Dispatcher: “911, what’s your emergency?”

Witness: “I’m at the old mall downtown. I saw someone sneaking in through a side entrance, and it looked like they had a gun!

Following this late-night 911 call, officers are dispatched to the scene. Additional intel suggested the suspect is heavily armed, making visibility and situational awareness key to survival. As the SWAT team prepares to breach the abandoned shopping mall, they gather the necessary tools to make this a successful mission.

Once the team breaches the building, they have to pass through pitch-black corridors. Weapon-mounted flashlights, such as Streamlight’s TLR-1 HP-X USB and TLR-1 HP-X, become their lifeline. The new Streamlight model can be used with full-size and compact railed handguns. “They can be mounted…safely and securely by means of a one-handed snap on and tighten interface that permits users to keep their hands away from the gun muzzle,” said Will Taylor, the southeastern regional sales manager of the law enforcement and sporting goods divisions.¹ Customizable rear switches to the left and right of the trigger guard allow for ambidextrous operation to match shooting preferences.

The light features an intense long-range beam for use in a variety of tactical and outdoor situations. It penetrates through photonic barriers, allowing a user to see through competing light sources while on scene. The TLR-1 HP-X USB delivers 1,300 lumens and 77,000 candelas over a 555-meter beam distance when using two Streamlight lithium-ion rechargeable battery packs. The rechargeable battery packs charge within 2.5 hours and offer a run time of 60 minutes. A hinged face cap allows an officer to change the battery without removing the light from their firearm.

“Streamlight’s weapon-mounted products have been extensively live-fire tested in the company’s test facility to withstand recoil,” said Taylor. Many have an operating temperature range of -40 degrees Fahrenheit to over 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Fabricated out of aluminum with a black anodized finish, the flashlight has a switch housing made from impact- and a chemical-resistant engineering polymer.

Each beam of the flashlight reveals abandoned storefronts and shattered glass. To further assess the situation ahead, the team decides to deploy their tactical robot to avoid exposure to an even more dangerous situation. Tactical robots, like Innvotronics’ line of soft-body throwable tactical robots, offer quick real-time intelligence to respond more effectively.

“When I design robots, I hate having any significant part of the robot not to have more than one use,” said Chief Operating Officer Gary Graf.² The MK-2 is equipped with an under-door infrared LED camera that can be used to safely gather intel from beyond a closed door. Because of its tail design, the lightweight robot can be easily stabilized and can even flip itself over if it lands upside down when thrown. The MK-4 is designed for structure clearing. It features audio and video capabilities to support informed decision-making. A user can slide a cellphone into a drawer within the robot, which can be useful in providing two-way communication with the suspect. It even has two infrared cameras on each side so that a user can see what is surrounding the robot no matter which way it lands when thrown. The MK-8 is a stair-climbing robot that is ideal for remote, multi-stair operations. It climbs using star wheels and is able to flex around a staircase. It will contour to whatever it is climbing. Each of these models is aptly named based on the number of wheels the robot has.

The operator control unit only has a few switches and a joystick, making it easy for everyone to operate.

Rather than being manufactured from carbon fiber or titanium, Innvotronics’ robots are made with a patented foam construction, making them lightweight and durable for tough tactical environments. The robots do not have a visible antenna; instead, they are protected inside as the foam does not block the radio frequency signal. “All of our robots are…equipped with all-wheel drive to overcome the obstacles commonly found in environments SWAT teams encounter,” said Graf.³ These obstacles could include clothing, broken glass, or escalators—all of which could be found within an abandoned mall.

While the MK-2 and MK-4 models can run for around three hours and the MK-8 can last for nearly five, they come with swappable batteries, helping teams stay out of danger for longer periods of time.

After seeing that a breaching charge will be the best course of action to enter the room with the suspect, an officer retrieves one from his Vertx backpack. For almost 12 years, Vertx has provided tactical bags and packs to their consumers. There are two offerings within the Siege Bag and Pack Series: a 25-liter backpack and a 15-liter sling. “Much like all of our other bag and pack series, we have a rhyme and a reason for every fabric and trim that we choose,” said Product Line Manager Erin Chrostowski.⁴ The company has placed a focus on creating high-tech fabrics that make their packs lighter, versatile, and more durable than previous models. Vertx uses a front laser cut MOLLE, which is a trilaminate fabric that has enough give to put attachments on the front pocket and enough durability to keep it stable. There is an abrasion-resistant coating on top of 500-denier nylon material that also helps with water resistance.

The bags include a significant padding system because they are often kitted out with heavy items. There is higher loft foam padding along the bag and shoulder straps. Visible cells along the back panel allow more airflow than only having one continuous cell, and the lofted design lifts the backpack away from the body so that the officer does not get as hot or weighed down.

Vertx bags undergo a development and field-testing period of about 18 to 24 months. “We focus so much on that front-end testing of the product—getting it right, making sure it’s extremely durable, extremely functional,” said Chrostowski.

As the explosion clears the door, flashlights flicker to life, exposing the fugitive mid-escape. Officers swiftly subdue the disoriented suspect and cuff him before he can reach his hidden weapons.

While the abandoned mall scenario here may be a hypothetical, the equipment described throughout is not theoretical. These tools can help police be more effective during high-stress situations and are available on the market today. Tactical events can occur at any time, so it’s crucial that police are equipped with the necessary tools to resolve a situation and keep themselves and others out of harm’s way as much as possible.d

Notes:

¹Will Taylor (regional sales manager – southeast, law enforcement/sporting goods divisions, Streamlight), email interview, April 30, 2025.

²Gary Graf (chief operating officer, Innvotronics), phone interview, April 25, 2025.

³Gary Graf (chief operating officer, Innvotronics), email interview, April 28, 2025.

⁴Erin Chrostowski (product line manager, Vertx), phone interview, May 2, 2025.

Please cite as:

“Tactical Gear in Action,” Product Feature, Police Chief 92, no. 6 (June 2025): 52-55.