Category Archives: Misc.

FHP Does Dodge Right

It is no secret I love me a Dodge Challenger—I own a 2017 Destroyer Gray R/T. But this is pretty awesome. FHP tweeted:  “Troop G’s newest edition! 2019 FHP Dodge Challenger. New lighting package, Panasonic 360 degree HD cameras, 5.7 HP Hemi, traditional FHP paint scheme, & more. As you can see, we take aggressive driving seriously! Please slow down, buckle up, reduce distractions. We are watching.” I’m driving a 2019 Chevy Tahoe on duty, but I’d rather be working the gas and brake pedals on this ride. What do you think? Randall  

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End of an Era: They Destroyed My H&K MP5

This week, a vendor came to my police department to trade out our Heckler & Koch MP5’s. We had fielded 12 of these little subguns for 29 years. Our then-City Commission approved the purchase of the “advanced” guns following an active shooter in Palm Bay, Florida where four civilians were killed, fourteen wounded, and two outgunned police officers murdered in April of 1987. Having the MP5’s available to our TAC members meant the guns were on the street protecting citizens and officers on every shift, instead of the old school SWAT mentality of having weapons locked up at the station, only to be retrieved in an emergency. 

Posted in Misc., SWAT, Technology | 7 Comments

Just Out For a Jog…

My exercise regimen includes running through my neighborhood. Being outside for a workout adds to its relative enjoyment. Hey, it is still an unwelcome exertion. On one of my recent weekly runs, I was on a very affluent street with waterfront properties. About 50 yards ahead of me I saw a man…sprinting. He was not attired to jog. Hmmm. Dressed in long pants and a dark hoodie, the man crossed the road and cut the corner through the opposite house’s yard. Definitely not normal. A burglar? The residence from which he fled belongs to a noted local restauranteur. As I approached, I saw the home’s garage doors wide open with … Continue reading

Posted in Humor, Misc., Off Duty, Tactics | 4 Comments

State Attorney Censures Officer

Florida’s Tenth Judicial Circuit has issued a “death letter” against a Bartow police officer based upon a social media post in November of last year. This should be yet another warning that police officers do not have First Amendment protections against opinionated, questionable, or inflammatory personal Internet postings. Ofc. Christina Arribas posted the following on Facebook under an alias name after the Presidential election: “Yes!!!! This year we lost two gorillas. One is in heaven, and one is moving out of the White House. One will be missed. One will not be.” Based upon this single post, State Attorney Brian Haas officially wrote to Ofc. Arribas that, “The evidence of … Continue reading

Posted in Legal, Misc. | 2 Comments

Where I have been and where I am going…

Hello, friends. My posting here took a hiatus while I worked very hard to be promoted to lieutenant late last year.  It paid off.  I spent several months in charge of our Detective Division, where I ran Burglary/Auto Theft, Robbery/Homicide, and Vice/Narcotics.  I was then assigned to my new home on the Midnight Shift, with command over our K9 Unit and SWAT Team.  Things became hectic. I miss my sergeant stripes, but the move to gold bars has not been without its own unique challenges.  I have a good crew with competent supervisors and motivated officers under my watch.  The adjustment is to let the shift do its work, monitor … Continue reading

Posted in Misc. | 7 Comments

Last 9/11 SAR Dog Passes

K9 Bretagne (said Brittany) was deployed to Ground Zero in 2001.  She was overcome by old age and health problems this week and was put to sleep.  She was the last known 9/11 search and rescue dog.  Owner/handler Denise Corliss walked her through an honor guard of Cy-Fair firefighters in Harris, Texas.  Bretagne served as a SAR Task Force 1 dog and later with local fire departments.  Thanks for your service, Bretagne. Randall

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Memorial Day

Memorial Day was first observed on May 30, 1868.  It was originally called Decoration Day and flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers in Arlington National Cemetery. Memorial Day is a federal holiday honoring those members of the United States military who have fallen in their service to our country.  Flags should be flown in the morning and lowered to half-staff at noon.  Parades are traditional.  Beginning on the Thursday before Memorial Day members of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division place flags at all 260,000 graves in Arlington National Cemetery. In honor of the National Moment of Remembrance, at 3 p.m., I will be taking time … Continue reading

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National Police Week and Heroes Plaza in Tampa

This week is National Police Week and the National Peace Officers Memorial Day was Sunday, May 15. The 35th Annual Memorial Service was held yesterday in Washington, D.C. It was fitting that I was able to visit Heroes Plaza along the Tampa Riverwalk over the weekend. The Heroes Plaza was dedicated on Sept. 11, 2009. It honors all those in uniform who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country–soldiers, airmen, sailors, police officers, fire fighters, and emergency responders. It was paid for by the City of Tampa and Hillsborough County. Inscribed on granite plaques are the names of law enforcement and firefighters who have lost their lives on duty … Continue reading

Posted in Misc., Officer Down | Leave a comment

ThinBlueHousekeeping

Hi, folks, Randall here.  I’m sorry that I have not been around as much as usual.  My real job became much busier with a lieutenant’s assessment (I didn’t get it), an Internal Affairs sergeant assessment (I didn’t get it), some assorted projects in Property and Economic Crimes, and prepping for my department’s CALEA on-site for Gold Standard accreditation (whew). We have been working with other county police agencies to update our secondhand dealers to the new state law changes for their businesses.  Dealers will now be required to photograph property in the transactions; increase the holding period for precious metals or gems, jewelry, antiques, artworks, or goods purchased through an … Continue reading

Posted in Misc. | 2 Comments

Gainesville Officer Shoots…Hoops

Well, they did lower the rim for the dunk. Randall

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New Glock MOS Pistols

Today, Glock introduced two new MOS (Modular Optics System) pistols at the SHOT Show.  Here is their press release: Las Vegas, Nev. – Jan. 18, 2016  Today, GLOCK, Inc., announced the release of two new pistols to join the Modular Optic System (MOS) series, the G17 Gen4 in MOS and the G19 Gen4 in MOS. Now, two of GLOCK’s best selling pistols are available with milled slides designed specifically to be adaptable to multiple optic systems without costly customization. The G17 Gen4 MOS and G19 Gen4 MOS are the ideal addition to the series as the market continues to trend toward optic-ready everyday carry and defense.

Posted in Firearms, Misc. | Tagged | Leave a comment

Gun Control Sells More Guns

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

National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day

The following is from the Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.) website: National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day (L.E.A.D.) On January 9th, 2016, partnering organizations in support of law enforcement officers nationwide will promote National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day (L.E.A.D.). In light of recent negativity directed toward law enforcement nationally, there is a need to show law enforcement officers that our citizens recognize the difficult and sometimes impossible career they have chosen, in public service to us all. On January 9th of each year we will call our nation’s citizens to action in support of law enforcement. Those citizens who appreciate law enforcement and are discouraged about the negative attention being given … Continue reading

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A Christmas Concert

My daughter’s college held a Christmas Gala last week where she was a member of the chorus. It was a beautiful show celebrating the season’s good will toward men (and women). The audience was filled with festively-dressed folks, many of them smiling seniors. Was it wrong for me to be thinking about radicalized violence? A Christian event drawing over a thousand people could be a prime target in these particular times. Once seated, I discreetly checked out the tactical options. Should something go down, where were the exits people would attempt to funnel through? What would constitute cover and/or concealment? How could an attack unfold, given the layout of

Posted in Misc., Off Duty, Tactics | 2 Comments

Gun Violence Remains in Decline

The story here, for me, is the Centers for Disease Control publishing data showing current gun deaths at rates lower than the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s.  The Mainstream Media would have you believe we are suffering through the worst gun violence in American history.  In fact, the Washington Post Blog’s headline for the above graphic was, “Guns are now killing as many people as cars in the U.S.”  Wholly suggestive. The Pew Research Center published their own graphics based upon the same CDC information.  Although Pew used slightly different measures, the trend was consistent.  Gun violence fell in the 1990s and has remained steady at pre-1970

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