Guns and handcuffs aren't the only things Police or security officers are required to carry everyday. A police baton is a handy control weapon that can be used to submit the aggressor into compliance.
Police batons are powerful handsticks that can be used to break glass ( when one needs to break in) or as a defense weapon. To be able to fulfill the multi purposeless of their role, police batons come in varying lengths and designs.
The basic two types of construction of a police baton are called an expandable baton (or collapsible baton) and non-expandable baton ( or fixed baton). Each type of security baton has its pros and cons.
Design of Collapsible Police Batons
A typical expandable baton can be anywhere between 12 inches up to 36 inches long. An approved length of police batons varies across different law enforcement agencies and states, but a 21" inch expandable police baton is most commonly used by most security forces.
These police batons work like retractable nightsticks that are very strong and cannot be broken easily. Police batons are super easy everyday carry weapons which can be deployed quickly. An expandable police baton makes for a perfect non-lethal deterrent that can control someone without causing permanent injury.
The expandable police batons, as the name suggests, are designed to be extendible. These security batons are made of an outer layer of shaft shaped like a cylindrical. This shaft contains within it many smaller shafts(2-3atleast). It is the interlocking of these smaller shafts that causes the police baton to expand to its full capacity. that lock into each other when expanded.
The materials used to make these police batons is steel but other materials that can also be used like any aluminum alloy. These allows are lighter in weight and thus compose very lightweight police batons for everyday carrying purposes.
The tip of the deepest shaft of an expandable police baton is solid and provides maximum impact upon strike. There are two variations within collapsible police batons. One is called a straight police baton, another is called a side-handle police baton.
An expandable police baton must be carried and stored within a holster or a scabbard. These police batons can be expanded and retracted at will when the situation demands it.
How a collapsible police baton works
The opening mechanism of a collapsed police baton is pretty basic. When a police officer wants to fully extend his baton, he will swing it forcefully, causing the baton to expand due to inertia. The various inner shafts are then interlocked by friction. Although some police batons use mechanical opening and locking systems.
To collapse an expanded police baton, a police officer will have to invert it manually or press a button that collapses all the shafts. These police batons can be brought with accessories like hooks and scabbard that allow them to be carried around easily and deployed as control devices.
Why use expandable police batons?
There are numerous advantages of using collapsible police batons over fixed police batons.
When a police baton is fully collapsed, it is just around 6 to 10 inches in length. This makes police batons practically comfortable for police officers to carry or keep them in their car at all all times.
A fixed police baton doesn't offer this convenience. A police officer will have to physically detach himself from the baton each time he crouches to sit in his car. Thus makes fixed police batons difficult to carry around at all times.
A non-collapsible police baton has to be carried around with the help of hooking rings on the belt of police officers. typically carried in a ring-type belt attachment. This makes them susceptible to fall off. In contrast, a collapsible police baton with the help of scabbard will remain securely attached to the officer regardless lf the frequency of his movements.
A fixed police baton offers less versatility as compared to a collapsible police baton. This is because an expandable police baton can be made use of even if it's not fully expanded.
A fully collapsed police baton is useful in close quarters where just a little show of authority or force by the officer can deter a person into compliance. This makes expandable police batons more handy as intimidation weapons than their fixed counterparts.
In an environment where a de escalation strategy is more suited, these police batons will offer a greater range of options for the police officers.
Collapsible police batons tend to have wider till as compared to fixed batons. They are also. made from heavy steel which makes them more powerful and effective weapons to be used in attacking a target.
The blow to the target requires comparatively less force with harder impact as a result. They save time and energy as they eliminate the need for multiple attacks or blows. If these police batons are being used as defensive weapons then they offer greater chances of survival for a police officer.
Final thoughts
So now you have read the benefits of choosing collapsible police batons over fixed ones. Make your choices having considered these advantages.
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