Category Archives: Street

Ruger Adds 9mm to LCR Lineup

Posted on October 7, 2014 by Randall

For you back-up revolver carriers, Sturm, Ruger & Company is introducing a 9mm version of their popular LCR platform.  If you like having a secondary firearm chambered in the same caliber as your on-duty pistol, then this one may be your ideal belly gun. The Ruger LCR has rightly gained a solid following based upon its light weight, smooth cammed trigger pull, and reliable functioning.  A 9mm round ups the foot pounds of energy delivered on target when compared to its .38 Special +P variation, though both still lag behind the .357 Magnum. Sharing the same 400 stainless steel monolithic frame of the .357 model, the 9mm LCR will come … Continue reading →

Posted in Concealed Carry, Firearms, Off Duty, Street | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

UV Paqlite Scout Pack

Posted on October 1, 2014 by Randall

Everyone should have an Uncle Vernon.  UV Paclite Company was founded by a father and daughter team who named their business after a wise old role model and protector of the family.  Uncle Vernon inspired generations of his kin to venture into the outdoors with safety in mind.  These lightweight, no-fail glowing “pack lights” echo his teachings. UV Paqlite sells products featuring natural strontium aluminate crystals that absorb, store, and reproduce light without the use of batteries, chemical reactions, or radioactive elements.  The company says their large crystals are environmentally friendly and non-toxic.  These glowing objects provide utility as nightlights, equipment markers, and safety beacons. For fun, I ordered a … Continue reading →

Posted in Flashlights, Street, Tactical Bags | 1 Comment

Comsonics Texting Sniffer

Posted on September 23, 2014 by Randall

Have you ever been illegally texting behind the wheel, seen a marked police car, and lowered your phone until the “threat” had passed?  Of course you haven’t.  The California Highway Patrol is now testing a device that may end up putting thumb cuffs on texting outlaws.  Comsonics Sniffer Sleuth II can detect cell phone emissions and identify among texting, calling, or emailing from inside a moving vehicle. We all know that distracted driving leads to car crashes.  Whether it be texting, sightseeing, or eating a McWhopper, taking your attention away from safely operating a motor vehicle is dangerous.  While not a primary p/c stop, the Florida Ban on Texting While … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal, Street | Leave a comment

QALO Rings Save Fingers

Posted on September 10, 2014 by Randall

Ring avulsion.  This is something that first responders and soldiers should worry about on the job.  QALO Ring has come up with a solution to getting your wedding band or other metal ring caught in machinery or on a fixed object, which can result in finger amputation or serious degloving of the tissue.  Google it if you have a strong stomach.  I think it will convince you of the peril. QALO stands for Quality Athletics Love Outdoors.  They say, “We searched for a solution that would allow us to show our commitment of marriage, and wear a comfortable wedding band that could withstand our active lifestyle.  We started playing around … Continue reading →

Posted in Officer Safety, Street | Tagged | 3 Comments

FSA 2014 Officer of the Year

Posted on September 1, 2014 by Randall

The Florida Sheriff’s Association produced this video about their 2014 Officer of the Year, Officer Mario Gutierrez of the Miami-Dade Police Department.  All I can say is, Wow.  Ofc. Gutierrez’s account and the radio traffic are chilling.  It is an outstanding example of courage and staying in the fight. Randall

Posted in Misc., Officer Safety, Street | 1 Comment

I Got Pulled Over

Posted on August 29, 2014 by Randall

The other evening I ran out to the store for some supplies.  On my way home, I saw blue and red lights in my rear view mirror. Aaaaah.  I blinkered into the right lane, turned on to the first side street, and coasted to the curb.  When was the last time I was pulled over? The sheriff’s deputy made a driver’s side approach.  I was actually a little nervous as I kept both hands on the steering wheel; I’ve been on his side of the traffic stop, too.  The deputy stayed safely just behind the B-pillar and said, “Sir, I need to see your license and registration.”  I replied with … Continue reading →

Posted in Officer Safety, Street | 4 Comments

Yet Another Day in the Pressure Cooker

Posted on August 22, 2014 by Randall

It is almost Midnight and I just got home from a regular eight hour shift followed by just over seven hours of OT on a series of surveillance and arrests for one of our specialized units, working in conjunction with other local and Federal agencies. I do not pull this kind of duty nearly as much as I had in days past.  It reminds me that this kind of adrenaline-infused work goes on around-the-clock in our country.  The challenges made me respect those who are on the front lines taking criminals off the street every day because the reality is that after nearly 27 years on the job I now … Continue reading →

Posted in Detectives, Street | 3 Comments

Militarization of the Police–A Cop’s View

Posted on August 19, 2014 by Randall

I get a little miffed at the argument that the police are becoming “too militarized.”  Detractors say that law enforcement has no need for the equipment that the U.S. Government has been distributing from its arsenal of aged or obsolete equipment.  This controversial military equipment comes mainly in two flavors:  weaponry or protection. As to weaponry, we are talking rifles.  My agency just took possession of two dozen older Colt M-16s from the Department of Defense at a very low price per unit.  Before the naysayers get in an uproar, understand that we already have more authorized fully automatic rifles for our SWAT team.  Our street officers also field semi-automatic … Continue reading →

Posted in Media, Politics, Street, SWAT | 8 Comments

R.A.T.S. Tourniquet

Posted on May 15, 2014 by Randall

The Rapid Application Tourniquet System (R.A.T.S.) is another style of extremity hemorrhage control marketed to soldiers and police officers.  It consists of a 1/2″ flat bungee cord and aluminum cleat.  The instructions below are pretty self explanatory.

Posted in Medical, Officer Safety, Street | 1 Comment

Absurd Police Foot Pursuits

Posted on May 9, 2014 by Randall

Lowa Boots, LLC, the German footwear maker, has a new line of tactical boots for the service professional.  The promotional video is a dramatized police foot pursuit.  I do not remember using parkour in any chase I was ever in. I do remember being in an absurd foot pursuit when I was a rookie on Midnight Shift.  It was like the chase scene from the movie Raising Arizona with dogs and houses and slo-mo’s of weird things passing by in the periphery.  We interrupted a residential burglar and he took off between the houses. Young and spry, I accelerated into the darkness to catch him.  It was not the nicest … Continue reading →

Posted in Humor, Street | Leave a comment

U. S. Supreme Court Addresses Anonymous Tips

Posted on April 25, 2014 by Randall

This week, the United States Supreme Court decided upon the validity of an anonymous tip precipitating a vehicle stop.  Prado Navarette v. California was a 2008 case which involved an anonymous tipster calling in a 911 complaint to the California Highway Patrol of a pickup truck that had run her off of the road.  CHP officers pulled over a truck matching the vehicle’s description and subsequently arrested the occupants for possessing 30 pounds of marijuana in the truck’s bed. In a 5-4 decision, the majority opinion concluded that an anonymous tip can constitute reasonable suspicion for police to effect an investigative traffic stop under the Fourth Amendment.  Citing United States … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal, Street | Tagged | Leave a comment

ELSA Mobile Language Translation

Posted on February 23, 2014 by Randall

ELSA is a mobile language translation system designed for first responders, government agencies, health care, and financial services among the end users.  Live translators interact with the user and client.  This service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  My department recently received two test and evaluation devices from RTT Mobile Interpretation, the developer. An ELSA device is a simple black box that is made to be clipped to the belt of the user.  With the push of a button, live translators are available over a wireless network to assist with translating a mind boggling 180 different languages and dialects.  Four small microphones on the top of … Continue reading →

Posted in Street, Technology | 3 Comments

FBI Publishes Report on Active Shooter Events–2000-2012

Posted on February 12, 2014 by Randall

Last month, the Federal Bureau of Investigation published the findings of a study of Active Shooter Events (ASE’s) that occurred from 2000 to 2012.  One thing is clear from the data, and you can probably guess what it is.  Active shootings, injuries, and deaths have all increased during in years examined. The FBI studied a total of 110 active shooter events during this period.  Complete data was not available for every instance, but there was enough information for an examination of the trends in several areas of concern. While you might think most of the incidents occurred on school campuses, 40% of ASE’s occurred in businesses, while 29% were in … Continue reading →

Posted in Officer Safety, Street, SWAT | 2 Comments

New Celox RAPID Hemostatic Gauzes

Posted on November 20, 2013 by Randall

As I was finishing a half lap of SWAT Round-Up International’s vendor area, I had spied my old friend, an Orange County Sheriff’s Office Master Deputy.  My friend introduced me to Dr. William Brooks at the Advanced Trauma Specialties display.  Dr. Brooks was demonstrating some new Celox RAPID hemostatic gauzes.  The Celox RAPID gauzes come in Z-folded 3″ X 5′ and 1″ X 5′ lengths, the latter of which is called Celox RAPID Ribbon gauze. Celox granules are laminated to the high density gauze material to provide easy packing into a wound for quick bleeding control.  Celox is made with Chito-R™ (chitosan from shrimp shells) that binds to red blood … Continue reading →

Posted in Medical, Officer Safety, Street, Technology | Leave a comment

Venture Ballistics Introduces New Active Shooter Shields

Posted on November 17, 2013 by Randall

In addition to watching last Tuesday’s event at SWAT Round-Up International 2013, I trolled the vendors’ show looking for new things.  I ran across Todd Garrett at the Venture Ballistic Composites booth.  Mr. Garrett chose to introduce their new line of Active Shooter shields at this year’s SRI. Named an AS-3 or AS-3A, Venture Ballistics’ new models are either NIJ Level III or IIIa.  They come in 16″ X 20″ (short) or 16″ X 28″ (regular).  These shields are very mobile and afford good coverage to the user’s torso.  The AS-3A short is specifically designed to give protection in or out of a vehicle.

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