| Today's law enforcement agencies can take | | | | The most important aspects of police flashlights |
| advantage of the newest technological advances | | | | would be ease of use and dependability, since |
| in many different ways. Not only can those who | | | | they must continuously function under high-risk |
| fight crime have access to devices that seem to | | | | conditions. Certain LED models claim hundreds of |
| come right out of James Bond spy movies, they | | | | hours of light use, convenient on/off buttons, and |
| can use equipment similar to what's used on | | | | an almost indefinite life span. |
| television's CSI drama series. | | | | Even though all offer consistent light without |
| Manufacturers of the latest in police gear have | | | | dimming, LED flashlights can vary by size and |
| announced some surprising inventions that are | | | | weight. Some officers may prefer the lighter |
| now available, but perhaps still a little difficult to | | | | ones, while others may prefer the heavier, as |
| get. However, within a year these devices should | | | | they then can be used as a weapon. One |
| be easily accessible, and within a few they may | | | | department may wish to use only the |
| even be "standard issue" for many police | | | | high-intensity white LED light bulbs, while another |
| departments. | | | | city's force may wish to utilize the advantages of |
| Many seasoned police veterans may wonder | | | | colored LED bulbs for night vision, checking blood |
| what could possibly be new with regards to | | | | trails, or signaling. |
| flashlights to make their job easier. Well, heavy | | | | It's clear that different police departments, and |
| duty flashlights and tactical flashlights used by | | | | even different officers within the same city, could |
| police can now do more than shed light on a | | | | face a range of dangerous situations. These call |
| scene or a perpetrator. | | | | for specialty police flashlights. Almost every |
| Since LED police flashlights are the tool of choice | | | | officer would be able to utilize a flashlight that can |
| in many areas, some companies have simply | | | | cut through smoke and offer adjustable beams of |
| focused on making them even more dependable | | | | light, but there may not be as frequent a need |
| and sturdy than they already are. They've been | | | | for the more upgraded features on a regular |
| dropping the flashlights from 30 feet to test | | | | basis. |
| durability, submerging them to check for an ability | | | | There is a model that contains a pepper-spray |
| to stay waterproof, and timing not only the | | | | canister, a flashlight that can detect metal |
| shining time, but the overall life time of the | | | | (vibrating and flashing a red light when |
| batteries. There are now dozens of suppliers of | | | | encountering metal), one that creates |
| police flashlights that provide specific product | | | | glow-in-the-dark patterns, and even styles which |
| specifications, including the wattage, lumens, scope | | | | provide beacon or strobe-light effects. Plus, to |
| of light, and hazardous condition defense. | | | | further enhance weaponry, police flashlights are |
| As with any product, however, the best thing to | | | | now providing laser-aiming devices, gun mounting |
| do is to determine local and user needs and | | | | capabilities, and shotguns hidden within the |
| compare what's available to what the budget may | | | | flashlights' bodies. |
| allow. Some tactical or heavy duty flashlights may | | | | A police department which is considering flashlight |
| cost as little at $40 each, but some can go up to | | | | replacement should take advantage of the |
| $200-not including battery chargers, holsters, clips | | | | opportunity to upgrade; never before have so |
| for attaching to clothes or duty belts, or built-in | | | | many features been available. |
| extras. | | | | |