Telescopic Baton as a multifunctional tool

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Telescopic Baton as a multifunctional tool

Monday, 31 July 2023
Telescopic Baton as a multifunctional tool

Nobody has to explain to anyone in a complicated and lengthy way what a telescopic baton is. Not only do many people carry it regularly for their protection, but it has also become a common piece of equipment for many of those who do their demanding work in the security sector. Intensive, very demanding and repeated tests have proven that one of the highest quality batons ever made is manufactured by ESP. The results of destructive tests of this Czech product are many times astonishing. Recently, this very compact and purposeful tool is gradually being equipped with a practical user set, which pushes the boundaries of practical possibilities and makes the telescopic baton almost a multifunctional tool. We had the opportunity to take part in the user trials of this fresh novelty - the "police tactical kit" - with the representatives of the Slovak company AFG.

BATON "OUT OF THE BAG"?

The advantages of the so-called "telescopes" are now quite obvious. Carrying of a small longitudinal object that can be instantly transformed by a rapid movement into a decent iron rod , is certainly an asset in the event of a dangerous violent confrontation. Many therefore carry permanently such a handy item on their belt, or at least put the baton in their pocket or bag if they know they will have to pass through troublesome areas, or will walk the dog in the dark. Telescopic batons also have their permanent place behind many apartment doors or in car doors. No wonder. After all, even to an individual of weaker physical constitution, a telescopic baton will give the ability to eliminate an aggressive and even considerably physically very strong person. This means that it even to a relatively untrained person in a way "adds" even dozens of pounds of muscles and years of training of martial arts. One could only slightly modify the well-known and classic saying (note: in the original it speaks about the Colt revolver): "God created men weak and strong, yet the telescopic baton eliminated this deficiency". The experience from the reality of the streets shows that with this object in hand, even a weak girl can become a very dangerous opponent in an instant. So, aggressors beware!

THE TELESCOPIC BATON, WHICH SERVES AND PROTECTS

Telescopic batons have long since become more than just a widespread and much favored tool of bouncers and members of the security services (who, unlike members of state institutions, do not have to go through a tender process to purchase their equipment). Their indisputable benefits (especially their storage capacity and efficiency) have understandably been recognized by the state security forces. Around the world, the so-called "telescope" is an increasingly common tool of law-and-order officers. The same is true in Slovakia, where these law enforcement devices of legendary quality are sold. Understandably, extendable batons are of course being implemented first in the most elite units of various states. In our neighbor Czech Republic, it was in the Rapid Deployment Unit (URNa), the President's Bodyguards, the Air plane escorts and the regional Strike Units. Today, the list of units using this practical device not only increasingly expands, but according to many signs there is even starting to be an across-the-board replacement in the rank-and-file units - currently in Prague, even police officers "from the street" - members of the Emergency Motorized Unit, Line 158, are equipped with ESP batons. Also in Slovakia, where similar equipment is becoming a "helper of the law", so far mainly special police forces and special units are being equipped. Here, too, they have already found that the steel baton not only provides more protection to intervening police officers in the face of increasingly determined and violent offenders, but paradoxically also saves the health of those being intervened against (indeed, according to the findings, many injuries and even deaths have occurred when plastic batons have been used because of  the lightweight blows that were not sufficient for quick disarming - the intervening policemen therefore not only had to increase the number and impact of blows, but also, due to their immediate ineffectiveness, they also delivered blows to the head and other sensitive areas... This then was a problem.). It's simple - if I break a rapist's limb with one swing of the "telescope", I don't have to keep hitting him. In short, the trend is clear, steel leads and so let the criminals tremble...

SERVICE TACTICAL KIT

However, the telescopic baton is not only used as a mean for strikes or for diverting and fixing techniques. Thanks to its incredible resilience, it can also be used in situations where it is vital to remove an obstacle, be it a window or door, to get into a car, etc. A newly developed practical set of very useful accessories also serves other purposes.

The extendable baton section can now also serve as a support system for the insertion of a special tactical mirror, which serves both to search high-risk areas and gives the possibility of pyrotechnical inspection of poorly accessible parts of a building or the underside of a suspect vehicle. Instead of the standard end cap, the end of the baton can be fitted with a powerful LED flashlight. This can withstand rough handling, is impact and water resistant. Its illumination life is several tens of hours of operation. It is possible to light it (or dazzle a potential offender) and at the same time have the baton ready for lightning-fast use.

A special plastic swiveling holder with an adjustable suspension system has been developed especially for members of the security forces. The self-locking design allows for quick drawing, without the risk of the baton falling out during normal activities.

As we had the opportunity to see for ourselves, this police tactical kit - baton, holder, flashlight and mirror, was subjected to intensive testing. We were curious to see how this special kit would stand up to the harsh conditions that mimic the roughest treatment, many times exceeding the demands of normal use. The extensive assessment, which included sometimes very destructive experiments indeed, was carried out by a team of several experts from different parts of the security sector. Although nobody was too hopeful at the beginning, the results were more than satisfactory. Not only the baton, but also the accessories can therefore be recommended to anyone who wants to have a means at hand for their demanding and dangerous duty that will not fail. He will be able to rely on them, and perhaps he may sometimes, in an extreme situation, owe his health and life to them...

MEMBERS OF THE PRAGUE RIOT SQUAD WITH BATON ESP

The ESP tactical LED flashlight can be quickly and easily installed on the opposite end of the baton. The three diodes emit a surprisingly intense light that helps to make it safer to check dangerous areas, vehicles or persons. As has been proven "in the field" many times, when "at night" checking the person in question, the illumination can sufficiently dazzle and disorientate the person. When attempting to attack police officers, it is then usually no problem to effectively eliminate the opponent with a prepared baton. Additionally, the folded baton looks like a normal longer flashlight and the quick ejection with the following blow is usually surprising even for an experienced criminal. 

RESISTANCE OF THE FLASHLIGHT

The ESP system has survived not only baton blows to hard material without damage, but also numerous folding of the baton against the ground. We tried smashing the ballistic polycarbonate front lens with a hammer on an asphalt surface. Even two vigorous blows (with a pointed edge!) were not enough to shatter the material. The test also verified the durability of the sources. It was shocking that after about 150 hours of continuous operation, the flashlight was still able to function. Even after this time, it would still be possible to see the face and hands of a suspicious person in total darkness, for example, or to check a dark staircase! 

TACTICAL MIRROR

As we have had the opportunity to see for ourselves, a tactical mirror is a very practical and useful piece of equipment. It comes in two versions - a large service version and a smaller concealed carry version. Mounting on the end of the baton is fast thanks to the sophisticated clamping; even with sharp movements, the mirror did not fall off afterwards. For carrying the mirror there is a protective holder, which thanks to a metal clip can be fixed anywhere on the belt, equipment straps or tactical vest. 

PLASTIC POLICE HOLDER

Thanks to the quick-release system, it easily yet securely fixes to any duty belt. The selectable position design gives the user the option of any inclination of the baton, which not only allows for a quick and reliable grip on the handle, but also for trouble-free carrying in other positions, e.g. sitting in a vehicle. The self-locking system gives the possibility of a quick draw. We tested the holder very intensively on a tortuous obstacle course, where during the entire activity (climbing, crawling and jumping from more than 4 meters!) there was no dropping of the baton or breaking of the holder's clamping. Nevertheless, there is still a special safety on this special "holster against accidental loss or attempted retrieval by another person. This ESP product is now, as can be seen from the photo, used not only by many security forces of many EU countries, but also elsewhere in the far corners of the world.

TELESCOPIC BATON

Telescopes are becoming more and more common in the fight against crime and criminality in Slovakia as well. A special course for PZ instructors suggests that pulling a drunk driver out of a vehicle with this new equipment is literally a matter of seconds.

POLICE SET

Members of the Special Operations Group of the Army of the Czech Republic equipped with ESP set. On the surface of the mirror, the reflection clearly shows a weapon in the hands or the head of a person taking cover at a distance of more than 15 meters behind the obstacle. With the tactical mirror it is possible to check the critical area around the corner quite easily, to detect the position of an enemy shooter or to carry out a pyrotechnic search of a suspicious vehicle or a search of less accessible areas of a building (here especially in combination with the mentioned additional part of the set - the ESP LED flashlight). This is used not only by many members of various task forces, but also by many members of foreign missions.

 

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