The present invention provides a long range LADAR (Laser Detection and Ranging), that employs in combination a 1.32 micron, Q-switched, diode-pumped Nd:YLF laser whose output beam is linearly polarized. A quarter-wave plate is positioned in front of the laser such that the laser's (e.g. vertical)polarized light is converted to right circular polarization. Reflection from a specular surface returns left circular polarized light. A second quarter-wave plate transforms the left circular polarized light to horizontally polarized light which is then propagated through a beam splitter to two Gallium Arsenide Avalanche Photo-Diode detectors. This invention provides both substantial reduction in eye injury potential and good transmission in the atmosphere while improving scattering performance.