How many police carry a portable radio? How many use the extended microphone that attaches somewhere near their head in the epilate? How many police officers talk on the portable radio?
I think the answer will be everyone in patrol. My safety tip is how you talk or more correctly manipulate that radio. How many times have you seen an officer right handed or left handed reach across their body with their strong hand and key the microphone to talk, maybe even tilting their head toward the microphone side. They are completely vulnerable during this simple act because the following conditions exist:

1. They have moved their strong had away from their weapon.
2. Their weapon hand is now at their opposite shoulder.
3. A quick jump by an individual standing nearby may and can pin the officer’s arm across their neck.
4. Even if the above doesn’t happen. Their weapon is completely exposed. Unprotected by the gun hand.
5. The suspects/contact person and anyone within the immediate area KNOW they are talking on the radio.

The following is my version of a better way to operate and speak on the radio with the external wired microphone.

First the radio must have the operation button, key on the side of the radio. Most should have this feature as it allows the radio to be operated without the extended microphone in the plain clothes mode. The majority of radios are carried on the weak hand side. Drop your weak hand down to your radio and find the microphone button. Grip and hold the radio and key (activate) the microphone. You can talk while still looking forward. Condition 5 above does not exist.

You can even do this, key the microphone and not talk in “cop” radio talk. You can continue to talk normally pretending you are not broadcasting on the radio when in reality you are sending everything being said to your oncoming back up, if they are not already there, and what is being said by you and the individual is being recorded by dispatch. This is, if the situation has escalated into an impending confrontation or for any other reason.

Finally the following improved conditions exist.

1. You have your weak hand operating the radio. Your strong, gun hand is free to use your weapon and or guard it.
2. Your attention is still completely on the subject/incident etc.
3. If the individual moves toward you, your strong hand is free and you can still key the microphone as above, or use both hands as the situation dictates.
4. This method allows you to key (activate the radio) without broadcasting that you are talking on the radio.

I have found that this method works well for me. I have used it to talk on the radio without the suspect being aware. And finally an added safety issue is being secure and using the ear bud also. But that is another tip.