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IMPACT WEAPONS - THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME?

NCJ Number
55935
Journal
Police Volume: 11 Issue: 4 Dated: (DECEMBER 1978) Pages: 16-18
Author(s)
ANON
Date Published
1978
Length
3 pages
Annotation
POLICE WEAPONRY IN GREAT BRITAIN AND THE UNITED STATES IS DISCUSSED, WITH PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO 'HARMLESS' IMPACT WEAPONS (CLUBS).
Abstract
TRADITIONALLY THE BRITISH POLICE HAVE ESCHEWED FIREARMS AND ADOPTED A MILD RESPONSE TO POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. THE SOLE WEAPON ISSUED BY BRITSH OFFICERS HAS BEEN THE WOODEN TRUNCHEON. BUT THE INCREASE IN TERRORISM, RIOTS, AND VIOLENT CRIME HAS CAUSED THE BRITISH POLICE TO REASSESS THEIR WEAPONS STANCE. MORE OFFICERS ARE PEMANENTLY OR REGULARLY EQUIPPED WITH GUNS, AND THERE ARE MORE OCCASIONS ON WHICH POLICE ARE ISSUED WEAPONS FOR A SPECIFIC DUTY. THE RIOT SHIELD AND THE REINFORCED HELMET HAVE BEEN ADDED TO THE INVENTORY OF POLICE EQUIPMENT, AND CONFRONTATION TRAINING HAS BEEN INTENSIFIED. BRITSH POLICE OFFICERS WHO HAVE VISITED THE UNITED STATES HAVE FOUND THAT, ALTHOUGH MOST AMERICAN POLICE OFFICERS ARE EXPERT IN THE USE OF FIREARMS, THEY RARELY FIRE THEM. AMERICAN POLICE RELY FAR MORE ON NONLETHAL WEAPONS (ESPECIALLY IMPACT WEAPONS) THAN ON GUNS. IMPACT WEAPONS INCLUDE VARIOUS PLASTIC AND WOODEN BATONS, BLACKJACKS, THE JUDO STICK, AND THE KARATE STICK. A PARTICULAR FAVORITE IS A PLASTIC DEVICE CALLED THE PROSECUTOR BATON, A 2-FOOT PLASTIC STICK WITH A 5-INCH HANDLE. THE PROSECUTOR CAN BE USED BOTH OFFENSIVELY AND DEFENSIVELY, TO FLAIL OR TO JAB. IN AMERICAN CITIES WHERE RIOTS ARE COMMON, OFFICERS ARE TRAINED IN BATON-FIGHTING TECHNIQUES. FOR THE BRITISH POLICE, DEVICES SUCH AS THE PROSECUTOR MAY PROVE TO BE A HALFWAY POINT BETWEEN THE EXISTING SITUATION AND THE TIME WHEN EVERY OFFICER WILL CARRY A GUN. (LKM)

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