Purchase of New Batons

Following a review of the batons currently issued to police officers it has been recommended that the current gravity friction lock baton and the current public order level 2 be replaced by the positive lock baton.

The DMPC is asked to:

Agree that the Metropolitan Police make a one-off purchase of 19,000 positive lock batons to be issued to all frontline police officers. The cost is £2,052,000.

1. Introduction and background

1.1. We are proud that our country continues to be protected by a police service that is predominantly unarmed. That is a testament to the professionalism and skill of our police officers.

1.2. However, we ask police officers to confront violence, aggression and danger on our behalf and sometimes the use of force by the police is unavoidable in resolving these situations. It is part of our duty to our police officers to ensure that we give them the equipment they need to keep themselves and others safe.



1.3. Batons are one element in the continuum of force available to police officers in protecting the public and maintaining law and order. At present, police officers have the choice between two different batons: the gravity friction lock baton and the public order level 2 acrylic baton. Most officers choose the gravity friction lock baton as its concertina action makes it more practical. However, this baton is unsuitable for public order duty, and consequently those officers trained for public order work may be issued with both types of batons.

1.4. There are concerns over the gravity friction lock baton in that it can collapse in on itself while deployed, so increasing the danger in the situation that the officer is addressing.

1.5. Several other Forces have made the switch to the positive lock baton already. This baton has been well received by officers, and in appearance it is very similar to the existing baton.

2. Issues for consideration

2.1. If officers have cause to deploy their batons, they must have confidence in that baton being able to function correctly. The current gravity friction lock baton has been known to collapse when deployed – rendering them ineffective. This is clearly unacceptable.

2.2. The current level 2 baton measures 26” long, and the gravity friction lock baton measures 21”. The new positive lock baton will be available in three sizes – 26” (which would be the standard issue), a 21” version and a short version for covert use.

2.3. It is clear that a longer baton can exert more force, however, given the current public order level 2 baton is the same length as the new positive lock baton this should not be seen as setting a new precedent.

2.4. In terms of tactics, particularly in regard to the nature of the threat, enabling all officers to have the longer positive lock baton, rather than the gravity friction lock baton, means that officers can maintain greater distance between them and the aggressor. Greater distance means that the safety of the officer is increased, as is the safety of the public.

2.5. The appearance of the new baton is very similar to the current gravity baton, and it is the experience of other Forces that have issued the new baton that they go unnoticed by the public.

2.6. In addition, the new ‘use of force ‘recording process enables the Service, better than ever before to examine the use of batons and the tactics deployed, together with injury caused, if any. The use of body worn video in most of these situations provides further ability to supervise, oversee, and learn the lessons from the use of force including the use of batons.

3. Financial Comments

3.1. The money for this purchase is available by use of the reserve.

4. Legal Comments

4.1. The police use of force including the use of batons were appropriate is well established in law.

5. Equality Comments

5.1. The new ‘use of force’ recording process and body worn video increases the ability of Police, Authorities and the public to hold those who use Force to account, including in assessing whether there is disproportionality in the use of these tactics. It is not expected that altering the type of baton used will have any effect on current usage levels or the practice of usage.