If you have issues viewing or accessing this file contact us at NCJRS.gov. A HANDBOOK FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS 'I 11' 1, ,I " TECHNIQUE ~.,.. , .. ( " ,I\ND USE OF THE POLICE BATON SEPTEMBER 1967 FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE ,~ ". , , "/ "~-- I. INTRODUCTION The police baton, in the hands of an officer who has been trained in its use, is a very formidable weapon for defense and counterattack. Many law enforcement , officers share'the opinion that the baton, under most circumstances, is a more versatile weapon than the officer's revolver. It is recognized that there a~ a great many situations in which a police officer would be justified in using the baton, whereas he would not be justified in using his revolver. 'l'he officer who is skilled and prac­ ticed in using the baton can adequately cope with most situations where physical force is necessary. The officer who carries a baton as part of his equipment must be trained to use it properly. This will enable him to obtain the desired results when it is necessary to use it, and at the same time avoid bringing criticism upon himself or the agency he represents. The purpose of this booklet is to present material on the technique and use of the baton which meets the needs /' of the police officer and yet is consistent with the ethical standards of modern law enforcement. A great deal of the information contained in this manual is the result of consultations with numerous police officers who have attended the FBI National Academy. -1- B. Nomenclature (Medium Baton and/or Riot Stick) II. TYPES, NOMENCLATURE, FITTING THE THONG A. J'ypes ~....... _____ iIP The baton is made from hard wood or plastic. It is 1 to 1 1/2" in diameter, rounded at both ends, and will vary in length from 12 to 3611 • 1. Short baton (billy). -- This baton varies in length from 12 to 18"·. 2. Medium baton (nightstick). This baton ranges \011---- BARREL in length from 20 to 26t' , the most popular 11 length being 24 • This .is the type of baton frequently carried by the officer on the beat. 3. Long baton (riot stick). -- This baton ranges in length from 28 to 36t~ and is used predomi­ nately in the control of mobs and riots. 'Q)41k---- HOLE FOR THONG ~: The techniques set forth in this booklet are intended for the medium and/or long baton; however, many will also apply to the short baton. Some of the techniques will not \oItr- HANDLE (GROOVED) apply to the short baton because of its rather limited length. !I I " Figure I -2- -3- _l -------------_.---- c. Fitting the Thong 1. There should be a hole in the III. METHODS OF HOLDING, BLOCKING, AND STRIKING BLOWS baton located 6 to 81t from the butt. One end of a leather thong A. Control of Baton is threaded through the hole and 1. Where to carry.--The baton should be carried seoured with a strong knot. where it is easily accessible to the strong (Figure 2). hand. Many officers prefer to carry it -on 2. The other end of the thong is Figure 2 the same side as their revolver. The baton then threaded through the same should not be used in the weak hand in order hole, but in the opposite direc­ to reserve the strong hand for the revolver. tion to adjust the length of the thong to fit the officer!s hand. 2. Control.--The officer must be continually (Figure 3). alert and have the baton under control at all times. It should never be held in such 3. To adjust the thong to fit the a manner that could enable a person to gain hand, the loop is passed over control and use it against him. Alertness and the thumb and across the back of proper use of the baton insure complete the hand with the baton hanging Figure 3 control. do~~. The thong is then shortened until the butt of the baton touches the bottom of the hand. (Figure 4). 4. After marking the proper length I of the thong, the free end of the Ii thong is fastened with a knot and ~ the remainder is cut off. II jj -4- Figure 4 -~. -5- 1 I ALTERNATE METHOD.--Place the thong over the thumb and across the front of the hand B. The Long Grip with the baton hanging downward. 1. How to Hold. Place (Figure Sa). the thong over the thumb and across the back of the hand with the baton Figure 5 hanging downward. The Figure 5a hand is then turned down- ward and is closed on the With the left hand raise baton tip handle to grip baton. upward causing thong to pass around (Figure 5). back of hand. (Figure 6a). The thumb can be extended parallel to the baton (Figure 6), or Figure 6 curled do~m over the index finger (Figure 7). Figure 6a Place the fingers between baton handle and thong and grasp handle. (Figure 7a). !11 Figure 7a I) Figure 7 -6- ~ _____. _______. __ -_7- _____________ 2. The "On Guardl ! position. --Advance t~e right foot approxi­ mately 12!1 and simultaneously pivot slightly on the ball of the left foot. The knees should be slightly bent with If gripped in either the weight equally distributed on the manner, the thong aids balls of the feet. The right elbow the officer in maintain- should be approximately 6" from the ing his grip. However, body; the right hand should be held if an opponent should "chest highlfj and the baton should be seize the baton, the pointed upward. (Figure 11). officer can free himself Figure 8 from the thong by merelY NOTE: By reversing the feet and placing relaxing the grip. the left hand on baton barrel, the officer Figure II is f10n Guard!! for the Two-handed Grip. (Figure 8). (Page 23, Figure 45). M ', .. ' 3. Footwork.--The general rule concerning The thong should footwork is simply that the first never be looped around foot to move should be the foot near- the officer's wrist est the direction y.ou wish to go. Figure 12 because it would be Figure 9 To advance from the !!on guard!! difficult to release position, move the right foot for­ t the baton should the ward first and then bring up the • /2"\ opponent succeed in i I left. (Figure 12). \ ... ! grabbing it. !i (Figures 9 and 10). ~ To retreat, move the left foot !l II n to the rear first and then bring back Figure 13 Ii,I "~1 the right. (Figure 13). 11 II Figure 10 -9- -8- I ..........J....J ~ _____________________------------------.j To circle to the right, move the right foot to the 4. How To Block Blows and right as you pivot on the .......... Kicks. (Ot...... (~~/ ball of the left foot. (Figure 14). a. Against swinging Figure 14 right - inside block. To circle to the left, (Fi.gure 18). move the right foot to the Figure 18 left as you pivot on the ball of the left foot. (Figure 15). When necessary to move sideward to the right, first figure 15 b. Against swinging move the right foot to the right, right outside and then move the left. , block or parry • (Figure 16). • (F.igure 19). To move sideward to the Figure 19 left, first move the left foot Figure 16 to the left, and then move the right. (Figure 17). , • c. Against swi.nging left - inside block. (Figure 20). Figure 11 Figure 20 -10- -11- -------------- -----------------------~~--~~ d. Against swinging left - outside block or parry. (Figure 21). g. Against left-foot kick - downward block. (Figure 24). Figure 2' e. Against straight Figure 24 left or right - downward block or parry. 5. How to Strike Blows~-With the exception of the jab, all (Figure 22). blows should be short and snappy, utilizing the strength of the wrist and forearm. Short, snappy biows can be delivered quickly and accurately and are difficult to Figure 22 block or parry. Also, the force of the blow can be more easily regulated than full-swinging I1roundhouse l1 blows. "Ro.lndhouse" blows, which use the entire arm, f. Against right-foot should be avoided, because they are slow, inaccurate, kiCk-downward easily blucked, and make it practically impossible to block. (Figure 23). regulate the force of the blow. Figure 23 " -12- -13- . ______ ~ ____ ~ _____ ,~t":· 1i b. The Backswing.-­ This blow is similar to and delivered in much the same manner as the short swing except it is a back- a. The Short Swing.-- Figure 25 han~ blow. (Figures Figure 28 This is a forehand blow 28 and 29). delivered sideward or downward in a short, snappy manner. An excellent procedure (Figures 25, 26, 27). for using this type blow would be to feint a short swing to the opponent's Figure 26 head and strike a backswing blow to his left or right Figure 29 knee. (Figure 30). Figure 27 , I Figure 30 -14- i -15- J c. The Jab.--This blow is de­ livered by quickly extend­ ing the baton forward striking the opponent Blows to the head and face should be avoided with the tip. (Figure for the following reasons: 31). a. The opponent could be killed instead of merely being brought under control. The officer has figure 31 no way of determining the thickness of his The baton should be extended and returned opponent's skull. A blow to the head of one quickly to the "on guard" position. This permits opponent might kill him, whereas fue same blow the officer to strike additional blows and makes to the head of another could have little or it difficult for the opponent to seize the baton.