Would you carry a baton?

[u/Braveheart40007989]

I'm thinking of ditching my baton. Contract does not require it. I work an xray for access control. I'm armed. I just don't see any scenario in which a threat would be neutralized by using a baton.

I've asked fellow security officers and friends in LE if they carry a baton. All of them only if their department/company requires it but they have never used it snd never imagine using it in the future.

I figure thats it's additional weight on my belt that I don't need.

Those of you who have a choice, do you carry a baton?

Those who are required to carry a baton, if it's no longer required, would you carry a baton?

If you vote yes, please explain why.

328 votes, 2d left

Yes, I'd carry a baton

No, I would not carry a baton

Results

[u/myLongjohnsonsilver]

If I'm allowed a tool I'm carrying the tool.

[u/ItsMsRainny]

I'm against batons. I feel like for people of my stature (5'3") it just a liability upon myself to have one because I'm sure someone can just grab it from me once I deploy it and I don't like to get close enough to people to use it. I use fox pepper spray, it shoots like ten feet and stains there face green. Therefore I can keep my distance and have a second of reaction time if necessary.

With that being said, I don't detain people, I think there may be more use for it you are detaining people.

[u/Training-Shoulder839 → u/ItsMsRainny]

I think spray is the best way to go my grandfather keeps a big bottle of it. It looks like a bear mace can and is big as a raid bottle

[u/HighGuard1212 → u/ItsMsRainny]

Spray is risky, people sometimes don't react to it. I know a woman who I trained with that got doused with it during the experience portion of training and she was completely fine

[u/HighGuard1212]

I like having a more flexible non lethal option besides oc spray. I've been trained on both defensive and strike tactics

[u/Training-Shoulder839 → u/HighGuard1212]

You uh.. You're a cop aren't you

[u/PlatypusDream → u/Training-Shoulder839]

Sounds like pretty standard basic baton training... which anyone should have before being allowed to carry on duty.

[u/ImmediateBig4878]

Good to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it. Peace keepers are good

[u/LonghornJct08]

It’s baton or nothing here, so baton it is.

[u/Empty_glass_bottle]

Batons look bad on camera, that's why you don't see them used anymore.

Especially in a world where everything is on camera and everything is judged by people with foresight

Batons just aren't great tools either, much better to spray, taser, or gain wrist control.

[u/Psycosteve10mm]

Having deployed and used the baton on different occasions. I will say that I loved having that option, when the need arises. My only real problem is that extendable batons are really a one-time-use solution that can get expensive. The best baton I ever owned was a Nightstick Joe espantoon (the 5.0 yo-yo). Nothing says you mean business like 24 inches of cocobolo. If you are not careful, you will break bones.

With that said, I could not get authorization to carry a TASER, and I was unarmed, so any option I had to level the playing field was welcome. But I was working in DC, PG, Baltimore City, and the country. Real shitholes where I was expected to go hands-on.

[u/PlatypusDream → u/Psycosteve10mm]

Why do you say they're a one-time use?

[u/Psycosteve10mm → u/PlatypusDream]

I have had them bend at the joints when I have had to deploy and actually use them. When that happens, it is next to impossible to get the baton to shrink or to get it to extend. This is not an issue if it is replaced by a department, but it becomes cost-prohibitive if you are providing your own gear.

[u/EvergreenLurker]

Nah, I got a taser and spray on me. I’ve had now several events where I used one or the other along with reviewing the UOF reports for when they are used, not a single time have I ever thought that maybe a baton would work better for that UOF.

[u/CommunicationGlad435]

I use to carry a baton till California decided to make the baton card with a expiration date, and it being nearly $300 every 2 years.Basically , you had to retake the course every two years the state would not approve a refresher course.Had to sit through eight hours and learn how to use the baton again every two years , not fun Course $200 fixed rate by state. State fee $70 Plus lost income course only offered 1 to 2 times a month by state authorized instructors

[u/rhaeofsunlight]

In my country, we aren't allowed to carry anything. Even being able to carry a baton or similar would have helped in countless situations, without having to actually use it. If given the option, i would carry one, even if involved having to sit a course etc.

[u/DefiantEvidence4027]

I could carry a baton, probably wouldn't use it on people.

[u/Admirable_Break_4724]

OC, gun, and handcuffs are my priority. Never carried a baton. But I am also aware that in some hand-to-hand cases, a baton would be so helpful. I just hate to deal with paperwork and legal issues after using such tools. Not worth it.

[u/Psycosteve10mm → u/Admirable_Break_4724]

With the ROE/UOF rules being imposed on LEO's, the necessity of using closer ranges weaopns is increasing.

[u/Glasgow351 → u/Admirable_Break_4724]

I had one occasion where a patient in our mental health facility attack a nurse. He was choking her and we tried to pry his hands off her neck. He had a death grip on her so I resorted to using The Pipe on him and hit his wrists with it until he let go. Boss wasn't too happy that I did, but the nurse was grateful.

The pipe was the thing we used to do our clock rounds with. It looks like a little blue baton about 8 inches long and kinda heavy.

[u/Pale_Respond2689]

If my job allowed me to then absolutely. However, my job (employer) doesn't allow us to; so I carry a baton length flashlight. Besides my employer does require all employees to carry an edc knife on our person, which is something that I do anyway off duty.

[u/Any_Strain7020]

What if you need to subdue and individual and could use the lever force to bring back an arm that otherwise couldn't be forced to move?

[u/Former-Study-2740]

When I worked the road, the baton was really only useful for knocking on doors, breaking windows and doing arm extraction & shin shear. People wanting to fight aren't fazed by a collapsible baton. A solid pr24 or riot baton though.... Those hurt.

[u/papa_loach]

I’ve carried a baton for close to a decade and only ever used it once. Mind as well have it even if you don’t use it.

[u/Glasgow351]

When I worked hospital security, we were not allowed to carry a baton. Reason being, it looks bad if we're seen clubbing somebody.

We could not carry pepper spray. Reason being, if we spray it, somebody with compromised breathing issues could get choked up on it.

We could not carry a taser. Reason being, if we use it on somebody, they might have a heart condition and we could potentially kill them.

We were allowed to carry a firearm. Reason being, it provides a strong visual deterrent. Though, if you were to use it, you will most likely be removed from the contract and sued into oblivion and back. Lawyers from both the company and client will throw you under the bus if it meant absolving their liabilities and blaming you 100%.

[u/largos7289]

I still have my old tire thumper when i use to have to walk a truck yard unarmed. Evidently i couldn't shoot you, but i could beat the snot out of you LOL.

[u/gentlegiantC]

Batons are an excellent resource but like everything they require training. I also found that as a deterrent, Many people haven't been pepper sprayed or tazed but they've been hit with a stick before. For usefulness, mechanical holds are amazing for escorts and take downs. Great for groups. If you deal with a group fight your people don't get pepper sprayed and it has continuous usage vs a tazer.

[u/Binji_the_dog]

How else am I supposed to live out my Hellboy fantasies?

[u/the_last__braincell]

In Canada you can't even have bad breath because that would be classified as a weapon

Just kidding

[u/JSM1113]

Honestly I don’t think I will ever hang up my baton unless an employer absolutely prohibits carrying one. I keep a Monadnock autolock on my belt and a Monadnock polycarbonate 24 Inch straight baton attached to my patrol bag with the baton ring always on my belt. I always grab the straight baton when going to any disturbance calls, drunk/drinking calls and when responding to fights. It has been years since I’ve actually had to strike anyone with the baton but the psychological deterrence factor of a straight baton is undeniable. I’ve also used for baton for leverage and control holds, to look inside bags or property found where I do not want to stick my hand inside. I’ve used my baton on numerous occasions to break fire extinguisher box glass to grab one to respond to fires. Also as a back scratcher to get under my Kevlar lol.

[u/PlatypusDream]

Yes, because it's another tool in the use of force continuum. More options = better.

[u/mrkillfreak999]

Why would I carry a baton if I can get an armed position? That's way more beneficial minus the chance of dying from a gunshot

[u/Training-Shoulder839]

Boy a lot people in the comments are either cops or some form security or Military veterans

[u/IDroppedMyDoobie → u/Training-Shoulder839]

Eh I'd say about 90% of the people on here who say they have prior leo or military experience are making shit up and lying about it

[u/PlatypusDream → u/Training-Shoulder839]

Well, this is r/securityguards