In order for any non-lethal weapon to be effective accuracy is a must, especially with batons. Training regularly with your impact weapons will help reinforce the skills and tactics necessary for the effectiveness you need. Make sure you wear all of your assigned duty gear.
Here are some basic baton drills:
Using a partner and a striking shield, stand 6-8 feet away from you, and on your command (or theirs) advance towards you.
Verbalize as they move towards you; have the subject respond in 1 of 6 ways:
i. Once commanded, have them comply to your verbal commands to get down. They comply
ii. Once commanded, have them not comply to your verbal commands to get down. They do not obey commands and you have to bring them down. They comply safely with the baton in your hands.
iii. Once commanded, have them not comply to your verbal commands to get down. You have to execute striking techniques with your baton and as you bring them down, in which they use their body to resist and you – but they comply.
iv. Once commanded, have them not comply to your verbal commands to get down. You have to execute a series of baton strikes to bring them down in which they become more combative and actively resist use their body and hands to grab the baton or strike you to resist and you may have to use a combination of tactics between empty hands and impact weapons to bring them down – but they will comply
v. Once commanded, have them not comply with your verbal commands to get down – and you have to execute a series of baton strikes to bring them down in which they become more combative and actively resist. They may use their body and hands to grab or strike you to resist, and you may have to use a combination of tactics, between empty hands and impact weapons, to bring them down. Then they make the attempt to get back up on their feet – you will have decide whether to disengage and or escalate.
