What makes a good police torch?
During police operations, torches sometimes have to withstand a lot of stress: falls, blows, heat or cold and moisture. When choosing a torch, therefore, pay attention to these basic characteristics:
- High luminous flux of at least 600 lumens
- Sturdy, shock-resistant housing made of aluminium or shatterproof plastic
- High IP protection class, recommended: IP68 (dustproof and permanently waterproof)
- Focusing, i.e. concentrating the light beam on a point in the distance
- Wide light beam for area illumination of the scene
- SOS mode: Can be used to send a distress signal in dangerous situations.
- Strobe mode: Function used to irritate and/or ward off attackers.
Operating a police torch with gloves
The layout and size of the switches on the torch must be such that you can operate them even when wearing gloves. The following features are helpful in this regard:
- Large switches and buttons in general, especially on the long side and back of torches
- Smooth-running focus system for switching between close-range and long-range light
- Helpful: A memory function so that the torch immediately starts in the last mode set after being switched off.
Police torch with attachment options
Your torch must be able to be attached to your equipment, i.e. vest or utility belt, and remain securely in place, even when running, making an arrest or in a scuffle.
However, it must be possible to detach the attachment securely and easily as soon as you need the torch.
- Torch with clip for your belt
- Torch with pouch or holster
- Angle light with attachment option for your jacket and equipment
When on duty, police officers sometimes have to make quick decisions and keep a watchful eye on their surroundings. Difficult lighting conditions make police work more difficult, and there are also situations in which officers have to secure initial evidence at a crime scene or defend themselves against attackers.
A robust torch is therefore an essential piece of equipment for the police. The best flashlight for police and emergency services is robust and made of corrosion-resistant and durable material, such as shock- and break-resistant aluminium. A torch for the police can be easily switched on and off even when wearing gloves, is dimmable and has various light modes.
What are the features of good police flashlight?
Find out at a glance the features you should look for when buying a police flashlight.
- Brightness and luminous range: when the police activity involves searching a dark building or cordoning off a street at night, a police flashlight should have a reliable light source, such as an LED, and be able to provide multiple brightness levels. High brightness is also crucial. The flashlight must produce a luminous flux of around 600 lumens to illuminate a crime scene within a radius of several meters.
- Robustness and resistance: the housing on a police flashlight must be shock and impact resistant, so it can be used to break glass or for self-defense.
- Size, weight and handling: not too big and heavy, and also not too short and lightweight is the rule of thumb for the ideal police flashlight. 200 to 300 grams is ideal, so the flashlight can be easily carried in a holster on a belt without getting in the way. Handling is also important. The flashlight must fit well in the hand and have a non-slip surface. The switches and adjustable focus wheels must be easy to operate, even when police officers are wearing gloves in winter or when searching for evidence.
How much do police torches cost?
In our shop, you will find tactical torches with rechargeable batteries and LEDs for the police for between 100€ and 300€.
A high-quality police torch offers you high luminosity of 1,000 lumens and more, a robust housing, high reliability and a long burn time. Due to its high quality and careful workmanship, a strobe torch for police and other emergency services, for example, is slightly more expensive to manufacture. This is also reflected in the retail price, which is higher than that of a conventional torch for civilian use.
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Conclusion: What is the best police flashlight?
The best torch for the police combines a variety of functions and features. Regardless of the area of application, a police torch must be able to shine for many hours and have a high luminosity.
Depending on the model, these LED torches can shine several hundred metres, making them suitable for the coastguard.
It is also important that a tactical LED torch for the police has a robust housing that allows it to be used as a glass breaker. It is also useful if the switches are easy to operate and the weight is neither too high nor too low. Additional functions such as a strobe or SOS mode also support and protect officers on duty.
Although there is no official police torch, there are a number of Ledlenser models that meet the tough requirements of police work. Use the numerous filter functions in our shop to find the right tactical torch for your needs.
Police torch – Frequently asked questions and answers
Police officers work in all weather conditions, often at night and in unclear situations. A professional police torch ensures safe illumination of locations, facilitates the search for evidence, supports identity checks and increases personal safety. Particularly robust, bright and easy-to-use torches are used for this purpose.
For police operations, a minimum of 600 lumens has become standard in order to safely illuminate buildings, paths or crime scenes in the immediate vicinity. Many modern LED models are significantly brighter than this and offer several brightness levels.
Operations often take place in the rain. In addition, the torch may come into contact with dust. Therefore, torches with at least IP54, or better still IP68, are suitable to ensure that the torch functions reliably.
The strobe mode emits very rapid flashes of light. It is primarily used to temporarily distract a person, create distance and thus defuse potentially conflictual situations. It is used for self-defence and de-escalation.
Yes, the term ‘police torch’ describes the application class of a torch, not legally protected equipment. High-quality models, such as those used by the police and security services, are available from Ledlenser.