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Know the evolution of batons?
In the last 10 years, Law Enforcement has sacrificed
effectiveness, dependability and durability …… for convenience!
Question: Why do law enforcement agencies authorize batons?
Answer: Their ability to contain a suspect RAPIDLY, as an intermediate “Use of Force” option”!
Evolution of Batons
I. Original Batons: “Billies” |
II. First Expandable: Germany (1940’s) “Zippo”- Handle with extendable spring and steel ball at tip |
III. Straight stick of the 50’s & 60’s: Hickory , Coca Bola, Diamond Wood, Poly-Carbonates, Aluminium |
A. Advantages |
1. Simple to use
2. Sufficient mass to contain suspects rapidly |
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B. Disadvantages |
1. Not convenient to keep on officer at all times
2. Bangs on leg in foot pursuit |
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IV. PR24 of the 70’s & 80’s |
A. Advantages |
1. Good for jabbing, leverage manoeuvres and blocking techniques |
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B. Disadvantages |
1. Baton requires too much training
2. Training methods are too complex
3. In a confrontation, officer resort to gross motor skills of a straight stick
4. Not convenient to keep on officer’s side at all times
5. Ineffective as a striking baton |
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V. Re-introduction of Expandable Batons 1990’s |
A. Advantages |
1. Baton stays on officer at all times
2. Collapsed mode allows officer to carry baton without it banging on knee in pursuit |
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B. Disadvantages |
1. Weight in the handle instead of in the striking aspect of the baton
2. Insufficient mass and weight to contain suspects without multiple strikes – with obvious legal complications
3. Insufficient tube thickness allows batons to bend
4. Insufficient friction lock allows baton to collapse inadvertently
5. Heat treating process allows batons to break and separate at joints
6. Baton must be driven into ground repetitively to collapse baton |
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VI. New manufacturers address poor friction lock of ASP, introduces “Positive Stop” (2 stage) |
A. Advantages |
1. Baton does not collapse in the middle of a confrontation
2. Collapses at the push of a button |
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B. Disadvantages |
1. 2 stage batons sit longer in a holster. 3 stages are more compact
2. More force gets generated on one joint, therefore susceptible to bending and breaking |
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VII. Other levering batons introduced: PASS-CON (Passive Constraint) and Handler-12 |
A. Advantages |
1. Requires too much training to be effective
2. Too cumbersome to carry |
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VIII. Monadnock offers Auto Lock Baton 2000 |
A. Advantages |
1. 3 stage with button on back is a great convenience to close the baton. |
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B. Disadvantages |
1. Significant mechanical failure
2. Not durable, susceptible to bending and breaking
3. Most important - has no significant stopping power like ASP |
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IX. Introduction of light weight graphite composite baton |
A. Advantages |
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B. Disadvantages |
1. Ineffective intermediate use of force weapon unless used in a closed manner
2. Has no mass, weight or stopping power |
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X. 1997 - Inventor Clark Wilmoth introduces new expandable baton. |
A. Advantages: |
1. Rapid Stopping Power |
a. Weight in the distal half of the baton, where you need it, not in the handle of the baton
b. Known as a Rapid Containment Baton or R.C.B. (2 strikes or less to contain a suspect) |
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2. Will not collapse |
a. Has broader friction lock surface area than other friction lock batons
b. Jabbing techniques can be utilized |
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3. Durability |
a. Larger milled strike tubes, not heat treated
b. Able to break a car window without bending |
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4. Large End Cap |
a. Larger tip has more surface area than traditional straight stick or PR24
b. Jabbing techniques can be performed without impalement
c. Hardened end cap will not develop burs, thus reduces laceration liability |
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5. Expandability |
a. Traditional deployment has a “rack” of authority
b. Can be deployed with two hands in confined space as secondary method of deployment |
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6. Collapsibility |
a. Does not need to be driven into the ground repetitively
b. Two methods available |
1. Single drive straight to a firm surface
2. Tap and roll method |
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B. Disadvantages |
1. Heavier than other expandable batons
2. Does not have convenient button to collapse |
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Through the last 10 years, many departments have found that light weight expendables do not have the stopping power of the old straight stick. What does the old straight stick have that light weight expendables do not? Not just weight, but MASS. Kinetic Energy = ½ *mass *velocity 2 or KE = ½ *m *v 2 (simple formula). For the last 10 years, Law Enforcement has been focusing on the velocity side of the equation instead of the mass. Thus leading this country to ill fated incidences that get significant media attention.
Does this mean that all other batons are never effective? Of course not. Other batons have been known to be effective most of the time. However, can you afford to not have their baton be effective every single time???
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