One of the things that amazes me the most when it comes to new gear are the advancements that have been made in the area of illumination. When I served as an LEO we carried two flashlights, one for illumination and persuasion, and one for serious tactical illumination.
The mag light was used for illumination and persuasion. It was not intimidating, but could easily be employed for self-defense or other purposes. The SureFire 6P was used for tactical illumination and for searches. Obviously both served their purposes, but the SureFire was a big hit with the guys on our force.
First, it was rugged. They could take a pretty good beating. Second, they were compact. Third, they put out better light than the mag light. For a focused beam they were unbelievable. SureFire continues to be a leader in illumination and their new products continue to be amazing. They aren’t cheap, but the quality matches the price tag.
If you don’t have a trusty light, I encourage you to check out some of the higher end vendors. You have to remember that tritium sights will not illuminate the target to distinguish it from friendlies. Learn to use one of these effectively and it might save your life.
By the way, learning implies training. Take your light to the range with you from time to time to practice shooting while holding a light. Just because your department issues you light doesn’t mean you are proficient with it. Learn to use the tools correctly.