North Carolina Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) State Practice Exam

What is the standard length of a riot baton?

1. 20-30 inches

2. 30-40 inches

3. 26-42 inches

4. 42-50 inches

The correct answer is: 26-42 inches

The standard length of a riot baton typically falls within the range of 26 to 42 inches. This length is designed to provide law enforcement officers with adequate reach and control while ensuring the baton remains manageable and effective for crowd control situations. A baton of this size allows officers to maintain a safe distance from potential threats while still being able to deliver necessary force when required. In riot situations, a longer baton can enhance an officer's ability to de-escalate potential violence by allowing them to enforce control without needing to move too close to a crowd. Moreover, the design and length of the baton must also accommodate various deployment scenarios, making the 26 to 42-inch range practical for ranging tactics as well as for close encounters when necessary. Other options either provide lengths that are too short or excessively long for typical riot control use, thus not meeting the established standards for such equipment.