the Gladius is one of my favorite lights. i have LEOs in the family, but am not one myself, so i hesitate commenting on some aspects of this discussion.
the Gladius is probably not brighter overall (i own both, but haven't done a side-by-side comparison b/t the two lights you mention).
the Gladius has a nice tight spot and excellent throw. it seems to be a real shooter's light.
the UI, especially being able to PRE-select (after the light is turned on to its default level -or- MAX level depending upon how you program it to turn on) either a blinding MAX output -or- an extremely disorienting strobe from the selector ring would seem, to my naive way of thinking, to be quite important in some tactical situations. the initial turn-on mode may also be preselected by means of the UI/mode ring before the light is turned on, as well.
so, if accessing MAX brightness or STROBE from either an ON or an OFF state is important to you for "safety" (to use your term) reasons, then the Gladius ought to be given serious consideration, IMO - even if its overall Lumen output is less (it still does throw quite excellently due to its tighter spot).
soon, i'll be purchasing another one with the Cree upgrade for increased brightness. the upgraded Gladius will probably then replace quite a few other lights in terms of my preference for use.
this same course, i.e. the upgraded Gladius for ~$225 might be your best course of action.
I have read that all of you advice the Gladius Night ops. We have a Inova T4 from the police for all officers. The Lumapower is smaller then the Inova T4 but has the same brightness!.
The only problem is the case for the Lumapower M1, I use a Radar pouch, but this is to big for the M1. I filled it up, now it fits. But it is not ideal.
The Lumapower MRV is bigger and will fits into the Radar Pouch, but than I have to buy another Lumapower.
I want a real police light for my own safety.
but is the normal Gladius Night ops brighter than my Lumapower M1 hunter (cree led)???.