When I started this law enforcement adventure, less lethal or non-deadly force meant CS or CN chemical spray, which didn’t work; polycarbonate batons, which were mostly left in the patrol car; and four- or five-cell D-battery aluminum flashlights, which did work but, due to a lack of training, frequently resulted in lacerations to a suspect’s head.
As time and technology advanced in less lethal control, pepper spray (oleoresin capsaicin or OC) came on the scene. Over the years it’s been estimated that OC is around 80% successful in controlling subjects. Certainly, committed or adrenalized individuals can fight through the burning effects of pepper spray on the skin, but it does reduce a subject’s ability to see while also impairing their breathing.
Kinetic energy impact munitions have made dramatic improvements in accuracy and reduced injury potential. Whether fired from a 12-gauge shotgun in beanbag form or from a 37 or 40 mm launcher, impact munitions hit hard and can be used at close or extended range. The increased accuracy of today’s projectiles means we can target large muscle groups on a suspect vs. the skip-fired or inaccurate “knee knockers” of yesteryear.
The electronic control weapons or devices (ECW) category is led by Taser International. Stun guns manufactured by a variety of other companies aren’t deployed by American law enforcement to any significant degree. Although other companies have attempted to offer ECWs that can be fired, they’re usually propelled by black powder, which makes them a firearm under ATF classification.
Finally, we come to the good old baton. Whether expandable or polycarbonate, the baton is still carried and deployed by police in this country. Training programs have improved tremendously since my time as a deputy sheriff routinely working at a large outdoor concert facility with my aluminum D-sized Maglite. In addition, expandable batons allow an impact weapon to be carried on the duty belt and not left back in the car stuck under the driver’s seat.
Let’s take a closer look at some of today’s less lethal options, in no particular order.
Kimber
The JPX Jet Protector from Kimber is an unusual OC control weapon. The double barrel, side by side JPX “fires” two jets, or balls, of pepper product at a velocity of 270 mph. The JPX is accurate to 21 feet and hits hard. When I first reviewed this product a few years ago, I spoke to representatives of an Arizona sheriff’s office who had deployed the JPX in their corrections facility. According to the captain I spoke to at the time, one violent inmate begged to not be hit by the JPX after the first incident. The JPX has a laser sight as well as an under-barrel picatinny rail to facilitate mounting a small white light.
For use by plainclothes or off-duty officers, Kimber also markets the PepperBlaster II. Flat enough to slide into a rear pants pocket, the PepperBlaster’s design has changed from the original model and is now more “pistol like,” with a small grip and sights to make it more accurate. The PepperBlaster II can fire two “balls” of 10% OC with 2.4% capsaicinoid product into the face of an attacker, covering them from their chest to the top of their heads, at a distance out to 13 feet.
This year, Kimber introduced a black Cordura belt carry case, a thermo-plastic belt clip and a red laser aiming device, each for less than $25. The Cordura case comes with a snap cover to carry your PepperBlaster II discreetly but also keeps it instantly accessible. The belt clip allows the PepperBlaster II to be carried for a strong-side or cross draw. The laser clip improves aim and also functions as a control tool to demonstrate your intent to a suspect.
My experience with the Kimber team is that they’re some of the nicest people in the industry and, whether handguns or less lethal, they make some great products.
Sage Control Ordnance
Sage manufactures chemical munitions as well as launchers in both 37 and 40 mm. The Ace is Sage’s single-shot launcher. The Deuce is an over/under double barrel, side-opening less lethal launcher. The Deuce features great ergonomics and options for quick-firing two-chemical or impact munitions. The newer BML-37 is a box-fed 37 mm launcher that allows an officer to quickly apply multiple crowd control or impact munitions to a large group of rioters.
Sage’s 37 or 40 mm line of munitions include hard tip baton, soft tip baton, chemical barricade, multi-ball area impact, CS irritant smoke, white and colored smoke, muzzle blast, OC muzzle blast and training rounds for many of these. For riot control, Sage has smoke grenades in addition to CS and a variety of aerosol OC sprays, from riot size to personal defense for line officers or corrections.
Sabre
Quality control and innovative design have long been the hallmark of Sabre. I carry the small Spitfire keychain-sized OC spray projector in the pocket of my coat for an off-duty or plainclothes less lethal option. The small Spitfire sprays out a cone of the excellent Sabre Red product (10% OC, 2 million Scoville Heat Units; 1.33% capsaicinoid content). The Sabre Crossfire is the mainstay of its LE line with the ability to fire regardless of can orientation and also features its very hot Sabre Red chemical spray.
We all know how hot fresh wasabi mustard can be. Sabre Green, which contains wasabi, is promoted as producing quick incapacitation but also quick decon times. It comes in stream, cone, foam or gel configurations.
Zarc International
The combination of kinetic-energy impact munitions and pepper products is typified by the Vexor launcher from Zarc International. Zarc’s product is an OC formula in a gelatin form. What’s nice about these types of products: They can be direct-fired onto a suspect or inmate, or—in case of a cell extraction and an inmate barricading behind a mattress or under a bunk—they can be bounced off the floor or fired into the ceiling to drop product onto the subject. Powered by CO2, the Vexor looks more like a paintball marker. Range is good out to 60 feet and the capsaicin content is listed at 2%. Inert practice balls are available for training.
New in 2013 from Zarc: The Micro-Spin OC projector, which “spins” the OC spray. Zarc representatives state Micro-Spin can cover a suspect’s face in one burst.
AMTEC Less Lethal Systems (Formerly ALS)
ALS is now owned by a new company and goes by the name AMTEC Less Lethal Systems. ALS has a large inventory of stun and diversionary devices. It also manufactures chemical irritant sprays, including the Top Cop line as well as the CQB product line, with all manner of spray sizes. The Top Cop is listed at 1.33% capsaicin content with the CQB listed at 0.69 capsaicin level. AMTEC Less Lethal Systems also offers a large variety of grenade, 37 and 40 mm riot projectiles as well as impact munitions in 12 gauge, 37 and 40 mm.
AMTEC Less Lethal Systems just recently opened a new training center in Perry, Fla., complete with all manner of mock cell structures, ranges and training facilities—even a bunkhouse. The company offers courses such as Basic SWAT, Less Lethal Instructor, Crowd Management Techniques, Cell Extraction and more, either on the road or at their training center.
Combined Tactical Systems (CTS)
I’ve been to the CTS factory and training facility in Pennsylvania, and I’ve deployed more than my fair share of its excellent Model 7290 and 7290M flash-bangs while I was in training as a flash and noise diversionary device (FNDD) instructor and in tactical operations. CTS also makes the 7290T training bang, which can be easily reloaded and deployed in training with little chance of damage to carpets and floors. My tac team has also deployed with the 12-gauge Super Sock and has successfully employed these impact munitions against violent and mentally ill offenders. CTS quality control is excellent and its products are well designed and perform their intended functions.
Penn Arms, a subsidiary of CTS, has come out with the L140-4, a 40 mm single-
shot launcher. The L140-4 is a side-folding stock and folding front vertical forearm launcher. This design results in a very short and compact launcher for SWAT teams or others such as vehicle convoy for an executive protection detail where confines might be close. The small design allows an operator to carry the launcher on a sling and still have a less lethal, impact or chemical munitions option quickly available.
CTS has an extensive inventory of riot chemicals and munitions as well as products of high quality for the street officer.
Safariland Group Defense Technology
Safariland has gone through a lot of changes over the past few years, including the sale of Safariland and 19 other product brands (such as Bianchi, Second Chance, ProTech and ABA) to Kanders & Company. The parent company is now Safariland Group. What’s stayed consistent: the high quality of each brand’s products.
In the less lethal realm, Defense Technology has introduced new products for 2013, including the Low Roll Distraction Device Simulator, which uses compressed air to pop a plastic bladder with a resounding bang but no damage to the training environment. The training bang is refilled with a paintball-size CO2 tank and the plastic bladders cost about $5 a piece. The Low Roll Distraction Device Simulator offers a low-cost, non-explosive option for training tactical teams.
On the live bang front, Safariland has several new products coming out this year. Its 40 mm warning/signaling munitions are available in 100-, 200- and 300-meter range options. Designed for use in riot control, military checkpoints and ship security, these bangs can be fired as a show of force from standard 40 mm launchers to warn vehicles advancing checkpoints, boats or ships or urban riot suspects. The same effects—loud noise, bright flash and pressure wave—that work on suspects in buildings where FNDDs are thrown can work for police and military personnel from a distance.
PepperBall
New at PepperBall is the T4.1 launcher, a box-fed CO2 launcher designed to replicate the look and feel of the M4 carbine. Complete with quad rail forearm for installation of white lights, vertical fore-grips or lasers, the T4.1 is manufactured by Tiberius. PepperBall has a large variety of projectiles including live OC pepper balls, marking rounds, impact and glass breaking rounds.
The PepperBall Model TMP-0010 pistol has a new device this year called the Split Shot, a muzzle device that allows the TMP-0010 to be fired at close range. The device splits the fired pepper ball, which causes a blast dispersion effect. Armed with the TMP-0010 and Split Shot, a law enforcement or corrections officer can fire directly onto a suspect or inmate.
Taser International
Due to the advent of cartridges that deploy Taser probes out to 35 feet, the eXtended Range Electronic Projectile (XREP) in both 12 gauge and 40 mm has been discontinued. The XREP 12 gauge cartridges had cost around $150 per round, which made them cost-
prohibitive for most agencies.
The Taser X3 was introduced in 2009 and incorporated a three-cartridge design that allowed the firing of three Taser shots without reloading. This design allows the operator to fire three shots on one suspect if a miss occurs or if both probes don’t make contact or fire on three subjects. The X3 can be cycled between the cartridges if follow-up cycles are necessary or warranted. This was made possible by a streamlined cartridge design, but it did make the business end wider. Although the grip is no larger than the X26, for patrol officers who carry the Taser on their duty belt, the X3 is a little large.
In 2011, Taser reduced the X3 design by one cartridge and came out with the X2. The X2 incorporates the advanced and slim line cartridge with the new electronics available in the X3. The X2 has struck the right balance between multiple-shot capability and size.
In addition, Taser recently introduced its “smart weapon” line. With new digital Silicon Controlled Rectifier electronics, the smart X2 and X26P measure the output to the suspect 20 times a second and automatically adjust the charge to ensure a proper electrical flow on target. This is called “charge monitoring.” Other changes in the smart weapon X2 and X26P include improved battery life, audible alerts, an improved ergonomic design and a high-definition Taser Cam.
ASP Batons
I’ve carried an ASP tactical baton (21" model) in police uniform for years. Shortly after my agency decided to issue them to each officer, I attended the excellent ASP Baton Instructor Course. Over this three-day course we engaged in mass repetitions of the ASP open- and closed-mode strikes. One of the humorous concerns of one, now retired, supervisor was that officers would dent the hoods of patrol cars closing the baton. To my knowledge, not one of our officers ever dented a hood. However, closing the standard friction lock ASP does require a firm strike downward onto a firm service, such as a concrete or blacktop street.
Until now that is.
In 2013 ASP introduced the new Talon baton with Disc Loc. The baton can be extended in the normal upward or downward snap or covertly by pulling it open with your hand. To close, simply push the button on the end cap and close. The Talon is available in three sizes: 15¾ inches extended, 19 11/16 inches and 23 5/8 inches. It comes in either standard steel Cerakote or black aluminum Airweight version.
No Need to Choose
Agencies and officers have multiple options for less lethal control. Which to choose? There’s no one answer. Agencies must have batons, chemical sprays and electronic control weapons available to individual officers. Further, to supplement the individual officer’s options, agencies must have available riot control chemicals, flash bangs, impact munitions and more. The good thing is that these providers and more are out in the marketplace to provide officers with those options, increasing officer safety and reducing the threat against LE personnel.
