Gordov2
Enlightened
What are the cops carrying? IN their hands or mounted on their guns?
What flashlights are police carrying these days?
- Thread starter Gordov2
- Start date
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There are many here more currently qualified to answer this than I am, including some LEOs, but I imagine in terms of manufacturers, these will be among the ones most mentioned (in no particular order). There's a couple of other niche players, but this is likely the bulk of the market share. You'll likely never get a real concensus opinion, but again, the current or recently active LEOs can talk current reality on the ground, so I'd listen to them first:
Streamlight
Surefire
Malkoff
Elzetta
Maglite
ASP
Streamlight
Surefire
Malkoff
Elzetta
Maglite
ASP
rwolfenstein
Enlightened
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- Mar 29, 2017
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- 602
So granted, this is for the pacific North West specifically. However I know local agencies only issue a maglite magcharger or a streamlight stinger LED. The reason for this is because its the lowest bidder equipment. We get big breaks on flashlights when they buy in mass. I know for a while Oregon State Police were buying those Pelican tactical flashlights that are multi-fuel. However instead of using the rechargeable batteries with them, they buy surefire batteries for them. This was all because the equipment orderer knew someone with another agency who bought them, so thats why they bought them.
knucklegary
Flashlight Enthusiast
Around my NorCal county sheriff deputies carry SL Stingers. I see some with small Olight angle heads hooked to vests, handy when writing citations.
Well, in NYC, the police are technically issued flashlights.
In reality they are given a long list of requirements for a duty flashlight, and must purchase one on their own. In the old days, you would see a HUGE number of NYPD officers walking around with black 2C incandescent Maglite models dangling from their belts. It's not that these lights were superior to others. It was literally the cheapest option for new recruits to purchase. Rookie paired up with a veteran officer, veteran would just tell the rookie to buy that particular Maglite model.
Nowadays there's better choices out there. But for many, the black 2C Maglite is still sometimes chosen, though in LED trim instead. When they have to spend their own money for on-the-job equipment, it's rare for someone to buy the best. They go for the cheapest option that gets the job done. Which, ironically, is why Barns in America are traditionally painted Red. Nothing to do with American farmers supporting Communism or "The Red Scare" back in the day. You put up a barn, you have to paint it to protect the wood from the rain. Literally the cheapest color available.... red.
In reality they are given a long list of requirements for a duty flashlight, and must purchase one on their own. In the old days, you would see a HUGE number of NYPD officers walking around with black 2C incandescent Maglite models dangling from their belts. It's not that these lights were superior to others. It was literally the cheapest option for new recruits to purchase. Rookie paired up with a veteran officer, veteran would just tell the rookie to buy that particular Maglite model.
Nowadays there's better choices out there. But for many, the black 2C Maglite is still sometimes chosen, though in LED trim instead. When they have to spend their own money for on-the-job equipment, it's rare for someone to buy the best. They go for the cheapest option that gets the job done. Which, ironically, is why Barns in America are traditionally painted Red. Nothing to do with American farmers supporting Communism or "The Red Scare" back in the day. You put up a barn, you have to paint it to protect the wood from the rain. Literally the cheapest color available.... red.
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If it were me, I'd carry something small, why would I want to carry something big/heavy?
Something like this:: forward clicky switch for momentary, 18650 that can be Type C charged on light, TIR optic, twist head to change mode.
.. so just keep it on medium and loosen or tighten to get the low or high you want.
(simply have a couple of button top 18650 in a case with you)
Lots of emitters to choose from on the P200LR
If it were me, I'd carry something small, why would I want to carry something big/heavy?
Something like this:: forward clicky switch for momentary, 18650 that can be Type C charged on light, TIR optic, twist head to change mode.
.. so just keep it on medium and loosen or tighten to get the low or high you want.
(simply have a couple of button top 18650 in a case with you)
Lots of emitters to choose from on the P200LR
It's a good option. I own one. It's my usual main EDC. But not a great option. That checkering looks good, but it's mostly for show. The light can get a bit slippery in hand.
Jean-Luc Descarte
Enlightened
Same reason why the English/British Armed forces wore their iconic red coats: red dye was the cheapest at the time.
Now I'm wondering if that's the reason so many power-tool brands are red. Just cheaper to dye the plastic parts red?
tech25
Flashlight Enthusiast
I see a lot of officers wearing what appears to be a Pelican 7600 on their lapels.
Idk if they are issued one or its available for them to buy.
I think they were issued those, at least for a while. It is a really good heavy duty light and a little expensive.
I'm not a LEO (although my requirements are very similar), but there's a fairly new P200LR w/ 519A 4500K sitting here next to me. Early days yet, but I like it a lot so far. I'll just keep it simple: I'd still buy one again tomorrow if I lost it today.
Around here it is mostly Pelican and Streamlight for their everyday carry. Surefire's used to be common but now they are overpriced and the warranty is virtually useless in Canada. Both Pelican and SL have a warranyy center in the city. In the duty bags of seasoned officers you will find 2 or 3 D Maglites as well although they aren't used much. We did have a 6 hour power failure here about a month ago and I saw an officer directing traffic with one of those Koehler 2 D incandescent lights with a traffic wand on it. Im pretty sure that light was older than the officer.
I'm used to seeing overwhelmingly Streamlights as current police duty lights, especially Stingers and Polystingers. I know there are places still using heavier lights like SL-20Ls and Magcharger LEDs but those don't appear to be as common. Also Pelicans as mentioned. Police into flashlights will often also carry whatever personal lights they like.
Of course "these days" isn't really in my wheelhouse.
Of course "these days" isn't really in my wheelhouse.
Mike 208
Enlightened
My area is patrolled by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. Deputies receive a "uniform allowance," which deputies use to purchase flashlights and other equipment. Unless they have made changes recently, field deputies are still allowed to carry full sized metal flashlights (the Streamlight SL-20L is the overwhelming choice). You'll also see Streamlight Stingers and Pelican 7060's, as well as various small flashlights (some of questionable quality) carried in shirt or vest pockets.
Deputies working in the "Custody Division" (Jail) are not allowed to carry full sized flashlights, which have been declared weapons. Streamlight Stingers and Pelican 7060's are favored by deputies there.
I have a friend of 47 years, who works for the Sheriff's Relief Association, sells most of the flashlights the deputies are carrying. This is where my information is coming from.
Deputies working in the "Custody Division" (Jail) are not allowed to carry full sized flashlights, which have been declared weapons. Streamlight Stingers and Pelican 7060's are favored by deputies there.
I have a friend of 47 years, who works for the Sheriff's Relief Association, sells most of the flashlights the deputies are carrying. This is where my information is coming from.
I carried three lights on night shift, and two on day shift. This was after getting into a life or death fight at night and my one and only flashlight broke.
I carried a small 2 cell light like a Elzetta Bravo, a rechargeable mid size light Streamlight stinger, and a full size light like the SL20.
A person above mentioned that they would carry a compact light and I thought that way too UNTIL I worked night shift. Try taking notes on a paper pad at night with a compact light. Note pad in left hand, pen in right hand, where do you put a compact light?? Litterally can't put it anywhere. A long light like a SL20 can be tucked under an arm and on low is perfect for taking notes.
I carried a small 2 cell light like a Elzetta Bravo, a rechargeable mid size light Streamlight stinger, and a full size light like the SL20.
A person above mentioned that they would carry a compact light and I thought that way too UNTIL I worked night shift. Try taking notes on a paper pad at night with a compact light. Note pad in left hand, pen in right hand, where do you put a compact light?? Litterally can't put it anywhere. A long light like a SL20 can be tucked under an arm and on low is perfect for taking notes.
Depending on how compact the light is, toss it in the mouth.
Though not ideal under some circumstances.
That doesn't work. You're taking notes which means you are asking questions. Can't do that with a flashlight stuffed in your mouth 😆
tech25
Flashlight Enthusiast
Or just clip it to the lapel pointing down at your hands
Toulouse42
Enlightened
I get that quite often. If possible I always attach a lanyard to my flashlights. The Eagtac design works really well. I find that it stops the flashlight slipping out of my hand.
