Opportunist thieves who found the front door to Newent police station in Gloucestershire unlocked made off with items including a patrol car key.
Shane Bowkett, 22, and Matthew Goodchild, 21, admitted burglary at Gloucester magistrates' court and were given a 12 month conditional discharge.
They went to the station at 0400 GMT on 23 August after spending the night drinking in a local pub.
The stolen equipment, including police caps and stab vests, was recovered.
Security reviewed
The two men were also ordered to pay £30 each in costs.
They had gone to the police station because they thought Goodchild's brother had been arrested and was being held there.
Gloucestershire Police said there was a fault with the door to the police station which meant that it could not be locked properly.
A spokesman said: "On this occasion the station had been left insecure due to a fault with the door and the offenders gained access into the building.
"We have now reviewed the security of this station and will be making sure that an incident like this doesn't happen again."
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