New LAPD flashlights are too small to be used as weapons (Disarm Police /Empower Criminals update)

KESQ-3 TV / AP ^ | March 31, 2007

[btcusn]

For the civilians, a small, super bright, tactical flashlight, and a good knife can accomplish a lot in an unplanned nighttime encounter.
For this "civilian" a Kimber Compact would stand in for a knife.
And yes, I detest the police calling someone a civilian. My first question to the cop is which branch of the military are you serving in?
Cops seperating themselve from the population like that makes for a cop vs civilian situation that we don't need. How about us vs criminals.
Jack

[ansel12]

I used civilian for short hand, I'm not a cop, and I share your view on the cop usage of the word, I just meant to imply those of us that don't have a gun on us.

My real advice there was meant for Californians and New Yorkers and such.

My concealed carry license is not good here in California, so I have to carry a fighting knife, combining a blinding flashlight with it can make a great difference.

[VRing]

"Amen brother. Doesn't leave marks, well not big ones"

Just the ticket for keeping uppity serfs in line.

[ozzymandus]

I'd rather get bopped with a Maglight than shot.

[Stoat]

I'd rather get bopped with a Maglight than shot.

Agreed, a skull fracture is usually a bit less of a problem than a .357 +P+ hollowpoint in vital areas, although both can cause death.  At the end of the day, I would prefer for our police officers to have as much useful weaponry as possible and for certain elements of the public to calm down just a bit, then they won't need to worry about being bopped on the head to begin with   :-)

[ArrogantBustard]

Get the E2D Defender ... painfully bright, and has serrations around the bezel. I'd really not want to be hit with it.

Yes, I have one.

[reagan_fanatic]

The company I work for sells Streamlight flashlights. We used to sell a model SL-35, which was a large, hard alumimum-cased unit that, with the ni-cad battery pack, made quite a nice billy club when needed.

Unfortunately, the Police departments here did the same thing and went with the smaller, lighter flashlights.

[Stoat]

Get the E2D Defender ... painfully bright, and has serrations around the bezel. I'd really not want to be hit with it.

Surefire E2D Executive Defender® - E2D-BK available from SureFire

SPECIFICATIONS

Max Output: 60 lumens
Runtime: 1.25 hours
Length: 4.85 Inches
Weight: 3.20 Ounces
Battery: Two 123A Lithium

FEATURES
 

• Rugged aerospace-grade aluminum body, Mil-Spec Type III hard anodized in black
• O-ring sealed, weatherproof
• Extra-thick tempered Pyrex® window
• Pocket clip
• Tailcap switch: press for momentary-on, press further to click constant-on
• Switch lockout prevents accidental activation during transport or storage

Looks very nice, thanks!  :-)

[Stoat]

The company I work for sells Streamlight flashlights. We used to sell a model SL-35, which was a large, hard alumimum-cased unit that, with the ni-cad battery pack, made quite a nice billy club when needed.

Unfortunately, the Police departments here did the same thing and went with the smaller, lighter flashlights.

It's very troubling, this business of our police being gradually disarmed.  These changes are brought about by liberal Chiefs of Police who aren't policemen anymore, they are politicians.  And they bend to the will of local city councils which, all too often, are filled with liberal elitists who live in gated communities with impenetrable security, and so they don't have to think about crime in their own lives anyway.

[kildak]

.357 +P+?

[ozzymandus]

More likely .40 S&W, I don't know department policies on +P+ ammo. Some departments specify a pud load.

[Horatio Gates]

Just the ticket for keeping uppity serfs in line.

If by "uppity serfs" you mean people where probable cause exists for their arrest and they are resisting arrest or being assaultive then yes, the taser can be just the ticket. I've been tased. I've been clubbed. I prefer the former fwiw

[Stoat]

357 +P+?

I may well be out of date with this expression....it used to be that the "+P" and "+P+" designations indicated a high-power load, oftentimes expressed on the retail box as "Police Ammunition". and the  "+P" designation stamped on the cartridge rim   It may well be that this expression isn't  in current use anymore, although I'm seeing it shown as a result of a web search for "+P Ammo".

[Stoat]

More likely .40 S&W, I don't know department policies on +P+ ammo. Some departments specify a pud load.

Sorry I'm out of date....I  was reaching back 30+ years from memory when my dad was a policeman.

[Stoat]

As if the police were not allowed to have weapons?

There will come a day when the PC left will call for cops to patrol without guns.

From reading the British press, it seems that the police there have a multi-tiered system....when they are in a situation that may require the use of deadly force, they have to call in a specially-trained and equipped 'gun officer' to take care of things.  More wasted time and lives as well as expense to the already burdened British taxpayer, but that's Socialism for you.

As if the police were not allowed to have weapons?

There will come a day when the PC left will call for cops to patrol without guns.

From reading the British press, it seems that the police there have a multi-tiered system....when they are in a situation that may require the use of deadly force, they have to call in a specially-trained and equipped 'gun officer' to take care of things.  More wasted time and lives as well as expense to the already burdened British taxpayer, but that's Socialism for you.