RogerDodge
Full Registered User
A reply on this topic. But what I say won't be remotely applicable to your work in the UK. Frankly, I don't know how the Police can function in the UK. The constraints on them are tremendous. The Public expects the Police to be wonderfully nice people who don't even whack someone with a baton. But they also expect the Police to defend Westminster from terrorist attacks. It's a ridiculous set of expectations.
A couple of thoughts on batons. One is an amusing - but true - story from Los Angeles. I knew a guy who was a cop there. And they had to go into a bar fight to stop a huge Samoan who was out of control - too much beer. It took about 3-4 officers to bring him down. And the guy I spoke to slammed a baton with full force into the knee of this huge guy. It did take him down, but not easily. The blow would have shattered the bones on most people. A few days later the cop was walking down the street. And there was the Samoan - large as life, in good health, and walking with a slight limp. But sober. He was apologetic. And he said to the cop - "I don't know why you hurt me like that!"". And then he walked off. Some people have enormously strong bones. A baton will not always save you
I carried telescopic batons when I used to go to Africa. Although they seem like a good idea - and they are tough - I never wound up actually using one. And I think that if someone jumped you very fast, you might not even have time to deploy it. Better to use something simple in your rucksack - that's also very strong. Carry some sort of hand broom that's made out of very strong wood. But you still can't do anything like this in the UK. And the advice that was given - start with UNARMED skills - is excellent advice.
Cheers, KL
Batons are of limited use, I have used one and the person run off. Baths issued to the police in the UK and to small and to light to be useful most of the time. People seem to think 1 hit and a violent person will stop, just not the case.