LOS ANGELES : Commission OKs Police Use of Expandable Batons
- Share via
The Los Angeles Police Commission has approved the use of an expandable baton less cumbersome for patrol officers to carry on their gun belts.
The PR-24FX baton, which the department will offer as optional equipment, is 14 inches long when retracted and extends to 24 inches.
It is made with a side handle similar to ones on the black batons issued as regular equipment to patrol units.
“Currently, many uniformed officers find the existing side-handle baton cumbersome in many ways and are unable to comfortably sit in the police vehicle with the baton,” a report says.
According to the report, officers lose valuable time stepping out of their cars because they must first reach for the batons and place them on a ring on their gun belts.
The new batons, when retracted, fit securely and comfortably in the ring holder when an officer is sitting in a car.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
