Shepherd's whistle
They are also produced commercially. Simple whistles may cost less than 1 USD in bulk; expensive ones may be quite ornate. They are commonly made of plastic, aluminum, stainless steel, silver, brass, titanium, Corian, jade, buffalo horn and other materials.
Physics of whistles
The title above is used since it is commonly used to describe whistles similar to those used by police in America and elsewhere. There are a number of whistles that operate in the same manner as the police whistle and there are number of whistles that are used by police elsewhere that do not operate in the same manner as the police whistle. The London Metropolitan police use a linear whistle, more like a small recorder. Police whistles are commonly used by referees and umpires in sporting events.