 Belt suspenders allow the wearer to move a portion of the weight of the belt onto the shoulders, reducing the weight imposed on the lower back.This also means that the belt does not have to be worn as tightly, cutting down on pressure exerted on the stomach and waist area.However, there are also safety concerns over suspenders, as they can be used against the officer in the event of a struggle, but newer versions such as "break off" act like a clip-on tie when pulled, reducing the risk of any injury to the officer.