What is the purpose of intermediate weapons (baton)?

• A. To stand guard
• B. To threaten
• C. To signal others
• D. To impede

Answer: (D)

The main idea is that an intermediate weapon like a baton is used to gain control by impeding a person’s movements and creating space so the situation can be brought under control safely. It is a tool to stop or slow actions and to help the officer establish distance, reducing risk to everyone involved. It’s not primarily for standing guard, threatening, or signaling others; those are not the baton’s main purposes. The objective is to elicit compliance and de-escalate using the minimum force necessary.