Inforce/Emissive Energy

Color LED Police Flashlight

Duty lights have evolved dramatically over the last decade. No longer simply used to illuminate an area in low light, modern lights allow us to signal, confuse, and light up the night. Inforce/Emissive Energy's recently introduced Color LED Police Flashlight (model INF-B-PBR) for law enforcement is one such multi-tasker.

Inforce's new illumination and signaling device gives the officer more options than any light I have seen. These include a constant on/off light with variable output, a signal light, and a marker light. A red/blue alternating LE identification light can be used for vehicular stops and bicycle operations. But what really makes this light different is its disorienting multi-color strobe. Random strobing of different colors at different intensity and frequency cycles temporarily disorients suspects so an officer can gain control of a situation.

Using Inforce's proprietary mounts, all the lights in Inforce's military/law enforcement line can be mounted to your AR or any weapons system that has a Picatinny rail. If you require a pressure pad for use with a vertical grip, Inforce offers those too.

Unlike many lights, the carbon fiber Color LED Police Flashlight is lightweight enough to carry all day, and it comes with a handy clip to help you do so. It's designed to work as a standard pocket clip and to fit MOLLE/STRIKE systems. The clip seems indestructible; I didn't see if I could break it because anything can be destroyed, suffice to say it will survive on duty.

I found Inforce's Color LED Police Flashlight to be one of the most versatile lights I have seen. I say this because of its variable intensity main beam and the fact that it can be operated with one hand. When you add the strobe/marker light option to the mix, I doubt you will find another light on the market that can do everything this one does.

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Woolrich

Elite Series Tactical Polyester Fleece Jacket

As I am sitting here I'm still experiencing summer weather and the temperature is expected to peak near 91 degrees. It is tough to think of cold weather, but it will soon be upon us. To combat the chills and winds of winter and fall, you might consider the Woolrich Elite Series Tactical Polyester Fleece Jacket.

If you are fortunate enough to wear Woolrich's Waterproof Breathable Parka as your duty coat, you'll benefit from the fact that this fleece jacket is designed to be worn with the Parka. This gives you a warm, waterproof combination to combat the elements.

Woolrich's Polyester Fleece Jacket is available in black with ripstop nylon trim to reduce wear and increase the life of the jacket. It covers the shoulders and even the pockets' leading edges are protected by ripstop. This also reduces the chances of the zippers catching on the pockets.

To make this jacket ready for duty, the polyester fleece is lined with nylon tricot. This will keep the jacket from binding and catching on your uniform. Another duty-worthy feature is two side seam zippers that provide ventilation and access to your waist so you can zip the jacket over your weapon and everything else on your duty belt. The final detail added to the Fleece Jacket for duty is the pen pockets on the left forearm.

While The Elite Series Tactical Polyester Fleece Jacket may not fit the usual profile of duty outerwear, it will make an excellent liner if nothing else. And if your agency is like many of the agencies I have dealt with over the years; fleece jackets are becoming more accepted parts of the uniform. Simply adding your unit patches and badge fob will make the Woolrich Elite Tactical Series Polyester Fleece Jacket duty worthy.

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SureFire

X300 High-Output LED Weapon Light

In the last decade a weapons mounted light has become as much a part of your daily duty kit as your handheld light. SureFire's latest version of the X300 High-Output LED Weapon light is the company's latest innovation.

You probably know the X300 has been in the SureFire line for several years now and might wonder why I'd review this "old" piece of gear. The answer is simple: It has been reinvented and improved. No, not "new and improved" like those TV infomercials, but radically improved.

For example, the X300 LED now boasts a monstrous 170-lumen output for more than two hours. This output will allow you to light up a backyard for search purposes and provide enough functional light (being able to determine a cell phone from a weapon) out to 40-plus yards.

What I like about this new X300 is the increased light output will give you sufficient light to use your long gun to engage longer range targets. This is something past small weapons lights didn't do. With this improved light output I can reduce the weight of the gear on my AR.

The X300 can be mounted directly to your handgun or long gun via a Picatinny rail. SureFire also offers several mounts and pressure pads to meet your needs. For the minimalist, fear not. Toggles on the X300 are easily operated without these additional items; I use the thumb of my support hand to operate it on both my handgun and AR.

SureFire's improved X300 shows how an industry leader continues to evolve and grow. The X300 will quickly become one of the most versatile weapons lights on the market. If you need a new weapons light check out the improved X300.

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SOG Knives

Swedge II

About five years ago I caught wind of a new knife blade design, the Besh Wedge. Designed by Brent Beshara who is retired from the Canadian military and National EOD School Instructor, this blade was built to be used and abused.

In 2010 the "Wedge" was licensed to SOG Knives and the result is the Swedge Series. This series consists of three fixed blade knives with blade lengths from 3.7 inches to five inches. I chose to look at the Swedge II because it splits the difference with a 4.75-inch blade. It's a large enough blade to be used as a defensive weapon should you need a last resort weapon and it is small enough to not take up room on your duty belt or tactical vest.

Yes, I realize this is a fixed blade and won't clip to your pocket; however, there are times when you can't beat a fixed blade. While it is not a suggested use, the Swedge II has a one-piece blade/tang, which means it will make a tough field-expedient pry bar. Most folding blades make terrible pry bars, and it's good to know this knife will do the job when you come across a stubborn ammo case lid, stuck door, window, etc.

If you don't need to pry anything open, the "Wedge" will make short work of cutting a sandwich or opening an envelope. If you need to break a window the end of the tang is a window punch.

Thanks to its AUS8 steel blade and G10 grips the knife will survive your duty. And the texture of the G10 and scallops on the back edge of the blade mean you will always have a solid purchase. SOG Knives' Swedge II is a knife I would carry on duty because it is designed for those who go in harm's way, no matter the uniform you wear.

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Scott Smith is a former federal police officer for the Department of Veteran's Affairs who currently serves as a reserve officer and is a contributing editor to POLICE.