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Show Local Police adopt PR24 Baton use El iV" r v-l I Among the most dangerous moments for a police officer is that time when talk fails but the use of deadly force is unwarranted. un-warranted. Gang fights, disturbances of the peace, or situations made more tense because alcohol is involved are some of the incidents where peace officers are faced with the fact that assertive action must be taken while the chance of serious injury must be minimized. For this reason the Cedar City Police Department recently reviewed its policies toward the carrying of police batons. After careful consideration, Police Chief Douglas S. Bolton decided not only to make the baton a more viable alternative alter-native to officers in their peace-keeping duties but traded in the traditional baton for a newer, highly praised baton called the PR 24. The PR 24 is made of rolled plastic and is 24 inches long. Its main advantage over the conventional baton is the handle which is perpendicular per-pendicular to the shaft of the baton. This handle allows for more momentum and striking force, more ver- satility, and extra manuevers such as takedowns take-downs and handcuffing procedures. The traditional baton also measures 24 inches but is made of a single shaft of unbreakable hickory wood. . The Cedar City Pojice Department decided to use the new baton because of the recommendations of other departments and officers that are convinced that the PR 24 offers patrolmen another, more effective, tool for keeping the peace and self protection. The PR 24 is becoming more and more popular with police departments throughout Utah and the United States and is widely used in larger metropolitan departments on the east and west coasts. Chief Bolton assures the ltm.immmmittK:mu i , -, : Cedar City Officer Terry Petersen and Sergeant Harold Bradley at baton training. The PR 24 is being held in its ring on Sgt. Bradley's belt. community that although officers will be carrying the baton with increasing regularity, it will be used only where absolutely necessary to protect life and property. Cedar City officers recently received training in the use of the PR 24 from Officer David Christopher, a certified instructor. Officer Christopher stated that the new baton will prove to be a worthwhile law enforcement tool in Cedar City that will enable officers to handle dangerous situations with less risk to themselves and bystanders. Officer Christopher added that when used properly, the PR 24 can defuse a potentially poten-tially hazardous confrontation con-frontation quickly and efficiently ef-ficiently with fewer serious injuries and other complications. com-plications. I |