Q: 

I work in a prison so we don't have to worry about gun retention, we're unarmed. But I always take the biggest Maglight flashlight available to [calls] for perimeter intruders/escapees, as almost always they turn out to have knives or shivs. (The steel chair leg I used to keep handy was a bit hard to explain away). Any advice on the use of an offensive flashlight would be much appreciated.

A:

I'm a big proponent of using a C-cell Maglight or similar flashlight as an impact weapon. I still advocate it for civilians, however, my agency has placed BIG restrictions on using a flashlight as an impact weapon. Basically, we are not allowed to. So, I now use the small SureFire flashlight as my primary light and use the crown to hit with in a hammerfist motion. This works great for me and can be transferred to using the bottom of your radio, cell phone or the butt plate of your handgun.

The advantage of using a C-cell flashlight is that the diameter of the barrel is similar to that of a regular straight baton.

"Offensive" or "defensive" uses of the flashlight directly correspond to the offensive or defensive uses of the baton. Both are impact weapons once employed in that mode. So your agency policies or local laws prevail here. In other words, if your agency does not allow you to direct your baton to certain areas --like head, spine, groin, open wounds or to the stomach area of pregnant females -- then you will not be able to direct strikes to those areas with your flashlight.

One advantage that the flashlight has is that the beam of light can be used to distract or dazzle the opponent. There are various techniques where the light precedes the impact. Just remember the phrase, "flash and bash" and you'll pretty much get the picture.

One distinct technique that I really like is to start with your Maglight tucked under your arm, light pointed toward the subject (I've heard this described as "Shield Ready" since it is close to your badge). Grip the flashlight with palm in, little finger toward the suspect. This is a position that you will often use when you are holding the light to illuminate your clipboard as you write in the field. It also has the advantage of not looking very aggressive.

To deploy:

Suddenly shine the light directly into the subjects' eyes. Then, circle the butt end of the flashlight out from under your armpit and rotate it up like an uppercut to land on top of your shoulder. You can think of it as a reverse twirl. Your motion is to clip the suspect under the chin with the butt end of the flashlight as it comes up.

In reality, I've never actually hit anyone with the butt end. What happens is that the flash of light and the unexpected movement of the light rotating up and around causes people to instinctively jerk their heads back or away. Often their hands come up in a reflexive action. It's relatively easy to now strike in a downward arc since the barrel of the flashlight is up on your shoulder. You can also move to the side of the subject or close to clinch with the subject when he moves his head.

Good luck.

Brad Parker