Juice KF4 appropriate for police

[Rico-2]

Reedy: Any leatherman multitools that need repair/replacement are done through the normal warranty process, the organisation doesn't have any input on it.

Rico-2: How often is a police multi tool (OHT or Wave) sent in for repair to Leatherman on average? Could you estimate that? Would Leatherman object if that would be yearly, for the warranty period of 25 years?

Reed: Part of the uniform includes an overt molle vest, which allows holsters/pouches to be added as required.

Rico-2: Is the police winter coat always worn over the MOLLE vest, for quick deployment?

Reed: About 80% of officers I know carry a multitool.

Rico-2 Because the remaining 20% find the Wave too heavy? IMO, the remaining 20% should at least carry a mini multi tool, like for example the Leatherman Squirt PS4, or the light weight orange Skeletool RX rescue multi tool.

Reed: As for the comment regarding the different sized LM wave for different sized people, I personally don't think this required. For example we wouldn't provide lighter handcuffs or batons for smaller officers. That's just my thought anyway.

Rico-2 Personally I favor expandable batons in three sizes for police officers, depending on their body size, function and mission.

Reed: I suppose officers in England don't routinely carry as much equipment as our colleagues in America inc. firearms, ammunition,  taser etc.

Rico-2: Your English collegues don't wear tasers?

[yud]

I see SOG as more likely to work with someone and they already allow the user to trade out tools.

Can all SOG-multi tools be easily repaired by customers themselves? By replacing the integrated tools for spare parts, including the vulnerable Philips screw-driver?

Not all SOG tools but the PL PT and PPP yes that is part of the charm and the others as far as I know the other aside from the power duo have parts they are user replaceable. 

[Rico-2]

Not all SOG tools but the PL PT and PPP yes that is part of the charm and the others as far as I know the other aside from the power duo have parts they are user replaceable.

Thanks. Do you know a weblink to that information?

[Reedy]

Reedy: Any leatherman multitools that need repair/replacement are done through the normal warranty process, the organisation doesn't have any input on it.

Rico-2: How often is a police multi tool (OHT or Wave) sent in for repair to Leatherman on average? Could you estimate that? Would Leatherman object if that would be yearly, for the warranty period of 25 years?

Reed: Part of the uniform includes an overt molle vest, which allows holsters/pouches to be added as required.

Rico-2: Is the police winter coat always worn over the MOLLE vest, for quick deployment?

Reed: About 80% of officers I know carry a multitool.

Rico-2 Because the remaining 20% find the Wave too heavy? IMO, the remaining 20% should at least carry a mini multi tool, like for example the Leatherman Squirt PS4, or the light weight orange Skeletool RX rescue multi tool.

Reed: As for the comment regarding the different sized LM wave for different sized people, I personally don't think this required. For example we wouldn't provide lighter handcuffs or batons for smaller officers. That's just my thought anyway.

Rico-2 Personally I favor expandable batons in three sizes for police officers, depending on their body size, function and mission.

Reed: I suppose officers in England don't routinely carry as much equipment as our colleagues in America inc. firearms, ammunition,  taser etc.

Rico-2: Your English collegues don't wear tasers?

unfortunately I have no idea how many tools go back for repair, or why some staff don't carry multi tools. It's just not something that's ever been discussed.

The other uniform/equipment questions do see to be going off topic.

[yud]

Not all SOG tools but the PL PT and PPP yes that is part of the charm and the others as far as I know the other aside from the power duo have parts they are user replaceable.

Thanks. Do you know a weblink to that information?

http://www.sogknives.com/type/multi-tools/pocket-powerplier.html
http://www.sogknives.com/type/multi-tools/paratool.html

[Rico-2]

unfortunately I have no idea how many tools go back for repair, or why some staff don't carry multi tools. It's just not something that's ever been discussed.

Officers should be obliged to carry at least a mini multi tool IMO, if they go on patrol.

It might be effective if officers are given the option, to choose from a short-list of five multi tools in different weight classes and tool combinations. Then every officer can choose according to his or her personal muscle strength, preferences and job tasks, after being well informed via a special website, to make that choice wisely.

[Aloha]

unfortunately I have no idea how many tools go back for repair, or why some staff don't carry multi tools. It's just not something that's ever been discussed.

Officers should be obliged to carry at least a mini multi tool IMO, if they go on patrol.

It might be effective if officers are given the option, to choose from a short-list of five multi tools in different weight classes and tool combinations. Then every officer can choose according to his or her personal muscle strength, preferences and job tasks, after being well informed via a special website to make that choice wisely.

This is the website you speak of   

[Rico-2]

This is the website you speak of

This information should be tailor-made, practically and professionally applied, reliable, clear and compact. So each officer can make a well informed decision about his multi tool choice within one hour. Schedules are busy. Time is money. 

[derekmac]

Easier to make a choice if you can actually handle the tools.  With MT's, how they look on paper isn't always how they are in hand. 

[Rico-2]

Easier to make a choice if you can actually handle the tools.  With MT's, how they look on paper isn't always how they are in hand.

You are so right, and hand sizes differ. So officers should also handle the multi tools, while watching the information website and demonstration video's on internet.       

[Grant Lamontagne]

Why did Leatherman discontinue a tool that was ideal for police use?

My guess would be that not enough cops (or anyone else) were buying them.  If there was any money in it, I am sure Leatherman, Gerber, SOG, CRKT and Victorinox would be trying to make multitools that incorporated rainbow wigs and a marker for writing John 3:16 on everything.  Some tools are just not that popular, and it doesn't make any sense whatsoever to continue to put effort into a product that isn't selling.

Def

[Etherealicer]

I'm curious about police and tool use, especially things like wood saw. Here is my premise:
Country Cop, operates in a larger area and will mostly patrol with his car (and hopefully has some real tools in his car)
City Cop, what would he use a wood-saw on?

What does a cop use a metal file/saw for? Screwdrivers? Pliers?
If he needs trauma shears he also needs a decent FAK (or else he can use a general purpose blunt-tipped serrated blade).

How often are those tools needed?
Are those emergencies? If not then there is no need to carry it on person.
Also, cops patrol in teams (here it's teams of 2-4), if weight is such a concern wouldn't it make sense to distribute load between them?

[Fortytwo]

I'm curious about police and tool use, especially things like wood saw. Here is my premise:
Country Cop, operates in a larger area and will mostly patrol with his car (and hopefully has some real tools in his car)
City Cop, what would he use a wood-saw on?

What does a cop use a metal file/saw for? Screwdrivers? Pliers?
If he needs trauma shears he also needs a decent FAK (or else he can use a general purpose blunt-tipped serrated blade).

How often are those tools needed?
Are those emergencies? If not then there is no need to carry it on person.
Also, cops patrol in teams (here it's teams of 2-4), if weight is such a concern wouldn't it make sense to distribute load between them?

+1, the more I think about it the more sensible the Skeletool RX looks.

[Rico-2]

If he needs trauma shears he also needs a decent FAK (or else he can use a general purpose blunt-tipped serrated blade).

Trauma shears may be needed, if the patient has a fractured limb that is bleeding. If the limb is not broken, a sharp knife can be used to cut clothing. The knife can also be used to cut emergency bandages from clothing, in case of heavy bleeding.

[Poncho65]

unfortunately I have no idea how many tools go back for repair, or why some staff don't carry multi tools. It's just not something that's ever been discussed.

Officers should be obliged to carry at least a mini multi tool IMO, if they go on patrol.

It might be effective if officers are given the option, to choose from a short-list of five multi tools in different weight classes and tool combinations. Then every officer can choose according to his or her personal muscle strength, preferences and job tasks, after being well informed via a special website to make that choice wisely.

This is the website you speak of   

You are not probably gonna find a more MT oriented website elsewhere.

 

This is the website you speak of

This information should be tailor-made, practically and professionally applied, reliable, clear and compact. So each officer can make a well informed decision about his multi tool choice within one hour. Schedules are busy. Time is money. 

This is a job for some bureaucrat to do   We are mostly collectors and users not (it looks good on paper people) This is as straight forward of a place with info on MTs as you are gonna find period If you find one better I would like a link so I could go there and learn

[Rico-2]

I'm curious about police and tool use, especially things like wood saw. Here is my premise:
Country Cop, operates in a larger area and will mostly patrol with his car (and hopefully has some real tools in his car). City Cop, what would he use a wood-saw on? What does a cop use a metal file/saw for? Screwdrivers? Pliers?

Police officers need tools for rescue, emergency repairs and disaster help. Wire cutters are sometimes needed to cut a fence. A wood saw can be used to quickly improvise a stretcher, or a lever, splint, shelter, baton, ladder, fire, cattle gate repair, etc, etc... Or to open a wooden roof, to free trapped flood victims.

How often are those tools needed? Are those emergencies? If not then there is no need to carry it on person.

Sometimes seconds count. And it is often faster to use tools that are carried on the body, than to walk to the patrol car or motor bike. And some officers patrol on bike or on foot.

For disaster help, officers should have another multi tool in their vehicles, that is much heavier and more extensive than their multi tool for daily carry.

Also, cops patrol in teams (here it's teams of 2-4), if weight is such a concern wouldn't it make sense to distribute load between them?

Interesting. That would be complicate to schedule.
But it can be done with taser carry.

[Rico-2]

This is a job for some bureaucrat to do

This topic can support decision makers on the issue of police multi-tools.

[Poncho65]

This is a job for some bureaucrat to do

This topic can support decision makers on the issue of police multi-tools.

Then the entire Juice series shouldn't be offered because if I was depending on a tool for my job I wouldn't want to rely on those pliers. Don't get me wring the Juice are great for light use . The Wave ( if LM was the only choice) would be my pick out of all the rest as it is probably the most well rounded MT in their lineup at the moment Weight can be trimmed off other places if it is that big of a deal

[yud]

I'm curious about police and tool use, especially things like wood saw. Here is my premise:
Country Cop, operates in a larger area and will mostly patrol with his car (and hopefully has some real tools in his car). City Cop, what would he use a wood-saw on? What does a cop use a metal file/saw for? Screwdrivers? Pliers?

Police officers need tools for rescue, emergency repairs and disaster help. Wire cutters are sometimes needed to cut a fence. A wood saw can be used to quickly improvise a stretcher, or a lever, splint, shelter, baton, ladder, fire, cattle gate repair, etc, etc... Or to open a wooden roof, to free trapped flood victims.

Surely you jest.   I have a suggestion go out and get any MT with a saw and a four foot by four foot sheet of plywood. And make a hole that you can crawl through with only the tools on the MT and starting in the middle.  Then tell us your thoughts.

[Poncho65]

I'm curious about police and tool use, especially things like wood saw. Here is my premise:
Country Cop, operates in a larger area and will mostly patrol with his car (and hopefully has some real tools in his car). City Cop, what would he use a wood-saw on? What does a cop use a metal file/saw for? Screwdrivers? Pliers?

Police officers need tools for rescue, emergency repairs and disaster help. Wire cutters are sometimes needed to cut a fence. A wood saw can be used to quickly improvise a stretcher, or a lever, splint, shelter, baton, ladder, fire, cattle gate repair, etc, etc... Or to open a wooden roof, to free trapped flood victims.

Surely you jest.   I have a suggestion go out and get any MT with a saw and a four foot by four foot sheet of plywood. And make a hole that you can crawl through with only the tools on the MT and starting in the middle.  Then tell us your thoughts.

I wouldn't even want to try cutting a hole big enough for me to crawl through with a reg sized carpenters saw let alone a MT saw

[Rico-2]

go out and get any MT with a saw and a four foot by four foot sheet of plywood. And make a hole that you can crawl through with only the tools on the MT and starting in the middle.  Then tell us your thoughts.

If the roof is one inch thick plywood and you got a multi-tool wood-saw and safety gloves. Then you can saw a length of one inch in 3 minutes, including one minute rest.

After a few minutes fresh air comes in, and clean drinking water can be poored in the attick, followed by a mylar blanket.

A man-hole is 20 x 20 inch. So you should saw 80 inch. 80 inch times 3 minutes takes 240 minutes, or four hours. If four rescuers work together with four multi-tools, it takes one hour. Worthwhile for saving lives.

If a full-sized tree-saw, rescue-axe and crow-bar are available, that would be preferable of course. They are in police cars. Multi-tools are carried on the duty belt or utility-vest. And chain-saws are scarse in disasters.

[yud]

go out and get any MT with a saw and a four foot by four foot sheet of plywood. And make a hole that you can crawl through with only the tools on the MT and starting in the middle.  Then tell us your thoughts.

If the roof is one inch thick plywood and you got a multi-tool wood-saw and safety gloves. Then you can saw a length of one inch in 3 minutes, including one minute rest.

After a few minutes fresh air comes in, and clean drinking water can be poored in the attick, followed by a mylar blanket.

A man-hole is 20 x 20 inch. So you should saw 80 inch. 80 inch times 3 minutes takes 240 minutes, or four hours. If four rescuers work together with four multi-tools, it takes one hour. Worthwhile for saving lives.

If a full-sized tree-saw, rescue-axe and crow-bar are available, that would be preferable of course. They are in police cars. Multi-tools are carried on the duty belt or utility-vest. And chain-saws are scarse in disasters.

You have forgotten one rather important point, MT saws can't stab into a piece of wood and I don't know of an awl saw combo that can do the job. 

Also your calculations don't really work in real life, first off I would be willing to bet different woods saw at different paces.  Your four hours do not take into account growing fatigue,  even if each cuts one inch and takes three inches off over time they are going to get tried.  Also you seem to expect these saws to see endless service in a disaster, how many strokes before before the blade dulls? Are you expecting them to carry stones around to sharpen the saws?  And due to there short length MT saws with dull faster and require more movement.

Also did you really suggest pouring pouring water into a flood victims house?

[Rico-2]

You have forgotten one rather important point, MT saws can't stab into a piece of wood and I don't know of an awl saw combo that can do the job.

 

This can easily be done with an awl in a few minutes. With a knife it will take longer.

Your four hours do not take into account growing fatigue, even if each cuts one inch and takes three inches off over time they are going to get tired.

 

They will definitely get tired. So officers shouldn't carry multi-tools? They can use them for countless other problems in their daily work and all types of disasters.

Also you seem to expect these saws to see endless service in a disaster, how many strokes before before the blade dulls?

 

That willl be limited indeed, and hands will blister, even with gloves. Let's hope the fire brigade or army arrives in time. It would be wise, if there would be a multi-tool, inflatable boat, and dedicated survival-kit in every attick in flood prone regions. 

Flood preparedness tips:
http://mema.maryland.gov/Pages/floodProneZones.aspx

Are you expecting them to carry stones around to sharpen the saws?

No, it might be done with a thin iron file. There should be a small sharpening stone in the vehicle for the blade.

And due to there short length MT saws will dull faster and require more movement.

True. It's a last resort solution, if there are no better tools available, and if time is scarse.

Also did you really suggest pouring water into a flood victims house?

Only if they are dehydrated. Flood water is often dangerously contaminated with micro-organisms like bacteria.

[yud]

I am just trying to point out that you seem to be putting far too much faith in the multitool as the answer to all problems. 

Honestly most of the stuff that can be sawed quickly with a MT saw when seconds count should probably be snapped.  Also from your list of tasks, it would make more sense to have police carry a tomahawk/hatchet, soldier, and pliers with good wire cutters.

[Etherealicer]

I'm curious about police and tool use, especially things like wood saw. Here is my premise:
Country Cop, operates in a larger area and will mostly patrol with his car (and hopefully has some real tools in his car). City Cop, what would he use a wood-saw on? What does a cop use a metal file/saw for? Screwdrivers? Pliers?

Police officers need tools for rescue, emergency repairs and disaster help. Wire cutters are sometimes needed to cut a fence. A wood saw can be used to quickly improvise a stretcher, or a lever, splint, shelter, baton, ladder, fire, cattle gate repair, etc, etc... Or to open a wooden roof, to free trapped flood victims.

Disaster aid: I understand that, but you know when a disaster has hit and only need to pack for that on those days. In fact, most of the examples above I can only imagine to come into play after a catastrophe, so you will only need it during those days. Get a backpack for those days, pack a woodsaw, metal saw and a decent wire-cutter.

Stretcher: I have to ask, give me a scenario where that comes into play. Also, if you need a stretcher you need first some serious first aid kit... and where do you go with a guy on the stretcher, when obviously no ambulance can come? without vehicle (else you can use gear from your car)?
Lever: User your baton, also if you can find a decent piece of wood you are either in the countryside (meaning you did not walk there) or a catastrophe has happened (and you know it).
Splint: User your baton, or your pen or if you really want do make one, your knife should cope, you don't need a 2 by 4.
Fire & Shelter: Why on earth would you need a fire? You are on duty and get tired... so you build an emergency shelter, make a fire, open a can of beans with your micro can-opener? Then take a nap?
Baton: you are already carrying a baton, why would you need a second one?
Ladder: What for exactly? I cannot see any scenario where building a ladder would be faster than getting one.
Cattle gate repair: How did you get to the cattle gate? I mean obviously we are taking country side, meaning long distances, why did you walk there and not bring your 4x4 which has some real tools in the back.
Open a woodroof: Never heard of the police doing this, certainly not with hand-tools. Firefighters do this (for other reasons though) but then they bring heavy machinery. Also How did you get to the house (and on the roof) if the water is so high that people have to leave through the roof? That sounds like something the guys from Sharknado would cook up.

[pfrsantos]

I currently work for the police in England, and from my experience everyone who carries a multitool usually carries a leatherman wave, or a OHT.

Thx. Do you know if consumers can replace the tools themselves of the Wave, if they are worn out? Like the wood saw and metal file.

And being in LE, do you know if your collegues feel somewhat dragged by the heavy Wave or Leatherman OHT, if running and climbing in pursuit?

And what estimated percentage of your collegues do wear a multi tool permanently?

The Wave has great functionality and quality, so I suggest Leatherman should make it in three sizes. All three should have the Leatherman flat bit-driver in standard size.

The smallest Wave would fit small police officers, small women, small Asians, backpackers, climbers, preppers with a Bug Out Bag, business-men in suits, etc.

Especially in a Bug Out Bag (backpack) every ounce counts. And office people in a suit can be struck by disaster as well, like a hurricane, flood, civil unrest, explosion, heavy snowfall, etc. Disaster preparation and police equipment could be the leading themes in Leatherman's marketing of such a small leight-weight multi tool.

Ok, so we got:

L - Police officers
M - Small police officers
S - Small women
XS - Small Asians

I think we're gonna need yet another size:

Show content

 

[Rico-2]

Disaster aid: I understand that, but you know when a disaster has hit and only need to pack for that on those days. In fact, most of the examples above I can only imagine to come into play after a catastrophe, so you will only need it during those days. Get a backpack for those days, pack a woodsaw, metal saw and a decent wire-cutter.

That would be a good idea. But if an officer is first responder at a disaster or serious accident, he may be without a patrol car close by. He may patrol on foot or on a bike, or may be at some distance from his car. 

And how much does the wood saw add in weight to the multitool? I guess not more than just a half ounce. But also with a serrated blade you can saw thin wood. So that is a consideration to save weight. 

Stretcher: I have to ask, give me a scenario where that comes into play. Also, if you need a stretcher you need first some serious first aid kit... and where do you go with a guy on the stretcher, when obviously no ambulance can come? without vehicle (else you can use gear from your car)?

Often a wounded person should not be transported before medical help arrives. But sometimes victims need to be brought to a safe place out of a dangerous situation, like traffic, cold, wet, fire, smoke, chemical spill, violence, threat, riot, explosion danger, etc. Medical help can arrive later.   
   

Lever: User your baton, also if you can find a decent piece of wood you are either in the countryside (meaning you did not walk there) or a catastrophe has happened (and you know it).

Sometimes there is no baton, or you may need more levers for more helpers.

Splint: User your baton, or your pen or if you really want do make one, your knife should cope, you don't need a 2 by 4.

With a wood-saw you can make more splints for more broken limbs and more victims, and you can do so much more with it. The baton would stay available for self defence in stead of being transported to a hospital with the patient.

You could also use a wood saw and an awl and some planks and screws found on the spot, to close a house that is broken in, etc. There are countless more applications.

Fire & Shelter: Why on earth would you need a fire? You are on duty and get tired... so you build an emergency shelter, make a fire, open a can of beans with your micro can-opener? Then take a nap?

For example with a fire, you can heat up people that are hypothermic, waiting for medical help. Or a police officer might get an accident in a remote location and lose radio contact and get cold. 

Baton: you are already carrying a baton, why would you need a second one?

Not all officers carry a baton all the time.

Cattle gate repair: How did you get to the cattle gate? I mean obviously we are taking country side, meaning long distances, why did you walk there and not bring your 4x4 which has some real tools in the back.

Sometimes it is faster to improvise on the spot, than to walk five minutes to your car and five minutes back. Not all patrol cars are 4wd.

Open a woodroof: Never heard of the police doing this, certainly not with hand-tools. Firefighters do this (for other reasons though) but then they bring heavy machinery.

Also How did you get to the house (and on the roof) if the water is so high that people have to leave through the roof? That sounds like something the guys from Sharknado would cook up.

You could get there with a floating device like a boat. Or swimming from a levy nearby.

I mentioned just a few of countless possible uses of a wood-saw in emergencies. They may all be unlikely, but since there are millions of possibilities for use, it still is useful to carry a small wood-saw in a police multitool IMO.

But one could argue that saving half an ounce or less is more important for the multitool that is carried on the body. And there should also be two heavy multitools in the patrol car, that should have a decent wood-saw anyway.

[Etherealicer]

Again, most of your situations are not "every day", they are foreseeable and you can gear up for them (more details below). The point is that not every cop has the same gear, it should be geared towards the region he is patrolling.

Disaster aid: I understand that, but you know when a disaster has hit and only need to pack for that on those days. In fact, most of the examples above I can only imagine to come into play after a catastrophe, so you will only need it during those days. Get a backpack for those days, pack a woodsaw, metal saw and a decent wire-cutter.

That would be a good idea. But if an officer is first responder at a disaster or serious accident, he may be without a patrol car close by. He may patrol on foot or on a bike, or may be at some distance from his car. 

And how much does the wood saw add in weight to the multitool? I guess not more than just a half ounce. But also with a serrated blade you can saw thin wood. So that is a consideration to save weight.

Patrolling on foot, he is obviously in a urban place, never seen an accident where a woodsaw would have been helpful (especially not such a tiny one).
What kind of disaster are we talking about, a house on fire? A house crumbling down? The fireman arriving half an hour later will be through the 2 by 4 before you.

Stretcher: I have to ask, give me a scenario where that comes into play. Also, if you need a stretcher you need first some serious first aid kit... and where do you go with a guy on the stretcher, when obviously no ambulance can come? without vehicle (else you can use gear from your car)?

Often a wounded person should not be transported before medical help arrives. But sometimes victims need to be brought to a safe place out of a dangerous situation, like traffic, cold, wet, fire, smoke, chemical spill, violence, threat, riot, explosion danger, etc. Medical help can arrive later.

How fast do you think you can build a stretcher from nothing (get some decent beam, crossbeam, something to line it with, and of course something to put everything together.).
If the situation is that desperate, simply grab the guy and carry him off.
Knowing how to build a stretcher is a valuable skill if you are hiking in a remote area, but that is no place a cop ever will patrol.

 

Lever: User your baton, also if you can find a decent piece of wood you are either in the countryside (meaning you did not walk there) or a catastrophe has happened (and you know it).

Sometimes there is no baton, or you may need more levers for more helpers.

I bet you if you need your tiny saw to get a larger lever you will be faster to walk to your car and get a prybar.

Splint: User your baton, or your pen or if you really want do make one, your knife should cope, you don't need a 2 by 4.

With a wood-saw you can make more splints for more broken limbs and more victims, and you can do so much more with it. The baton would stay available for self defence in stead of being transported to a hospital with the patient.

You could also use a wood saw and an awl and some planks and screws found on the spot, to close a house that is broken in, etc. There are countless more applications.

Oh great, now we have a collapsed home for people with glass-bone disease and all they send is one man on foot?
Again it must be urban or else the cop would not be on foot. Where does he get wood? From that hazel-tree, he can simply break the branches off.
Again, making a splint is an extremely useful skill if you go hiking in remote areas, especially if you have to move afterwards. It is nothing that has to be done quick.

Fire & Shelter: Why on earth would you need a fire? You are on duty and get tired... so you build an emergency shelter, make a fire, open a can of beans with your micro can-opener? Then take a nap?

For example with a fire, you can heat up people that are hypothermic, waiting for medical help. Or a police officer might get an accident in a remote location and lose radio contact and get cold.

Remote location and on foot does not go together. You are on foot, you are in a urban area? So, why not just knock on a door and ask if the hypodermic person can come inside, or at least get a blanket

Baton: you are already carrying a baton, why would you need a second one?

Not all officers carry a baton all the time.

Probably, because they don't need one.

Cattle gate repair: How did you get to the cattle gate? I mean obviously we are taking country side, meaning long distances, why did you walk there and not bring your 4x4 which has some real tools in the back.

Sometimes it is faster to improvise on the spot, than to walk five minutes to your car and five minutes back. Not all patrol cars are 4wd.

911 what is your emergency? We have a broken cattle-gate... No problem we have a foot-patrolman in the general area
No-one calls the police to fix a gate and if they do, the police would simply call the farmer. Of course if you happen upon something like this it is the decent thing to do to fix it as good as you can but there is really no reason to plan for that.
Btw, easiest solution: wear a para-cord bracelet.

Open a woodroof: Never heard of the police doing this, certainly not with hand-tools. Firefighters do this (for other reasons though) but then they bring heavy machinery.

Also How did you get to the house (and on the roof) if the water is so high that people have to leave through the roof? That sounds like something the guys from Sharknado would cook up.

You could get there with a floating device like a boat. Or swimming from a levy nearby.

I mentioned just a few of countless possible uses of a wood-saw in emergencies. They may all be unlikely, but since there are millions of possibilities for use, it still is useful to carry a small wood-saw in a police multitool IMO.

But one could argue that saving half an ounce or less is more important for the multitool that is carried on the body. And there should also be two heavy multitools in the patrol car, that should have a decent wood-saw anyway.

You are still wearing a bullet-proof west, aren't you?
Did it ever occur to you that you could change the gear before you get in a boat. You might also get rid of your bullet-proof west, baton, cuffs, heavy combat boots (anything that does not go well with swimming). Also, how do you know there are people in that particular house?
Btw, I advice: More rope and a waterproof flashlight. get those people out of a window.

[Rico-2]

In an emergency a wood saw can also be used to cut thick plastics, tube, leather, rubber, aluminum, lead, bituminous roofing, crates, canisters, bone, card-board, boxes, vegetables, reed, meat, coco-nuts, ceramics, soft stone, ice, bark, cork, etc.

It can be used to open something, or to shorten, separate, make markings, make notches, slice, crumble, unravel, clean, sample, enter, exit, rescue, escape, etc, etc.

It can also be used as a wood file, scraper, screw-driver, grabbing-hook, etc. It would be exhausting to mention the millions of possible uses of a wood saw on a multi-tool.

If police officers should have a 0.3 ounce wood-saw in the multi-tool on their body or not, is arguable and subjective. It may also depend on personal preference, region, climate, body-size, task, mission, terrain, degree of urbanisation, available man-power and vehicles, threats, wildlife, and other circumstances.

If a wood-saw is not prefered (for weight-saving), for example a Leatherman Skeletool RX might be carried by police officers.

[yud]

  (cattle gate repair)

I say we get rid of the saw, no telling how the .3 oz will effect a small Asian woman, not that they know how to use it (reference to other thread). 

Also I have never heard of anyone sawing through vegetables, although this officer may of snapped off his knife blade and needs to feed the glass bone people (who have both arms splinted) before he repairs their cattle gate.  Then on his honey do list is to swim to flood victims and pour water into their house.

These threads just keep getting better.