What is the primary role of a baton in law enforcement?

The primary role of a baton in law enforcement is to incapacitate a subject who poses a threat to the officer or others. Batons are considered a non-lethal option meant for use in a range of situations where an officer needs to gain control over an individual without resorting to deadly force. When used correctly, a baton can effectively subdue a suspect by targeting specific areas of the body that can incapacitate without causing permanent harm, hence allowing the officer to maintain control over the situation.

While batons can also create psychological fear and may be used to distract or strike, these actions are secondary to their main purpose of incapacitation. The focus in law enforcement training emphasizes using a baton to neutralize a threat, ensuring that officers can manage potentially dangerous encounters while upholding their responsibility to use force judiciously and appropriately.