The flashlight made me do it.

[Highwayman]

LAPD to Get Smaller Flashlights in Response to Beating

Associated Press


Police will soon be outfitted with a cutting edge flashlight that is not only brighter than others, but too small to be used as a weapon.

The idea for the 7060 LED flashlight was conceived just days after news cameras broadcast images of LAPD officers beating car-theft suspect Stanley Miller with a two-pound, two-foot long standard issue police flashlight.

Police Chief William Bratton banned the large flashlights after Miller's 2004 beating and called for manufacturers to create a smaller, brighter flashlight.

The new 10-inch, $100 flashlight was developed and manufactured by the Torrance-based company Pelican to meet LAPD specifications. It will feature both a standard "patrol mode" and an ultra-light "tactical mode" that is bright enough to temporarily blind suspects.

Bratton is scheduled to unveil the new flashlights Friday.

Ramona Ripston, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California, praised the LAPD for the equipment change.

"It's a really important step in the right direction, and it's going to make a difference in how the police department deals with the community," she said. "We've always felt that a flashlight was not an instrument to beat people with. This new one will serve the purpose it was intended to."

LAPD to Get Smaller Flashlights in Response to Beating: Top News Stories at Officer.com

"eViL fLaShLiGhTs cAuSe mE tO bEaT pEoPlE"
It's not the cops, it's the flashlights.

[TexKan]

My son hasn't carried one of those "lake rods" for at least 2 years. LAPD that far behind the time? Actually the one he uses also fits on his gun. Pretty neat contraption. Those that LAPD are usin still looks bulky to me. Them boogers sure are bright tho!

[TigerEyes]

Thanks for reminding me! I need to get a new bracket for my LED streamlight flashlight at the state firefighter conference in a few weeks so it'll attach to my helmet again.