Club (law enforcement)

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For non-police clubbed weapons, see Club (weapon).
Old police baton
Old police baton

A baton (from bâton, the French for stick) or truncheon (nightstick or billy-club in American English) is essentially a stick of less than arms-length, usually made of wood, plastic, or metal, and carried by law enforcement, corrections, security, and (to a less common degree) military personnel for less-lethal self-defense, as well as control and to disperse combative and non-compliant subjects. A baton may be used to strike, jab, block, and aid in the application of armlocks.

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[edit] History

In the Victorian era, police in London carried clubs about one foot long called billy-clubs or truncheons. The impact weapon has developed into several varieties available today. The basic impact weapon is a straight baton made from wood or a synthetic material, approximately one and a quarter inches in diameter, and from 18 to 36 inches long; this is also called a nightstick (by individuals outside of the law enforcement community). The 36" and longer batons are called "riot batons"; the handle end is sometimes fluted to aid gripping.

Sometimes wooden truncheons or batons are ornamented with organization's coats of arms and such, and used for symbolic presentation rather than weapons.

Compare mace and staff of office for the marrying of defense and symbolism.

Making straight batons of rubber gives a softer impact. Some of the kinetic energy bends and compresses the rubber and bounces off when the object is struck. The Russian police standard issue baton is rubber, except in places, like Siberia, cold enough that the rubber can become brittle and break if struck against something.

The traffic baton is red to make it more visible when being used as a signaling aid when directing traffic.

A modern wooden baton.
A modern wooden baton.

Until the mid-1990s British police officers carried traditional wooden truncheons of a sort which had changed little from the Victorian era. After the early 1990s, forces replaced truncheons with side-handle and collapsible batons for all but ceremonial duties.

[edit] Theory and Usage

Per the use of force policies of most American law enforcement agencies and departments, a baton may be used in a use-of-force situation when deploying a firearm would be inappropriate or unjustified, but greater force is needed than that which can be met by bare hands.

A peace officer not equipped with a baton may be forced to choose between two extremes in responding to criminal assault: bare hands or firearms. Thus, the baton fills an intermediate role in the weapons available to peace officers, and gives flexibility to defend against physical attack in proportionately.

If a peace officer is fired upon by a suspect with a handgun from a distance of several meters, the situation may dictate the officer's best option is seeking cover, and returning fire with his or her sidearm, if the officer were so equipped. If an unarmed suspect passively resists arrest, and is not actively assaultive against the arresting officer, striking the suspect with a baton in order to gain compliance may (or may not, depending on the use-of-force policy of the officer's department) be thought excessive force.

In between these extremes (in terms of the threat posed to the officer), a baton would prove useful. If an unarmed suspect tried to attack an officer at arm's length, and the officer was of lesser strength and size, and couldn't defend against the suspect without using weapons, it would be fair and prudent for the officer to subdue with baton strikes to non-critical areas of the body. Baton strikes may be justified and ideal in an attack by many unarmed suspects.

[edit] Target Areas

Before the 1970s, it was common for law enforcement in the United Kingdom to "skull" a suspect (hit him or her on the head)[citation needed] . Civil lawsuits and claims of police brutality resulted in better training to officers. In modern police training it is not permitted to hit the skull, sternum, spine or groin unless the situation is such that such an attack is unavoidable. Now the primary targets are nerves like the common peroneal nerve, or large muscles like the quadriceps or biceps.

Unless otherwise justified (as in a deadly force scenario), the officer avoids directing baton strikes towards the head, neck, face, spine, organs, kneecaps, elbow joints, collarbone, or groin. Strikes that hit there can cause serious or permanent injury or death. Directing baton strikes towards non-critical areas of the body, such as arms and legs, is less likely to produce serious or permanent injury or death.

Despite precautions to minimize blunt trauma, a baton strike to a non-critical area of the body can still be lethal. For example, a strike to a leg can cause a blood clot to develop that if is not detected and treated, can kill.

[edit] Comparison with other weapons

Hand-held impact weapons have some advantages over newer, less lethal weapons. Batons are less expensive than Tasers to buy or to use, and carry none of the risk of cross-contamination of OC aerosol canisters (pepper spray) in confined areas. Tasers and OC canisters have limited ammunition, whereas batons do not.

Batons are higher on the use of force continuum than many other less-lethal weapons, as they are more likely to cause lasting or fatal injuries. Like Tasers and OC, batons are referred to as "less-lethal" rather than "non-lethal". All three tools have caused death in past cases: allergic reaction to pepper spray, blood clots from baton strikes, and head injuries from falling after being shocked by a Taser. Their use is avoided as much as possible. Ideally, officers and other law enforcement would always resolve conflict at the lowest level of force possible, like command presence, verbal commands or physical control.

[edit] Baton designs

Batons in common use by peace officers in the United States include (traditional) fixed-length straight batons, fixed-length side-handle batons, collapsible straight batons, and collapsible side-handle batons. All 4 types have their advantages and disadvantages.

[edit] Straight batons

A straight or fixed-length baton (also commonly referred to as a "straightstick") is the oldest American police (long) baton design, often made of hardwood but also available in other materials such as aluminum. They can be found in lengths such as 23", 26", or 29". Despite having been replaced by side-handle and expandable batons in many (if not most) law enforcement agencies, it remains in use by many major departments in the US, such as the Baltimore, Denver, Sacramento, Long Beach, Santa Ana, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Riverside Police Departments, and are used by NYPD Auxiliary Police officers.

Long straightsticks with a 36-inch length are called "riot batons", and are commonly used in such civil disturbances.

Some agencies have replaced the straightstick with other batons because of inconvenience to carry, and a desire for their officers to look less threatening to the community they serve. Many proponents of the straightstick argue it is more effective at rapidly incapacitating a suspect than newer designs (anecdotally requiring fewer strikes than many expandable batons), and that officer safety should be the overriding consideration in baton selection.

[edit] Expandable batons

ASP 21" expandable baton in expanded and collapsed state.
ASP 21" expandable baton in expanded and collapsed state.
Swedish riot police with expandable baton.
Swedish riot police with expandable baton.

An expandable baton (also referred to variously as a collapsible baton, telescopic (or telescoping) baton, tactical baton, spring cosh, or asp) is typically composed of a cylindrical outer shaft containing telescoping inner shafts (typically 2 or 3, depending on the design) that lock into each other when expanded. The shafts are usually made of steel, but lightweight baton models may have their shafts made from other materials such as aluminum alloy.

Expandable batons may have a solid tip at the outer end of the inner-most shaft; the purpose of the solid tip is to maximize the power of a strike when the baton is used as an impact weapon.

Expandable batons are made in both straight and side-handle configurations, but are considerably more common in the straight configuration.

The most well-known example of the straight expandable baton is the ASP (Armament Systems and Procedures) Baton, which has become a genericized trademark within the law enforcement and security communities for this type of product.

Depending on the holster or scabbard design, it may be possible to carry an expandable baton in either collapsed or expanded position, which would be helpful if an officer needed to holster an expanded baton and it was not possible or convenient to collapse it at the time.

An expandable baton is opened by being swung in a forceful manner while collapsed, using inertia to extend and lock the segments by friction. Some mechanical-lock versions can also be opened by simply pulling the segments apart. Depending on the design, expandable batons may be collapsed either by being brought down (inverted) on a hard surface, or by depressing a button lock and manually collapsing the shafts.

The advantages of a collapsible baton over a fixed baton are numerous:

  • The collapsible shaft makes it easier for the officer to carry it and to sit in a car seat wearing it, since when collapsed it is between six and ten inches long. This is contrasted with non-collapsible batons, which the Officer may, as a measure of convenience, often resort to removing from his or her belt when seating themselves in a vehicle.
  • Non-collapsible batons are typically carried in a ring type belt attachment. Fixed batons carried in such holders work themselves out of the holder when the wearing officer sprints. Two answers are to hold the baton down in the ring with a hand, or have the baton in the hand; neither are desirable. The typical collapsible straight baton and its scabbard do not suffer this, and remain secure regardless of the wearing officer's movement.
  • In theory, the mere display of extending the baton may in some instances be psychologically intimidating to an aggressive suspect (due to both the sight and sound of the action), and may thus deescalate the situation and preclude the necessity of any physical force being used at all.
  • Many police officers believe that it presents a more community-friendly image to the general public than non-collapsible batons, due to the former's lower profile while collapsed; many citizens may not even know what the collapsible baton is for when it is collapsed and residing in the officer's duty belt; a 29-inch wooden straightstick's designed purpose, on the other hand, is clearly more self-evident. In this regard, the collapsible baton may be considered more suitable for community-oriented policing.
  • A collapsible baton may be deployed against a suspect whether expanded or collapsed; expanded, the baton's reach is extended, but collapsed, the baton is handier in close quarters. This provides greater versatility in a wider range of environments over the fixed-length baton.

However, expandable batons are not without some disadvantages:

  • Some police may prefer to carry a fixed baton due to the greater visual deterrence it may provide (which may be a benefit in the form of increasing the officer's command presence). Similarly, a fixed baton serves better as a conspicuous symbol of authority (i.e. "badge of office") than a collapsed expandable baton.
  • Fixed batons may often be less expensive than their collapsible counterparts of identical or similar quality. Because of this, some law enforcement departments, such as the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, may issue a fixed-length baton, but have their officers/deputies purchase expandable batons at the option and expense of the individual officer.
  • Fixed batons may be inherently faster to bring into action, due to their not needing to first be extended before use as an impact weapon (unless one wishes to use a collapsible baton in collapsed form).
  • If an expandable baton is of friction-lock design, as most are, there is an inherent risk that the baton may inadvertently close at an inopportune moment while being used to strike a suspect.

Additionally, the baton, in collapsed configuration, may be used as a control device against non-compliant subjects in conjunction with pain-compliance control techniques, such as to remove a driver refusing to exit his or her vehicle.

Although not specifically prohibited by name, expandable batons are generally considered to be deadly and prohibited weapons in the State of California under Penal Code Section 12002/12020, and as such, may be lawfully possessed only by authorized law enforcement and security personnel. In the countries of Europe, these type of batons are mostly illegal, but despite their legal status, they are being used by law enforcement units, especially by riot police. In some countries (eg. in Hungary where these batons are called "viper") this practice lead to controversy in police compliance evaluation and serves as a fuel of social tensions as well.

[edit] Side-handle batons

a pair of tonfa
a pair of tonfa

Side-handle batons (sometimes referred to as T-batons) are batons with a short side handle at a right angle to the shaft, about six inches from one end. The main shaft is typically 24 inches in length. They are derived from the tonfa, an Okinawan kobudō weapon, and are used with a similar technique (although Tonfas are usually used in pairs, whereas side-handle batons are not). The most well-known example is the Monadnock PR-24, which has become a genericized trademark within the law enforcement and security communities for this type of product.

It can be held by:

  • One end, and the corner between the shaft and the handle used to catch a long swung blunt or sharp weapon.
  • The side handle, and the long shaft held against the hand and forearm to splint and shield the arm against an expected blow from an attacker.

Side-handle batons are made in both fixed and collapsible models, and may be constructed from a range of materials including wood, polycarbonate, epoxy, and aluminum.

Some side-handle batons are one-piece in design; the side-handle component and primary shaft are permanently fused together during manufacturing. One-piece designs are potentially stronger in design than 2-piece designs, and have no risk of having a locking screw loosen from its threads.

Other side-handle batons are two-piece in design (common among cheaper makes); the side-handle component is screwed into primary shaft. The side handle may be removed from the shaft by the end-user, converting the side-handle into a straight baton. Users of 2-piece side handle batons would be well-advised to apply a thread-locking compound to the side-handle screw to prevent loosening under use. It would also be prudent to occasionally check the tightness of that screw.

The advantages of a side-handle baton over a straight baton are numerous:

  • There are a far greater number of defensive techniques/maneuvers that may be used with the side-handle baton in contrast with the straight baton.
  • The side-handle component may aid in weapon retention, making it more difficult for a suspect to take the baton away from the officer in a struggle.
  • The side-handle component prevents the baton from rolling far away if inadvertently dropped, unlike a straight baton.
  • Subjectively, some officers may be able to deliver a strike of greater power with the side-handle baton (when used in conjunction with a "power stroke") over a straight baton.
  • Due to its design, a side handle baton is generally used in a more defensive and less offensive manner than a straight baton, and thus it is less likely for an officer to "instinctively" use a side-handle baton as a simple bludgeon and direct indiscriminate strikes against a suspect. Also, the typically defensive stance the side-handle baton is used with is generally believed to present a more community-friendly image than a straight baton.

Side-handle batons have a few disadvantages:

  • More training is required for an officer to fully utilize the potential of a side-handle baton compared to a straight baton.
  • The side-handle slightly increases overall weight and bulk of the baton compared to a straight baton of identical length.
  • When the side-handle baton is used as a simple bludgeon (without gripping the side-handle), it is less effective than a straight baton.

Side-handle batons have been involved in high-profile incidents of alleged police brutality, such as in New Zealand's 1981 Springbok Tour[1][2], and the Rodney King beating.

[edit] Design innovations

Several design innovations are being tested in response to some of the perceived limitations of the currently popular expandable baton and side-handle baton. These drawbacks include inherent compromises due to the dual (and competing) goals of control effectiveness and safety (for both officer and subject). Generally speaking, the more control a piece of equipment offers an officer, the less safe it is for the subject.

This has spurred a review of "arrest and control" tactics as well as a flurry of design innovations. There are specialty or improvised batons in use such as electric-shock batons and the use of flashlights.

[edit] Electric-shock batons

Main article: Stun baton

Stun batons are designed to administer an electric shock.

[edit] Flashlights as Improvised Impact Weapons

Although the Kel-lite in the 1970s appears to have been the first flashlight designed specifically to be useful as emergency defensive weapon[3], the most well-known example is the 5 D-cell Maglite, still in use by some law enforcement and security personnel. Due to their inefficient size/weight-to-power ratio compared to smaller, lighter, and brighter lights such as lithium-powered Surefire lights, Maglites are often regarded as being more useful in their improvised impact weapon role than as illumination devices.

Use of such flashlights as a club or baton is generally officially discouraged by the manufacturers and law enforcement officials, but its use is an option. As with all police weapons there have been many allegations of misuse, such as in the Malice Green beating in Detroit. However, it should be noted that the use of flashlights as improvised impact weapons is subject to the same use of force regulations as the use of purpose-designed impact weapons like batons.

Peace officers may often choose to use such flashlights because they are viewed primarily as illumination devices; thus, if a peace officer carries one in his hands during nighttime encounters with potentially violent subjects, it would be more difficult to file valid complaints (of "unnecessarily" brandishing a weapon) than if the officer were to be equipped with a baton or OC canister instead. This permits the officer to have an impact weapon in their hands and ready for instantaneous action, rather than having to draw a baton or OC canister.

Characteristic of a flashlight used as a baton or club is the grip employed. Flashlights are commonly held with the bulb end pointing from the thumb side of the hand, such that it is pointing outward from the body when held palm upward. When wielded as a club, the bulb end points inward when the hand is palm upward, and the grip is closely choked to the bulb end. This grip has several advantages, in that the bulb end of a flashlight is usually flared and thus serves as a pommel preventing the flashlight from slipping out of the hand when swung, the bulb end is also relatively more fragile and more likely to break on forceful contact, and the bulb end has less mass than the opposite end which is usually filled with heavy batteries. Gripping a flashlight in this way is somewhat less convenient for use as a light, since the natural position of the resting hand points the flashlight to the rear when standing. Thus when a flashlight is held in this manner it is often perceived as an “offensive” posture.

Another advantage to using a flashlight as a club is that in poorly lit situations it can be used to initially blind the eyes of an opponent. Law enforcement officers often deliberately shine flashlight beams into the eyes of suspects at night to cause temporary night-blindness as a preemptive defensive measure, whether or not the individual is likely to behave violently.

[edit] References

[edit] External links