⁷

Everyday Reliability

As police officers know, weapons are far from the only items that require a solid storage option. Clothing and gear need to be stored as well, and officers need reliable options that don’t require a lot of fuss.

Lockers are one such solution. Established in 1936, Salsbury Industries, with corporate offices located in Los Angeles, California, is an industry leader in manufacturing and distributing high-quality lockers for public safety agencies and well beyond. Salsbury makes and sells just about every kind of locker imaginable, from metal to wood to plastic construction, vented and nonvented options, extra wide, and modular models. The company also offers other storage solutions like customizable shelving, cabinets, and benches.⁸

5.11 Tactical manufactures bags and pouches for all manner of law enforcement gear. The 5.11 Wingman Patrol Bag functions as an organizer and a tool kit for the patrol officer. Designed to be kept on a passenger seat, the Wingman keeps everything within easy reach and is ideal for any frequent traveler. It utilizes a special strap that fastens around the car seat and keeps gear and accessories stable and secure. On foot, the Wingman is a traditional messenger bag.⁹

For those looking to shop around, Streicher’s, Inc., is a retailer offering products from many companies in its brick-and-mortar and online storefronts. Founded in 1953, Streicher’s sells the top lines of duty gear and tactical products through its stores in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as well as online.¹⁰

Whether storing weapons, gear, or any of the other tools employed by law enforcement, secure and user-friendly storage is essential—these options and others like them allow officers and agencies to find the storage solutions that best fit their needs. ♦

Notes:
¹Kathy Scott (co-owner, Performance Custom Cabinets, LLC), telephone interview, October 28, 2015.
²Hank Scott (co-owner, Performance Custom Cabinets, LLC), telephone interview, October 28, 2015.
³Kathy Scott, telephone interview, October 28, 2015.
⁴Tuffy Security Products, http://www.tuffyproducts.com (accessed October 29, 2015).
⁵5.11 Tactical, http://www.511tactical.com (accessed October 31, 2015).
⁶Ibid.
⁷Santa Cruz Gun Locks, http://santacruzgunlocks.com (accessed November 1, 2015).
⁸Salsbury Industries, http://www.lockers.com (accessed October 29, 2015).
⁹5.11 Tactical.
¹⁰Streicher’s, Inc., http://www.streichers.com (accessed November 1, 2015).

Please cite as

Scott Harris, “Storage Solutions: More Than Meets the Eye,” Product Feature, The Police Chief 83 (January 2016): 48–49.