Torches

[Huey One Four]

Whats the current torche of choice in tour respective departments? is it still the ol maglite? comments?

Cheers
Rhys

[jnc36rcpd]

Well, it's been a while since I burned a heretic at the stake, but the torch I usually use is wooden, soaked with kerosine, and....oh, wait! Wrong torch. Sorry.

There's a growing trend toward smaller lights, best exemplified by the Streamlight Stinger and the Surefire. Some major agencies such as Philadelphia and Baltimore City have adopted the Stinger as an issue flashlight.

Many agencies opt for fullsize flashlights, with the smaller versions used for back-up lights. My department and the surrounding county agency endorse the flashlight as an impact weapon. Our DT instructor trains us to use the flashlight in the same manner as our expandable batons. Maybe my age is showing, but I find the fullsize flashlight my choice due to both convenience and its utility as an impact weapon.

There are a couple of new players on the flashlight scene. One is Pelican which makes various high-intensity polymer flashlights. The other is the Tigerlight, an extremely bright flashlight with a two ounce OC spray in the end cap.

The most significant trend is toward rechargable lights in both primary and back-up lights. Something to consider is the limited charge these batteries take. When the Big One hits and knocks out electricity (and the comm center and cell towers and so forth), we need to have back-up flashlights available. For less wide-spread disasters (fugitive pursuits, barricades, etc.), we need to have spare battery-sticks available in the command vehicle.

Sorry, Huey, I drifted a little astray from the question. What do you all carry? Can you use it as an impact weapon? Be safe.

[mdb23]

Our department allows us to carry whatever we want, and most seem to "want" the Streamlight Stinger. The Maglite is rarely seem at our department, due in part to the bulky size and awkwardness in handling.

It should also be mentioned that utilizing a torch as an impact weapon at our department will most likely entail your standing in line at the unemployment office.

mdb23

[Sharky]

We are issued both the Stinger and the non-rechargable mag-lite. We have the stinger for when we need a bright light and the non-rechargable mag-lite that we use for tracking at night as it is much easier to follow sign at night with the dimmer non-rechargable light.

[RogueExec]

Anybody still have their 6 D-Cell, combination club, crutch, measuring stick, window-breaker, suspect submission, and melon squisher-type MagLite?

------------------
"Forgive your enemies, but never forget their names."

[mdb23]

My partner carries one every day.

mdb23

P.S. You forgot to add "wife pleaser" to your description. LOL

[RogueExec]

Originally posted by mdb23:
My partner carries one every day.

mdb23

P.S. You forgot to add "wife pleaser" to your description. LOL

My bad........LOL

[Swat1]

Our patrol carries the Streamlight XL-20P and the Stinger as a backup, us detectives just get the stinger. It's all issued here.

Swat1*

[WS-G]

Originally posted by mdb23:
You forgot to add "wife pleaser" to your description.

"A policeman from Twickenham Junction
Whose member had long ceased to function
Deceived his poor wife
All the days of their life
With the dexterous use of his truncheon."

[Gunpoint]

We were issued rolled-up newspapers and a box of matches.

[grrlcop74]

Originally posted by mdb23:
P.S. You forgot to add "wife pleaser" to your description. LOL

And all this time I've been using the ol' expandable Asp....dammit....

Kristen

[Huey One Four]

jnc,
im not actully a cop, but we have friends who are and im planning to join myself when im older, hopefully later to be a dog handler or Eagle personell(chopper).
NZ Police use 4cell maglites, as do NZ Fire Service. my mates dad used to be in the fire police and they were told to use them as batons if it was really nessercery. oops, i mean use them strictly for illumination purposes http://www.specialoperations.com/ubboard/wink.gif

have a good one

Rhys

[ski]

Our department has an special agreement with NASA and the National Weather Service. Since the PD won't buy new flashlights (one charger in each car, but batteries have coroded thru the aluminum of the flashlight itself), we get free unlimited use of the moon on cloudless nights during off-peak hours. We are trained to use flashlights as impact weapons, but holding said flashlight will put your skin in direct contact with leaking recharable battery acid...Did I mention that my department was recently CALEA certified?

Ski

[jnc36rcpd]

CALEA accreditation is certainly the be-all and end-all for law enforcement agencies. I have no idea where our "emergency response kit" is currently, but I'm sure it will be updated for the CALEA Gestapo.

While the battery-operated lights are great for specialized purposes and for longer term use than the average street POlice usually needs, the rechargables are much brighter and less expensive.

I believe the Streamlight Stingers are all the rage for police issue. It reduces concern about cops using the flashlight as a baton and it's certainly bright enough (unlike many command staff). Be safe.

[ski]

Yep, I am sure CALEA will bring a good pay raise for the Chief and enhance his abilities to get an even better paying job. It will not, however, give ME a new car, a new pistol, new radios, new flashlights, or a significant pay raise.
I have never quite seen anything like that CALEA acreditation process...what a scam.

Ski