New Innovations in LED Flashlights for Police Officers
More demands are placed on police flashlights than on regular flashlights. The urgency of law enforcement does not allow for substandard equipment that suddenly ceases to function or is detrimental to the job at hand. Police departments must use companies which specialize in law enforcement equipment to meet the unique requirements of its officers. Over the years, there have been several recent innovations in both heavy duty flashlights and tactical flashlights for law enforcement officials. These newer models help address some of the special needs and situations police officers face.
One company has introduced a shotgun disguised as a flashlight. This Mag-Lite is actually a .410 shotgun. The “Companion” is, indeed, a working flashlight, and has the capacity of one round. After a safety pin is removed, it is activated by a spring-loaded firing pin, which ejects the projectile through the cap at the end of the flashlight.
Some manufacturers now offer metal-detector flashlights, which will vibrate and flash a red light when drawn over a metal object. Another clever model hides a pepper spray canister in the flashlight body, while another paints glow-in-the-dark patterns which distract criminals for easier apprehension. Still other specialty police flashlights come equipped with rotary rings attached to provide strobe-light effects.
Heavier flashlights can be used as a weapon themselves, and suppliers are currently producing “weapon lights” that are waterproof and shockproof to further enhance weaponry uses. These companies also offer flashlights equipped with laser aiming devices and tactical gun-mounting capabilities.
But, most policemen claim that their needs can adequately be met by a flashlight that is lightweight enough to be easily carried on a belt, sturdy enough to maintain proper use, able to withstand harsh weather conditions, and contains dependable bulbs and batteries.
These requirements are often found in good quality LED, krypton or xenon police flashlights.
Light-emitting diodes, or LED’s, were designed a few decades ago as low-power indicator lights. Eight years ago, a higher-powered white-light LED was introduced. Flashlights using this technology produce increased brightness and life over some incandescent models, while still using less battery power than normal flashlight bulbs. They are also able to withstand impacts that can break standard flashlight bulbs.
An interesting fact about LED flashlights is that they do not gradually emit fading light as battery power weakens, as conventional flashlights do. They are regulated for a constant lighting level, which is a boon to any occupation that has to rely on it in matters that may be termed “life or death.”
One popular aspect of an LED flashlight is its ability to utilize light colors for various needs. For example, red preserves night vision; green can signal, and blue may be used for following a trail of blood. Many existing flashlights can use LED conversion or replacement bulbs, which may also fit into lanterns and headlamps. As always, comparison shopping will be needed.
There are numerous “extras” that can be found on LED flashlights, and many serve police well in their line of duty. Several models come with clips or straps for the attachment to clothing, duty belts, or gear for hands-free storage and operation. Plus, models often have push-button use than can easily accommodate the wearing of gloves, and may even offer settings such as “low”, “high”, or “locator.”
A few LED tactical flashlights come with a strobe or emergency beacon that is built into the component itself. Others offer 90-degree right angle lighting, and still others claim to cut through smoke, never burn out, or be non-corrosive or indestructible. LED flashlights have light beams that can range 500 feet; they can also offer up to 4 watts of light, 2 miles of signaling, and 12 hours of burn time.
Law enforcement officers need professional quality flashlights, and today’s technology can offer it, as well as many helpful options.
~Ben Anton, 2008
