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Author Archives: Randall
Reconsidering a Carry Gun
A co-worker has been literally salivating (his desk is a wet mess) over the idea of buying a new Glock 43. Although he was gravitating toward the .380 ACP Glock 42, the later introduction of a similar frame size chambered in 9mm made up his mind for him. Detectives at our agency are issued the .40 cal. Glock 27. My buddy likes the idea of the Glock-format pistol in a smaller package for off-duty carry. Good so far. He excitedly texted me one weekend that he had put a hundred bullets through a G43 at another department’s range and he was “totally sold” on the gun. The dude is fixated. … Continue reading
Failure to Supervise
In October, a Zephyrhills Police Department sergeant was fired for failing to supervise an officer during an arrest. The officer went to a suspect’s residence to talk to him about a misdemeanor retail theft. After speaking to the suspect through a hanging screen at front door, the officer ordered the suspect out of his home. The man declined and stood passively inside the doorway with his hands raised. Following several warnings, the officer deployed his TASER at the suspect, then entered the residence to effect a physical arrest for the petit theft. A charge of RAWOV was also filed. The incident was captured on the officer’s TASER CAM. The sergeant … Continue reading
Next Generation CAT Tourniquet
North American Rescue is updating their popular Combat Application Tourniquet (CAT). The graphic above displays the new features. A strengthened windlass rod, clip, and strap address the issue of high torque when the unit is applied correctly. As we found during TCCC training earlier in the year, dual routing of the strap through the buckle is better, but a little difficult with one hand since the strap has trouble sliding. The new single routed buckle with teeth should help preloading and administering the CAT in all conditions. No word on release date or price yet. Randall
Posted in Medical, Officer Safety, Street, SWAT, Uncategorized
Tagged CAT tourniquet, North American Rescue
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A Few Long Range Pistol Shots
Wednesday was the annual SWAT Qualification Day and I made time to attend. Although I am retired from the Team, they graciously let me join them. After the physical requirements and marksmanship quals were completed, we had additional ammunition for shooting drills. The 100-yard range was open and a few of the guys were testing out some pricey long guns brought by a SWAT medic. These included an FN SCAR and an FN FS2000. While the shooters hammered away at distant silhouette paper targets, I decided to give them some friendly competition–with my handgun. On an adjacent shooting bench, I ceremoniously unlimbered my Sig P226 and rested it on a … Continue reading
New GPS Tracking Device Law in Florida
Oh, the Relentless March of Technology! In a previous article, I wrote about Florida’s brand new Revenge Porn Statute. Another recent piece of legislation is F.S.S. 934.425, which addresses the illegal use of electronic tracking devices. Four months ago, my Cyber Crimes detectives and I examined a GPS tracker that a victim said she found underneath her vehicle. The suspect was her jealous soon-to-be-ex-husband. She believed that he surreptitiously place it on the underside of her car’s frame rail to “spy on her.” I will not discuss why here, but the facts and circumstances of the case precluded criminal charges, the new legislation notwithstanding. At the time of our report, … Continue reading
When Less Is Definitely Not More
I borrowed a fellow sergeant’s marked Tahoe for the execution of a search warrant last week. As I was checking out the rig, I saw these impromptu labels on his gun rack. Guess I can’t argue with that. Randall
Police Body Cameras Gaining Ground
From the recent TASER International Axon body camera sales I have attached below, you can deduce that the new fiscal year has begun and that many agencies are following through with police body cam purchases. While some local, state, and federal jurisdictions are wrestling with the seemingly mutually exclusive issues of police transparency and citizens’ privacy rights, other departments are moving forward, no doubt some under urgent public pressure. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office’s request appears to make it the largest Florida department to pen a substantial purchase order. As for other major agencies, where cost can be a prohibitive factor, Miami-Dade Police have $5 million earmarked for future body … Continue reading
Posted in Officer Safety, Taser, Technology
Tagged police body cameras, TASER Axon camera, TASER International
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News Misinterprets Suspect, Streetwise Readers Split Sides
I almost tumbled off my sectional when I read this journalistic misfire on a television station’s news website. Apparently, something has gone horribly wrong in the Mainstream Media. Cooper then ran from the scene to a nearby church, where the pastor found him hiding in a bathroom, deputies said. Cooper was taken into custody without further incident. Deputies said Cooper, who smelled of alcohol and marijuana, asked who was chasing him and said “you slow as [expletive].” Cooper then said he wasn’t driving the car, according to the report. “My dog was driving that car,” he reportedly said. “I ran ‘cause I wanted to. You ain’t gonna find no drugs … Continue reading
Posted in Humor, Media
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Blue Lives Matter Billboards
Baton Rouge, Louisiana’s Lamar Advertising Company has donated 302 digital billboards with a Blue Lives Matter graphic and #thankublu Instagram link to promote support for law enforcement. Conceived by Memphis branding agency Tactical Magic, the billboards first appeared in that city, but Lamar has expanded their exposure nationwide. Tactical Magic creative director Trace Hallowell said a citizen approached him about honoring those who serve in local law enforcement. The original Tactical Magic billboards, which went up in June showed support for the Memphis PD.
Posted in Media, Misc., Politics
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Active Shooter Survival Tips
There was an absolutely tragic Active Shooter incident at Umpqua Community College in Oregon today. Reports at this time say that at least 10 have been murdered and 7 wounded in the on-campus attack. The shooter is apparently dead. I have a daughter in college and I do not know if she has ever received training for such an occurrence at her school. I decided to send her an email containing some tips for surviving an active shooter event. Most of the information below comes from the Department of Homeland Security. It is meant as a guide and is not a guarantee of an positive outcome. As police officers, we … Continue reading
Posted in Misc.
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Boydd’s Pat-Down Props
Boydd’s Products, Inc. will sell you a bag of “gold” that can help you with your trolls. Boydd’s Pat-Down Props are injection-molded, non-functioning replica weapons and contraband used for realistic search training. Raise your hand if your agency trains with crappy BB guns and busted knives with taped blades. Yeah, it happens. Used by the FBI Academy, DEA Academy, FLETC, Dept. of Homeland Security, U.S. Probation and Parole, all major branches of the U.S. Military, and hundreds of state and local agencies, Pat-Down Props are safe, cost effective, and highly useful. A Single Pack of Pat-Down Props arrives in a carry bag that contains 16
Posted in Concealed Carry, Officer Safety, Tactics
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Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Deputy Down
Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Bill Myers was murdered on a domestic violence injunction call this morning. After serving the injunction, Dep. Myers was shot and killed from behind by the suspect. The press release below is from OCSO’s public information officer. A longtime veteran of the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office who rejoined the agency to serve part-time after retiring in 2013 has died at Fort Walton Beach Medical Center following an early morning shooting in Shalimar. Sixty-four year old Deputy Myers retired from the OCSO in November 2013 after nearly 25 years with the agency. He was re-hired on a part-time basis in January of this year to assist … Continue reading
Posted in Officer Down, Officer Safety
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Florida’s New Revenge Porn Statute
Florida’s Revenge Porn statute, formally known as Sexual Cyberharassment, will take effect on October 1, 2015. FSS 784.049 begins with the Legislature’s rationale for the law, that people have a right to privacy for explicit sexual images of themselves taken consensually. It recognizes the harm that can come if the images are made public through the Internet. Following requisite legal definitions, the law makes it a first degree, probable cause misdemeanor to willfully and maliciously sexually cyberharass another person. It is a third degree felony for a previously convicted sexual cyberharasser to commit a second or subsequent incident. The statute goes on to outline a victim’s right to receive injunctive … Continue reading
9/11 Back-Up Gun
This is NYPD Ofc. Walter Weaver’s Smith & Wesson model 640 back-up firearm that was uncovered in the rubble of the World Trade Center after the 9/11 terror attacks. Ofc. Weaver was last seen on the sixth floor of the North Tower on that day helping survivors. The NRA Museums’ Facebook page displayed this photo montage today. Ofc. Weaver’s service and sacrifice are not forgotten. Randall
9/11 Today
I attended a 9/11 remembrance at our City Hall today. The Police/Fire honor guard looked sharp. Some dignitaries spoke and one of our chaplains led an appropriate prayer. The moment of silence was the most emotional time of the ceremony. Reflected in others’ faces was the sadness of lives lost, respect for those who served and gave all, and patriotic pride for a country that came together during tragedy. God bless America. Randall
Posted in Misc.
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