Best Law Enforcement Flashlights - Investigatory Report

It’s really interesting to investigate what police officers are looking for in their flashlights. One thing that is indisputable is the importance of a flashlight for a law enforcement officer. While there are some features that remain necessary for law enforcement flashlights, many officers choose what they need the most. So let’s take a look at some of the features that many law enforcement officers need no matter the situation.

Durable LED Flashlight

Regardless of the size or type of flashlight a law enforcement officer chooses, it’s expected that the flashlight can handle different environments and temperatures, take a beating, and still work just as well as the day it was purchased. Many high-end flashlights will be waterproof or water resistant, impact resistant, and will have a body design for optimal heat distribution to ensure the flashlight does not overheat and damage itself.

Aluminum is a great choice for a durable flashlight because it has great heat dissipation and will work in all kinds of weather. Not to mention that many of the aluminum flashlights will have a hard anodized finish so it’ll be tough to scratch up and ding your flashlight.

Self-Defense Strobe Mode

A strobe mode is helpful in a myriad of ways. While some dispute the necessity of a flashlight with a strobe mode, no one can deny its usefulness in extreme situations. Let’s talk about the strobe mode a little bit. I know we cover the strobe mode quite a bit in our blogs (and will continue to do so), but it’s for a good reason. First of all, when an attacker is facing a strobing light they will find it more difficult to coordinate any physical movement thus hindering any violent action they might have planned on carrying out. Also, the attacker will not be able to identify the officer’s physical attributes, location or movements. So while using the strobe mode, an officer can more easily advance on an attacker in order to subdue and arrest them.

Different Brightness Levels for LED Flashlight

Interestingly enough, law enforcement officers aren't necessarily looking for the brightest flashlight. In fact, since a lot of their job entails looking at drivers’ licenses, searching cars, and reading and writing tickets, they don’t always need a ton of brightness. It’s more important to have a variety so different brightness levels is a must. A low brightness level is sufficient for reading driver's licenses and writing tickets and with that low brightness level the officer saves the battery life.

Personalized Law Enforcement Flashlights

Ok so now that we see the common features in law enforcement flashlights, let’s talk a bit about personalized flashlights. For example, while some officers may prefer a larger flashlight like the Klarus XT15, others may prefer a small flashlight like the Klarus Upgraded XT1C that can easily fit on a pistol. It really just depends on what the law enforcement officer prefers or what would best suit his or her needs.

Best LED Flashlight Accessories

Depending on what an officer is looking for will greatly depend on the flashlight accessories they will choose. For example, if an officer is wanting a flashlight for their pistol then it is important to find a flashlight that can be mounted on a weapon and find a gun mount. Diffusers and filters may also be needed or preferred for some officers. Some flashlights will come with these accessories while others are just compatible with these accessories.

One essential accessory that most officers prefer would be the holster. Thankfully, most flashlights will come with a holster already, but it’s always important to check. Pocket clips are also incredibly useful and can replace the holster for some. Another common accessory that flashlights come with are lanyards. Many officers may find this useful in carrying the flashlight around and ensuring that it doesn’t drop.

Size and Weight of Flashlight

We already covered this a tiny bit above, but let’s get into a little more detail now. While some officers prefer the heavy duty flashlights that tend to be larger and weigh more others prefer compact and lightweight flashlights. For example, one officer prefers a bigger flashlight that has a long battery life and can be used as an “improvised baton.” It’s a myth that law enforcement officers only want tactical flashlights because this isn’t always the case. While some officers may like the tactical body design others may prefer a more linear design.

Another consideration is whether or not to have a strike bezel. While strike bezels make excellent self-defense tools, they can be bulky (depending on the flashlight) and many officers may feel they are not necessary. While some flashlights have a bezel crafted right into the body design others may have removable bezels or none at all. However, the bezel can be a truly effective tool for self-defense and that’s something to keep in mind.

Rechargeable Flashlights and Battery Options

Battery options are important for law enforcement officers to consider. If an officer is wanting brightness and power then disposable CR123 or rechargeable 18650 batteries should be considered. However, if an officer just needs a flashlight of convenience, then there is always the option of a AA or AAA battery powered flashlight. It can be irritated using disposable batteries, however, especially if an officer is working many nights. It can also be annoying to purchase a battery charger for rechargeable flashlights. Officers also have the option of using a rechargeable flashlight which can be extraordinarily convenient since they won’t have to worry about purchasing a charger or continually changing the batteries.

We covered a lot of ground here today. Law enforcement flashlights can vary from size to brightness to accessories. When searching for the best law enforcement flashlights you definitely have the basic features that the flashlight should have, but a lot of it just depends on what you really want to use the flashlight for and what feels the most comfortable for you.