LAPD's blinding new flashlights too light to beat suspects

It's kind of sad when one of the main features being touted by the LAPD about its new flashlights is their inability to provide suspects with a good beating, but after that very public 2004 incident in which a motorist took 11 blows from a heavy 'torch,' we guess the new model's light weight is indeed an important selling point. The 10,000 Pelican 7060's that officers will soon begin carrying -- specifically designed for the department of Rodney King fame -- sport two separate power switches, a no-slip 'grenade grip,' cooling fins on the shaft, and 130 lumen LEDs that are said to be capable of momentarily blinding a non-compliant individual. Sounds like good news for criminals and the falsely-accused, but maybe not so great for that cop in the direct path of a raging meth-head; in those situations, we'd take the cold hard steel aluminum of our four D battery MagLite over a wimpy Pelican any day of the week.

[Via The New Zealand Herald]

[adam @ Jan 23rd 2009 6:56PM]

I just bought the "RaptorLite" at Costco. It advertises a sustained 100+ lumens for an hour, has spot to flood AND a built-in battery life indicator lcd screen! Oh, and it’s selling for $24.99. I’ve tried to figure out how long it’s been in Costco and why I haven’t heard of the company until now but came up dry. Anyone know if they have other flashlights and if any other stores carry them?

[Ken @ Apr 2nd 2007 12:40PM]

From what I remember, MagLites are aluminum.

[bpc @ Apr 2nd 2007 12:47PM]

Yeah, Maglites are aluminum, but with 4 D-cells (or 6, as are in my preferred light-stick-of-doom), it might as well be a lead pipe.

[Adrian Williams @ Apr 2nd 2007 12:59PM]

they can always taser the guy or girl

[Bob @ Apr 2nd 2007 1:12PM]

You all may not realiize just how bright these are. I have several (over 1k worth) of Surefire flashlights all abover 100 lumens and one that is 250 lumens. You can not focus on anything if this is shined in you eyes, the colored dots last for about 2 minutes.

Why carry around such a heavy flashlight when they have collapsable batons as well?

[PreGHz @ Apr 2nd 2007 1:31PM]

I guess it's back to pistol whipping for the boys in blue in LA.

[Jhim @ Apr 2nd 2007 2:09PM]

I'm wondering what the cooling fins are for? Most of my LEDs don't get all that warm......

[Matt @ Apr 2nd 2007 2:42PM]

Why, the cooling fins make it look cooler, of course.

[Matt @ Apr 2nd 2007 2:49PM]

Your average LED does not get very hot, but the LED's in high-powered flashlights NEED to be heatsinked properly or the will destroy themselves.

The specifications on this light state that it draws 4.7 watts of power durring normal operation, but the LED only outputs (at best) 1 watt of visible light, meaning that there is 3.7 watts of energy being wasted as heat and that heat has to go somewhere...

[MikeN @ Apr 2nd 2007 1:40PM]

I wouldn't exactly say that they're touting its light weight as "one of the main features". It has one line at the bottom of the article saying that the flashlight is half the weight of the unit it is replacing. Also, see the serrated bezel? Thats not for scratching your back.

Man, 150 Lumens is so bright, especially for an LED. My Surefire is 100, and it's painful to look at, especially if you're adjusted to dark.

[Mike @ Apr 2nd 2007 2:54PM]

It's true. We trust the LAPD officers to carry and utilize Assault rifles, shotguns, pistols, batons and tasers, but we don't trust them enough to let them carry heavy flashlights.

*Sigh*

[Long @ Apr 6th 2007 11:45AM]

When a cop uses their gun they have to file a report if they fire their weapons (something I learned from watching the Wire). With flashlights and stuff, they do not have to report.

[Al @ Apr 2nd 2007 1:48PM]

Where do I buy one?

[LukeA @ Apr 2nd 2007 8:27PM]

Are you sure you want to? They're $200 each.

[Mike @ Apr 2nd 2007 2:06PM]

All this change in torch means is shards of plastic stuck in a suspect instead of blunt force trauma...

[In Canada @ Apr 2nd 2007 2:11PM]

The 7060 LED will be available to the general public in June. More
information on Pelican's 7060 is available at http://www.pelican7060.com.

(from the P.R.)

[LOs @ Apr 2nd 2007 7:21PM]

You know it's funny that you all are complaining about the inability to use it as a weapon.

If I remember correctly the LAPD styill carries, Tasers, batons.... and what else..... oh yeah.. guns.... duhhhr

I don't think they'll have a problem with rampaging meth heads.

[RogerX @ Apr 2nd 2007 2:39PM]

If you still love your Mag: WalMart sells an 8 dollar 3-watt super bright LED for "all 2-6 cell Mag flashlights." It works well in my 4-cell Mag.

[Rat Bastard @ Apr 2nd 2007 2:45PM]

"Why carry around such a heavy flashlight when they have collapsable batons as well?"

Civilians in California aren't permitted to carry collapsable batons. No laws against keeping a 6 D-cell maglite in your car though. Makes a dandy club, and with the LED bulb, I no longer worry about ruining it's funtionality if I have to bludgeon someone with it. Hooray!

[ScreamingSkull @ Apr 2nd 2007 3:44PM]

Maybe it's lighter because um, all that crap on a belt has to get heavy and if you can cut weight someplace, it's a good thing.

[Mark @ Apr 2nd 2007 4:04PM]

Well since the flashlight is lighter the police should be able to swing it faster thus producing the same amount of force.

[myscrnnm @ Apr 2nd 2007 4:15PM]

Please. SureFire has been doing this for years.

[James @ Apr 2nd 2007 5:26PM]

"What, the cops used force inappropriately and severely beat a civilian?"

"Yes, with their flashlights."

"Oh, well clearly the flashlights are too big. Give them smaller ones."


Way to address the real issue, guys. Now cops that actually need to defend themselves are that much worse off, and the abusive cops have to spend the extra 30 seconds to find something else to beat people with. I bet somebody got a medal for coming up with this one.

[LAPD @ Apr 2nd 2007 6:24PM]

We no longer use flashlights to beat rowdy civies.
Preferred pacifier is the PR-24.
It has far better beating per square inch, plus you can go all ninja on his butt with it.

[Ben K @ Apr 2nd 2007 8:18PM]

Albuquerque had the same issue with flashlights years ago. I guess it is the Politically Correct opinion that if the police want to beat someone to death, they need to use their nightsticks, like God intended.

[Adam B. @ Apr 4th 2007 11:31AM]

The cooling fins are obviously for the lithium ion battery. Wouldn't want it exploding in an officer's hands or around his waist, now would we?

[bob @ Aug 18th 2007 5:13AM]

nah Adam, it's like the dude up the page said, these Luxeon LEDs get hot as an LAPD cop's trigger finger.

in retrospect you're actually making quite a funny joke, so I'll shut up now.

[thequinox @ Apr 3rd 2007 10:44AM]

What is wrong with you people. The flashlight was never intended to be a weapon. Sure if you have this big clunky aluminum stick on your belt, you might use it for defence, but that is not the point here. This is a long needed upgrade from those old peices of shit mags. I can't believe you gadget guys are complaining!