Police Batons

In recent years, a large number of law enforcement agencies in the U.S. changed the type of standard police baton from the classic nightstick to a more updated instrument: the expandable baton. Current expandable batons offer the same protection power and service as classic nightsticks, but are often smaller and lighter. They are available in a number of sizes for various uses.

Nightsticks and other similar police batons were derived from the tonfa, a traditional weapon of Kobudo, an Okinawan martial arts system. When used in martial arts applications, a pair of tonfa is often used, with one tonfa held in each hand. Only one nightstick is used for police applications.

Side handle batons (tonfa-based batons) are still in use in many jurisdictions and agencies. Modern side handle batons often feature molded side grips, and some are also equipped with a rubberized grip on the short end of the baton. They are generally manufactured with either heavy duty plastic or aircraft grade aluminum.

Expandable Police Batons

Expandable batons offer a number of advantages of tonfa-based styles. At an average of seven inches in length, closed batons are easily stowed, eliminating any negative image that the public may associate with batons. Some batons, such as ASP batons, can also be used as flashlights: a powerful light embedded in the handle-end of the baton can be switched on at the touch of a button.