Best Watch for Law Enforcement in 2023

Whether you’re a police officer or looking for a gift for someone who works in law enforcement, a tactical watch would definitely be a great idea. 

There’s one thing to keep in mind, though; not all watches are suitable for the heavy-duty tasks that police officers usually go through. That’s exactly why we’ve crafted this guide to help you pick the best watch for law enforcement. So, let’s get right into it!

PRODUCT	FEATURES	LATEST PRICE
1. Garmin Tactix Charlie	Rugged design Comes with tactical features Preloaded TOPO mapping Night vision Heart rate monitoring	Check Price
2. Suunto Core	30-meter water-resistant Activity and sleep tracking Has a compass, an altimeter, and a barometer 12-month battery	Check Price
3. Casio G-Shock DW6900BB-1	Stealthy all-black design Excellent accuracy Has a countdown timer Shock and water-resistant Long-lasting batteries	Check Price
4. Casio G-Shock Mudmaster	Mud, shock, and vibration resistant Water-resistant to up to 200 meters Two-year battery lifetime Has a barometer and an altimeter Equipped with a compass and a compass readout	Check Price
5. Samsung Galaxy Watch	AMOLED display with great legibility Good battery life Built-in GPS 5ATM water-resistant Has a compass	Check Price
6. Smith & Wesson SWW-455P Police Watch	Electronic back-glow Stainless steel rotating bezel with durable nylon band Scratch-resistant coating Water-resistant up to 30 meters	Check Price
7. Seiko Men’s Year-Round Acciaio INOX	Automatic movement Sturdy rubber strap 100-meter water-resistant Rotating bezel countdown timer Stylish design	Check Price
8. Casio Women’s Baby G Quartz Watch	Shock-resistant design 200-meter water-resistant Has a stopwatch and a countdown timer Equipped with an electro-luminescent backlight Long-lasting battery	Check Price
9. Ladies’ Casio G-Shock S-Series G-Squad	Shock-resistant design Has a phone finder function Good battery Great legibility 200-meter water-resistant	Check Price

Law Enforcement Watch Reeviews

1. Garmin Tactix Charlie – Best Overall

The Garmin Tactix Charlie has all the bells and whistles you could need in a law enforcement watch.

For starters, it flaunts a sharp 1.2” with outstanding sunlight readability. Additionally, it has a night vision mode, so you can use it in dark environments without affecting your stealth.

The rugged design incorporates a carbon-coated titanium bezel and black titanium back cover for unmatched durability and shock resistance.

It also flaunts a wide range of tactical features that include dual-position GPS formatting, Jumpmaster, and waypoint projection. What’s more, it comes preloaded with TOPO mapping, in addition to routable map navigation.

The Tactix Charlie’s battery can last for 12 days in smartwatch mode, which is quite impressive. You can also use it for up to 20 hours with GPS enabled all the time.

It’s also worth mentioning that the Tactix Charlie has a heart-rate monitor. 

Bottom Line

With a wide range of tactical functions and a battle-ready design, the Garmin Tactix Charlie is easily one of the best tactical watches for police officers.

2. Suunto Core – Runner Up

The Suunto Core sports a beastly design that’s built to last. You can either get it in a stainless steel or composite case, but we’d recommend the composite case as it’s not reflective.

Moreover, it has a compass, an altimeter, a barometer, and a storm alarm, ensuring that your survival missions are no big deal. It can even track your activity and sleep patterns, ensuring that your health and fitness are at their highest levels.

Additionally, the Suunto Core is water-resistant to up to 30 meters, which means that you can go for a swim without worrying about water damage. It also has a weather trend indicator.

The display on this watch is nothing fancy, but you can easily read it at all times of the day, which is all that matters in a police watch.

As for the battery, it should easily serve you well for at least 12 months before it needs replacement. 

Bottom Line

The Suunto Core ticks many of our boxes as a police watch, with features like a compass, a non-reflective design, and water resistance.

3. Casio G-Shock DW6900BB-1 – Best Design

The Casio G-Shock DW6900BB-1 features a sleek, all-black design that’ll keep you under cover. It’s shock-resistant, so it can take a few bumps and hits without breaking.

Additionally, the G-Shock is water-resistant to up to 200 meters, ensuring that it stays intact whenever you have to swim in the middle of a mission.

It’s also equipped with a multi-function alarm, a countdown timer, and a 1/100 second stopwatch. And at an accuracy level of +/- 15 seconds per month, the Casio G-Shock will rarely need to be adjusted.

The batteries inside the Casio G-Shock are designed to work at optimum condition for up to 2 years, so you don’t have to worry about replacements any time soon. Other features include an hourly time signal and an auto calendar.

Bottom Line

The Casio G-Shock DW6900BB-1 makes a great police watch thanks to its stealthy, shock-resistant design. 

4. Casio G-Shock Mudmaster – Best Durable

The Casio G-Shock Mudmaster features a shock and vibration resistant design that makes it suitable for all sorts of police work. It can also be used in temperatures as low as 14°F.

The watch is designed to be used in muddy environments. Additionally, the Mudmaster is equipped with a built-in compass for navigation. There’s a compass-bearing readout, which makes it easier for you to determine the right direction. You also get a triple sensor for determining compass bearing.

On top of that, the watch has a built-in barometer that you can use to predict weather fluctuations and get prepared. It’s also equipped with an altimeter for identifying height and depth differences.

The battery will only need to be replaced once every 2 years, so no need to worry about that. It’s also worth noting that the Mudmaster is water-resistant to up to 200 meters, which is at least 4x more than what standard watches offer.

Bottom Line

The Casio G-Shock Mudmaster is a heavy-duty tactical watch that can be used in harsh environments without even getting scratched.

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5. Samsung Galaxy Watch – Best Smartwatch 

The Original Samsung Galaxy Watch can make an excellent smartwatch for law enforcement with a wide array of smart features.

It features a built-in GPS sensor that provides you with directions and navigation. It also has a compass, which can be quite handy when you want to disable GPS and go into full stealth mode.

The Galaxy Watch isn’t rugged, but it’s by no means a weak watch. It can definitely withstand some beating, but you should still be a little careful while using it.

On top of that, it has outstanding sunlight readability thanks to the sharp AMOLED display with its deep blacks and high contrast ratio. It’s also protected with Corning’s Gorilla Glass for maximum scratch resistance. 

Additionally, the Galaxy Watch is water-resistant with a rating of 5ATM, so you can take it with you on marine missions. 

As for battery life, it can last for up to 3-4 days, depending on your usage patterns. 

Bottom Line

If you’re looking for a tactical watch alternative that’s also good for day-to-day use, the Samsung Galaxy Watch would be an excellent pick. 

6. Smith & Wesson SWW-455P Police Watch – Best Legibility 

Designed specifically for heavy-duty use, the Smith & Wesson SWW-455P Police Watch sets the bar high with a rugged design and a multitude of useful features. 

For starters, it boasts an electronic back-glow that makes it easier for you to see the dial in dark environments. What’s more, the dial is protected with a scratch-resistant hardened mineral glass crystal to prevent scratches and dents.

The watch is equipped with a rotating bezel that enables you to track elapsed time. And with 3 hands, you can track it with utmost accuracy. 

The Nylon strap is durable and feels great on the wrist. It’ll hardly show any wear signs even if it gets wet frequently.

It’s also worth noting that this watch is water-resistant to up to 30 meters, which isn’t that impressive but should be enough most of the time. 

Bottom Line

With a sturdy design, an electronic back-glow, and an easy way to track elapsed time, the Smith & Wesson SWW-455P makes an excellent police watch. 

7. Seiko Men’s Year-Round Acciaio INOX – Best Diver Watch

Are you into diver watches? Then you should definitely check out the Seiko Men’s Year-Round Acciaio INOX watch. It features a unique blue design that makes it stand out from the crowd. 

What’s more, it has a rotating bezel that acts as a countdown timer, a feature that police officers would find quite handy. Plus, the luminous hands are easy to see at night. 

Additionally, the watch has a durable rubber strap that’ll last for years to come, even with heavy use. Not to mention, the INOX is waterproof to up to 100 meters, so you never have to worry about using this watch in the rain or when swimming. It also has a calendar function. 

Bottom Line

Despite lacking a considerable number of features, the Seiko Men’s Year-Round Acciaio INOX is still a very capable law enforcement watch with a rotating bezel and a durable rubber strap. 

8. Casio Women’s Baby G Quartz Watch – Best for Women

This one’s for the ladies! The Casio Baby G Quartz features a cool pink color while also maintaining a rugged and durable design. It’s shock-resistant and has an electro-luminescent backlight for maximum legibility.

Additionally, you can set your Baby G watch in 29 different time zones. It also displays the city code, and you can switch between 12-hour and 24-hour modes pretty easily.

The Casio Baby G is water-resistant to up to 200 meters; you can go for a swim anytime you want with it on your wrist. Other notable features encompass a stopwatch, a day counter, 5 independent alarms, and a countdown timer.

The Baby G’s battery can last anywhere from 2 to 6 years. In other words, you can forget about battery problems for at least a few years after buying it. 

Bottom Line

Casio Baby G Quartz is an excellent watch for female police officers. Its playful, shock-resistant design makes it a stylish yet functional choice. 

9. Ladies’ Casio G-Shock S-Series G-Squad – Best Alternative for Women

The Casio G-Shock GMAS130 is yet another watch that would serve female police officers pretty well. It’s packed with a ton of features like a stopwatch, 5 daily alarms, double LED Super Illuminator lights, a phone finder function, and hundreds of timezone options.

Just like other watches in the Casio G-Shock S-Series, this one is pretty rugged. It’s shock-resistant and has a water resistance rating of 200 meters. You can use this watch in harsh environments without worrying about it getting damaged. 

And while the color is almost all-black, there are a few pink elements in the dial to add a feminine touch to the design. 

The battery can last for 2-3 years, which is more than enough for most users. 

Bottom Line

If you’re a female police officer, the Casio G-Shock GMAS130 will make an excellent companion on your duty shifts. 

How to Pick the Right Law Enforcement Watch for Your Duty

Here are some of the factors that you need to keep in mind when shopping for a law enforcement watch:

Stealth 

A law enforcement watch shouldn’t be reflective to make it harder for enemies and outlaws to spot you. If you get a reflective watch, you’ll probably be asked to cover or take it off completely, so keep that in mind when looking for a watch.

Durability 

You don’t want to get a watch only for you to break it on your 2nd or 3rd mission. A law enforcement watch must be durable enough to withstand some abuse. 

Ideally, the watch should have a rugged shockproof design just to be on the safe side. The display must be covered with a protective coating, too. 

Regular Watch vs. Smartwatch

A law enforcement watch can either be a regular one or a smartwatch. Of course, a smartwatch offers more functions and features. You can also download lots of apps and even make calls. 

The downside is that you’ll need to charge it frequently since most of them won’t last you more than a few days on a single charge. Not to mention, smartwatches are never as rugged as regular heavy-duty ones. 

Regular watches, of course, have the advantage of long-lasting batteries and better shock resistance. Plus, they’re often cheaper than smartwatches, but that’s not always the case. 

Water Resistance 

As a police officer, you never know when you’ll have to swim to save somebody or catch a criminal. That’s why your watch must be water-resistant since you won’t likely care about taking it off in fast-paced moments. 

Not to mention, it can save you when inside the water as you could use it to call for support or even use the compass. 

Legibility 

As a police officer, you’ll probably use your watch in lots of different lighting conditions, which is why you need to make sure that its dial is viewable in all situations. Some watches have daytime and night modes for optimized viewability. 

If it’s a smartwatch, it’d be better if you pick one with an AMOLED display instead of an LCD one because AMOLED displays have a superior contrast ratio. 

Tactical Features

If you really want to up your game, consider getting a watch with tactical features like waypoint projection and dual-position GPS. These extras can be quite handy for police officers. 

Final Thoughts

That’s all for this roundup! These are some of the most promising law enforcement watches you can lay your hands on. If you’re still not sure which one to go for, we can help you decide more quickly.

The Garmin Tactix Charlie seems like a pretty solid choice for most police officers, thanks to its tactical features and heavy-duty design. This is probably the best watch for law enforcement.

On the other hand, if you’re looking for a super-rugged watch that can withstand anything you throw at it, the Casio G-Shock Mudmaster won’t let you down. It’s mud, shock, water, and vibration-resistant. 

Alternatively, you can go for the Samsung Galaxy Watch if you want a smartwatch with fancy features like apps, AMOLED display, and activity tracking.

Finally, consider getting the Casio Women’s Baby G Quartz if you’re a lady. Its strap (and color) is suitable for women’s wrists.

In the end, the choice is really a matter of personal preference, so take a few moments to think about which features would be more useful in day-to-day use and take it from there.

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