New LED Flashlights Light Up The Night

June 25th, 2008 by Cpl Edward Koczan

In June 2008 SBPD patrol officers have been issued the latest crime fighting tool technology, in the form of LED flashlights.

The new lights will be supplementing and taking the place of older, bulkier incandescent flashlights that officers are issued. The new light, manufactured by Pelican Products, is the model 7060. The light was developed for use in conjunction with the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) in a rare joint effort to develop the light.

New Pelican lights arer engraved with the SBPD department name and officer badge numbers.

Pelican Products was selected by the LAPD to work with the Department's senior staff as well as rank-and-file officers to collaborate on creating the new flashlight. Pelican designed, engineered, and produced the flashlight at its Torrance, California headquarters facility, about 15 miles south of the City of Los Angeles.

During its initial unveiling by the LAPD, and flanked by uniformed officers, the Police Chief and Faulkner demonstrated the super-white light of the 7060 by using two flashlights to single-handedly light up the blackened Parker Center Auditorium.

The 7060's modern LED technology produces a blinding brightness, which will give LAPD officers the crucial seconds they need to gain the upper hand on a suspect and determine the appropriate action - which can save lives. "We at Pelican Products are especially proud to be equipping one of American's finest law enforcement agencies with the newest, high-tech flashlight available," said Pelican CEO Lyndon Faulkner.

"We did not want to merely improve on an existing product, but wanted to revolutionize what officers rely on to light up their night. I am pleased that we've done it." he also stated.

This impressive technology was tested last year by a few select SBPD officers and has now been issued department wide. The 7060 light allows officers the ability to have a super bright, lightweight light that can be worn on the duty belt which also allows officers the advantage of always having lighting available for investigations.

The end result is a unique flashlight that is tremendously brighter than previous SBPD-issued lights, allowing officers to better establish if a suspect several feet away may have a gun or other weapon in their hand in low lighting conditions. The LED lamp is extremely durable and never needs replacing -- exceeding 10,000 hours of use, unlike conventional lamps, which fail after 30 hours of use. And the 7060's 90 minutes of continuous battery life - with no loss in intensity compared to current flashlights that dim as the charge depletes - ensures South Bend police officers can now cover their beat armed with a powerful and long-lasting flashlight.