Reading the above post's took me down memory lane this AM as I drink my morning java. Above my desk are several photo's of me and other's in days gone by. One of them is of me standing next to my "motor" back in 1980. I am wearing the standard Chippewa "motor" boots that came up to just below my knees, standing next to my KZ1000. If you look closely, you will see the 9" slapper that rode in a sap pocket that was integral in our uniform pants for motor cops.
When I started in 73, I worked for a large S.Cal metro agency. We were very stick oriented, carried a 26" wooden baton, along with whatever we felt necessary to enhance our inter-personal communication skills. I worked foot patrol in a high incident, culturally diverse precinct. Baton, sap, mag lite and a couple other items comprised my less lethal loadout.
Times have certainly changed.