Abstract: A modular law enforcement baton having at least two useful functions disposed at a first end and a second end is described. The police baton comprises a unit comprising a handle and an elongated member connected to the handle. A first portion of the unit comprises a battery module and a battery for completing a first useful task. A second portion of the unit comprises a module for completing a second useful task. Useful tasks include but are not limited to providing light, providing pepper spray, optical scanning, measuring vehicular speed, measuring human blood alcohol levels, etc. The police baton may further comprises at least one of an accelerometer, a force gauge, and a strain gauge positioned within the unit and capable of measuring at least one of the acceleration, the force, and the strain to which a police baton is typically subject. The police baton may further comprise an automated processor, memory, persistent storage, a radio.

Abstract: A combined flashlight-baton having a stick portion and a handle orthogonal thereto. The stick portion includes a hollow cylindrical chamber having a flashlight mechanism at one end thereof. The flashlight mechanism comprises a longitudinally slit metallic cylindrical member spring-biassed to widen the diameter thereof and the slit and fitably engaged with the inner chamber wall. Electrical contacts, first and second electrical contact members, a switch and a flashlight bulb are provided for energization. The handle has an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the stick portion and housing the switch. The handle portion has a housing for maintaining the location of the switch for operation with the same hand of the individual holding the combined flashlight-baton. Internal contacts and electrical connections are provided in the hollowed-out cylindrical chamber and the handle, the cylindrical member being part of the electric circuitry for the light mechanism.