Category Archives: Politics

Felon Fires Shots at Indianapolis Officer’s Home

Posted on July 12, 2016 by Randall

For those of you with take home police cars, be aware of an incident at 0230 hrs this morning.  A purported Black Lives Matter supporter fired 17 9mm bullets at the home and police cruiser of  an Indianapolis Metro officer.  Fortunately, the LEO and his family were unharmed. The suspect, who was wearing a shirt that said “F*#k the Police” and “Black Lives Matter,” shouted that he hated the police.  The officer had previously arrested the suspect, who did two stints in prison, for a firearms charge. With violence escalating against law enforcement, we need to be vigilant and protect our families.  If that means forgoing an assigned police car … Continue reading →

Posted in Officer Safety, Politics | Leave a comment

Gun Control Sells More Guns

Posted on January 10, 2016 by Randall

This is an interesting graphic from the New York Times charting gun sales for the last fifteen years.  The tallies come from the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.  The NYT article posits that firearms sales increase sharply after talk of gun control, as happened in December. I think these numbers show how serious Americans are about exercising and maintaining their Second Amendment rights.  In 2014, handgun sales exceeded long gun sales for the first time in the U.S.  To me, this is indicative of people purchasing personal self-defense firearms rather than sporting arms.  The trends speak to our citizens’ waning sense of safety and security. Gun sales spiked in … Continue reading →

Posted in Concealed Carry, Firearms, Media, Misc., Politics | Leave a comment

Uprising in The Villages!

Posted on December 31, 2015 by Randall

About sixty retired police officers in The Villages turned out at their Rialto Theater this morning to protest the opening of Quentin Tarantino’s new film.  You may remember Tarantino infuriated cops with his statements at a Black Lives Matter rally in New York City last October. Said the film director, “When I see murders, I do not stand by. I have to call a murder a murder, and I have to call the murderers the murderers.”  The NYPD Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association urged people to boycott Tarantino movies.  I do not stand by. Well, thanks Q for being there and putting your life on the line for all of us. Protesting … Continue reading →

Posted in Media, Politics | Leave a comment

“Enough is Enough!”

Posted on December 8, 2015 by Randall

Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey is not afraid to give an opinion.  I think his observations have gone viral because they make us reflect on America and safety.  Gun sales in Florida have risen since the San Bernardino Islamic terrorist attack.  FDLE reports firearms purchase background checks were up 73% last Saturday and 86% Sunday, compared to the same dates a year ago.  People do not feel safe. Randall

Posted in Concealed Carry, Defensive Tactics, Firearms, Off Duty, Officer Safety, Politics, Tactics | 5 Comments

Blue Lives Matter Billboards

Posted on October 11, 2015 by Randall

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.

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Cops to Assist Drug Dealers–For Free!

Posted on August 9, 2015 by Randall

McIntosh County, GA Sheriff Stephen Jessup is offering his department’s services to help drug dealers remove their rivals.  Why should a dope peddler risk those pesky, inconvenient shootouts to solidify their market share?  Hire the cops to take out your trash! MCSO hasn’t had any bites, yet, but I’m sure some of the more thoughtful dealers out there will give this generous offer serious consideration. Randall P.S.  For added fun, let the kids play this like a Mad Lib by inserting wacky words.  “My drug dealing competition is (noun) _a giraffe! _  

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Murders Spike in Baltimore–Cause and Effect?

Posted on June 1, 2015 by Randall

The number of murders in Baltimore during the month of May skyrocketed following the indictments of six police officers in the death of Freddie Gray.  Baltimore had 42 homicides in May 2015.  Of cities with comparable populations, Baltimore’s homicides top those of Boston, Denver, Las Vegas, Louisville, and Nashville–combined!  It is also eight more than in New York City, which has more than ten times the number of residents. Since the indictments, arrests in Baltimore have dropped by 56% from the number of arrests in

Posted in Media, Politics | 1 Comment

Miami Beach PD Cracks Down on Messaging

Posted on May 19, 2015 by Randall

Following a scandal involving 16 sworn officers over racist and sexist emails sent on city accounts, the Miami Beach Police Department has issued new policy requiring the recipients of any inappropriate emails, text messages, or social media postings to immediately report the communications to Internal Affairs. Although a policy had been in place punishing the senders who distribute such banned content, the new directive is aimed at receivers who do not comply and notify IA.  The scale of the original violations of policy and professional conduct apparently resulted in the zero tolerance stance. Former Maj. Angel Vazquez and former Capt. Alex Carulo were responsible for sending over 200 inflammatory emails … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal, Media, Misc., Politics | Tagged | 1 Comment

Dershowitz on Baltimore–Not What You’d Think

Posted on May 2, 2015 by Randall

The following analysis of the Baltimore police arrests was made by liberal Harvard Law Professor Emeritus Alan Dershowitz on Newsmax TV shortly after Baltimore State Attorney Marylin Mosby made her announcement to charge the six officers with murder in Freddie Gray’s death. “I understand why the Mayor and State Attorney want to prevent riots, but that’s not the job of the justice system. You cannot allow police officers or any other defendants to become scapegoats for crowds demanding a continuation of rioting. “There’s no plausible, hypothetical, conceivable case for murder under the facts that we now know them. You might say that conceivably there’s a case for manslaughter. Nobody wanted … Continue reading →

Posted in Media, Politics | 3 Comments

Police Lives Matter

Posted on March 12, 2015 by Randall

I was thinking about the two police officers shot in Ferguson this morning when I remembered this homemade sign placed beside the road in the city where I work.  This impromptu road sign was much like a banner I had seen a few weeks ago in Gibsonton on U.S. 41.  It also read, “Police Lives Matter,” and was displayed over a business.  Both made me reflect that there are many law enforcement supporters out there who are our silent majority.  I appreciate the sentiments.  Speedy recovery to the wounded officers and safe shifts to those on watch… Randall

Posted in Officer Down, Politics, Street | Leave a comment

Police Officers Say, “Walk a Mile in Our Shoes.”

Posted on January 9, 2015 by Randall

Phoenix civil rights activist Rev. Jarrett Maupin and a Fox news reporter go through some standard police use of force scenarios and learn some things about what we as cops face everyday.  It strongly affected their preconceptions.  “We want his badge, we want his gun, we want his job!” Rev. Maupin had chanted earlier at a protest for a police shooting in Phoenix. After this training session with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, Rev. Maupin said,  “I didn’t understand how important compliance was, but after going through this, yeah, my attitude has changed.”  During the Simunition training, both Maupin and the reporter shot an aggressive unarmed man approaching them in … Continue reading →

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Florida First Responder Appreciation Week

Posted on December 30, 2014 by Randall

This came in from the Capitol this week.  It would be a good time to appreciate the sacrifices that all law enforcement officers, firefighters, and EMT’s make each day they put on their uniforms to protect the citizens of the State of Florida.  None of these jobs are easy and each has its own inherent rewards and risks.   Take time out next week to thank someone who pins on a badge.  I know I will. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Governor Rick Scott issued the following proclamation recognizing January 5-9 as Florida First Responder Appreciation Week: FLORIDA FIRST RESPONDER APPRECIATION WEEK WHEREAS, Tarpon Springs Police Officer Charles Kondek and Leon County … Continue reading →

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An Officer’s Opinion of Florida Amendment 2–Medical Marijuana

Posted on October 28, 2014 by Randall

With the upcoming general election looming, I thought I would weigh in on 2014 Florida Constitutional Amendment 2, Use of Marijuana Under Certain Medical Conditions, from a law enforcement officer’s perspective.  I have read the full language of the amendment, as well as the ballot language.  They are included at the end of the article if you wish to peruse them. Frankly, I am alarmed that under Article X, Section 29 (a) Public Policy sections (1), (2), and (3), all patients, personal caregivers, physicians, and marijuana treatment centers will be free from any criminal or civil liability under Florida law as it relates to the amendment.  Of the seventeen states … Continue reading →

Posted in Medical, Misc., Politics | 2 Comments

Deadly Force Policy Change in Miami Beach

Posted on October 15, 2014 by Randall

The Miami Beach Police Department is poised to change its deadly force policy to now prohibit an officer from discharging his or her firearm at a vehicle unless an occupant displays a weapon–not to include the car–or shoots at them.  This move stems from a 2011 incident involving officers shooting at a motorist who tried to run over five Miami Beach police officers. That driver, Raymond Herisse, was shot by officers of both the Miami Beach and Hialeah police departments after his violent behavior during Urban Beach Week.  Herisse died at the scene.  A video of the end of the incident went viral.  The last Miami Beach Police Department shooting … Continue reading →

Posted in Defensive Tactics, Officer Safety, Politics, Street, SWAT, Tactics, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

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