EmergencyTech.org

After the 2004 beating of suspect Stanley Miller by an LAPD officer wielding an 18-inch long flashlight, public outcry led the department to work with vendors to develop a replacement duty light.

A mere three years later we have the 7060 LED flashlight from Pelican. The light, which will be available to all of us non-LAPD types in June, promises two modes (tactical and patrol or, presumably, the ability to flash the light quickly or switch it on for longer periods), two switches (top and on the endcap), long batter life and blinding brightness.

The unprecedented partnership between Pelican and the LAPD kicked off two years of research and development. While the 7060’s features were determined by the specific needs of the LAPD, new technology was developed by Pelican and further improvements were made based on direct input from the Los Angeles Police Protective League. The result is a unique flashlight that is tremendously brighter than previous LAPD-issued lights, allowing officers to better establish if a suspect several feet away has a gun or other weapon in their hand. The LED lamp is extremely durable and never needs replacing — exceeding 10,000 hours of use, unlike conventional lamps, which fail after 30 hours of use. And the 7060’s 90 minutes of continuous battery life - with no loss in intensity compared to current flashlights that dim as the charge depletes - ensures police officers cover their beat armed with a powerful and long-lasting flashlight.

I think this kind of thinking is really valuable and, ultimately, that it leads to better products. We’ve all seen what a 3-D Maglite can do to someone and, well, it’s not pretty. This little beastie of a light, however, looks pretty bad ass.