Monthly Archives: February 2012

Update to LAPD Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 380 Review

Posted on February 27, 2012 by Randall

I wrote a review for BlueSheepdog.com of the new LAPD-approved Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 380 pistol in September of last year.  I thought I would give you an update as to my continuing experience with the gun. This being Florida, I would say that firearm choices for concealed carry are sometimes dictated by the hot weather clothing.  For many of us, it is difficult to conceal even a medium-sized pistol or revolver when the temperatures soar into the high 90’s with the oppressive humidity.  Shorts and a t-shirt only help with the heat a little. The Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 380, which was officially approved for on duty back-up and … Continue reading →

Posted in Concealed Carry, Firearms, Off Duty | Tagged , , , , , | 106 Comments

Miami SWAT Officer Cleared in Shooting; State Attorney Questions Policy

Posted on February 24, 2012 by Randall

It was New Year’s Eve 2011 and Ofc. Maurice Sodre was part of a mobile nine-man Miami Police Department SWAT team detailed to assist MPD road units with shots fired calls or other emergencies based upon the holiday. At approximately 0145 hrs on 1/1/2011, the detail, driving in two black unmarked Ford Excursion SUV’s, responded to the area of 1st Place and 15 Street in Overtown for a report of shots fired.  As they approached the area, the officers saw four males at the intersection, one of whom began to walk, and then run, northbound. The male, Lynn Weatherspoon, was ordered to stop by several of the responding SWAT members.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal, SWAT | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Supreme Court: Miranda Not Required for Prisoners

Posted on February 22, 2012 by Randall

On 2/21/2012, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled in the case of Howes, Warden vs. Fields, No. 10-680.  This case addresses the issue of police questioning of a prisoner without giving Miranda Warnings.  The High Court held that Miranda protections do not apply to prisoners, as long as certain circumstances are present. What is interesting about the majority opinion, written by Justice Samuel J. Alito, and joined by Justices Roberts, Scalia, Kennedy, Thomas, and Kagans, is the reasoning the Court used in overturning the U.S. Court of Appeals Sixth Circuit assertion that the interview of prisoner Randall Fields by sheriff’s deputies was a custodial interrogation. Although it is … Continue reading →

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Ofc. David Crawford Murdered A Year Ago Today

Posted on February 21, 2012 by Randall

One year ago today, St. Petersburg Police Ofc. David S. Crawford was murdered in the line of duty by Nicholas Lindsey.  St. Petersburg Police was still reeling from the murders of Sgt. Tom Baitinger and K9 Ofc. Jeffrey Yaslowitz, less than a month earlier. To say our local law enforcement community was crushed would be a severe understatement.  Many of the officers and deputies involved in the manhunt for Lindsey were also involved in the response and investigation of the previous officers’ killings. My department had a large class of rookies in field training.  I guess it didn’t hurt for the sober realities of this profession to hit them early.  … Continue reading →

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What Do You Carry In Your SWAT Gear?

Posted on February 20, 2012 by Randall

I was rummaging through my very old SWAT ballistic vest the other day in the garage.  Some odds and ends in the main MOLLE pouch included: A Gerber Multi-Plier, Benchmade A.F.O. autofolder, two AR-15 mags, two Sig .40 cal. mags, flex cuffs, Streamlight Stinger, two spare TASER cartridges, ballistic glasses, ear protection, Nomex gloves, Nomex balaclava, latex gloves, window punch/seat belt cutter, lensatic compass, AA Mini-Maglite with red lens, notepad and pen, about 50′ of black paracord, spare flashbang pin, chalk, and a black Sharpie marker. Most of this gear, or older stuff just like it, had been my standard load-out for over twenty years of tactical operations.  Though I … Continue reading →

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Clay County Deputy is First Florida Officer Killed in 2012

Posted on February 18, 2012 by Randall

Clay County Sheriff’s Detective David White was shot and killed Thursday during the investigation of a methamphetamine lab at a residence in Middleburg, FL.  Detective Matt Hanlin was wounded by gunfire in the same raid.  He is in serious but stable condition. Detectives went to the single family dwelling in the 4800 Block of Alligator Boulevard on a tip of a meth lab.  The house was vacant, had a power cord running to it from a neighboring house, and was believed to be occupied by squatters.  The homeowner, Terrance Smith, gave deputies permission to go and enter the house. Nine deputies arrived at the house.  White and Hanlin were at … Continue reading →

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New SRM Arms Model 1216 Shotgun Shipping

Posted on February 17, 2012 by Randall

The new SRM Arms model 1216 12 gauge shotgun is shipping.  GSA Direct’s Sam Hoge sent me this video of the SRM in action.  The SRM 1216 is a totally new design with features not found on any other scattergun. I was able to handle a 1216 on the SHOT Show floor last month.  The toggle for rotating the magazine is large and easy to use.  This shows in the video, as you can see how fast the “drum” is turned to access each successive tube of ammo.  It would warm my heart to have all these shotshells on tap in a critical incident. According to SRM Arms, the 1216 … Continue reading →

Posted in Firearms, SHOT Show | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Review of the New Kahr Arms CM40

Posted on February 14, 2012 by Randall

I had the pleasure to shoot the new Kahr Arms CM40 at SHOT Show 2012 Media Day at the Range.  The CM40 is the .40 cal. version of Kahr’s sub-compact polymer framed pistol.  At an MSRP of $517.00, the CM40’s price point is over $250.00 less than a comparable Kahr PM40.  I think the new gun is a winner for powerful concealed carry. Kahr’s new CM series differs from the PM series in that the barrel on the CM has conventional rifling and not the match grade polygonal rifled barrel of a PM.  In addition, to save on cost the CM series has simple engraving on the slide, a pinned … Continue reading →

Posted in Concealed Carry, Firearms, Off Duty, SHOT Show | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

Police Profiling for Officer Safety

Posted on February 13, 2012 by Randall

I was driving to work last night in my personal car.  My route takes me through a relatively rundown section of the city where I work.  I always tend to scan around as I drive, which sometimes prompts my wife to say, “Stop patrolling!” On this night, I saw some people walking around and from the anonymity of my own car, I thought about the nature of my observations as a citizen verses those of a law enforcement officer.  A red light stopped me at a cross street. A young black male was walking up to the intersection.  I gave him the once over:  baggy black basketball shorts, loose black … Continue reading →

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Wife of Murdered Tampa Cop Faces Killer

Posted on February 11, 2012 by Randall

Yesterday in sentencing phase of the murder trial of Tampa, Florida Police Corporal Mike Roberts, his wife delivered a statement to the Court, which was directed squarely at his killer, Humberto Delgado, Jr.  The following is the transcript of Cindy Roberts’ words to the man who murdered her husband: “Your honor, I would like to thank you for this opportunity to address the court. During my victim’s impact testimony the defense team was able to censor my statement and I did not feel that that followed the spirit of what the victim’s impact statement was supposed to provide. “But mostly, I want to speak to you [addressing Delgado]. You, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Florida Police Cadet Still Missing, Presumed Dead

Posted on February 10, 2012 by Randall

On March 13, 2011, the Pinellas County, Florida Sheriff’s Office began investigating the disappearance of Pinellas County Police Academy Cadet Kelly Rothwell. Rothwell, 35, has not been found. In a press release on June 14, 2011, PCSO named Rothwell’s boyfriend, David R. Perry, as a suspect in her disappearance. Rothwell was last seen on March 12, 2011 at 3:30 p.m. when she left a Clearwater restaurant to go home and break up with Perry. Her green 2007 Subaru Outback was found two miles south of her Indian Rocks Beach residence the next day. Friends and family have not heard from her since. Rothwell did not attend class on March 14 … Continue reading →

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The Untouchables Arrested in Florida/Kentucky Pill Mill Sting

Posted on February 8, 2012 by Randall

A case from last week proves that slowing the sale of legal prescription pills for illegitimate purposes is more difficult than was thought.  Though Florida’s Attorney General Pam Bondi has made it a priority to shut down “pill mills,” and the illegal drug infrastructure they support, initial controls are not yet putting a squeeze on the flow. On 2/3/2012, Franklin County, Kentucky Sheriff Pat Melton announced the arrest of nearly 30 individuals wanted in the large scale distribution of Oxycodone and other pills obtained from Florida pharmacies.  It was called Operation Untouchable. The nickname for the criminal syndicate came from the wording “The Untouchables” and a photo of group members … Continue reading →

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Spyderco Previews New Pygmy Warrior Knife

Posted on February 6, 2012 by Randall

Back in May 2011, I attended the Special Operations Forces Industry Conference in Tampa, Florida.  At the Vendor Exhibit, I spied the familiar profile of the Warrior combat knife in the Spyderco Booth.  Kristi Hunter, Spyderco’s Government Sales Specialist, allowed me to handle the prototype for their Pygmy Warrior, a scaled down version of the Warrior. I liked the size, weight, and overall ergonomics of this small fighter.  It being the sole prototype at the time, I was more than a little proud to have examined and manipulated it.  The Pygmy Warrior has a definite place as a back-up knife on a SWAT operator’s vest. The Warrior knife has a … Continue reading →

Posted in Knives, SHOT Show, SWAT | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Voodoo Tactical Armor Carrier Review

Posted on February 3, 2012 by Randall

Despite the fact that the trunk of my Crown Victoria Police Interceptor resembles a scaled down version of our Tactical Room, I have gone out and bought a Voodoo Tactical 20-8399 Plate Carrier to add some serious protection to my kit. Bailout bags are all the rage. I prefer a bailout load-bearing vest for patrol work, for that time when you need extra ammo, medical equipment, and basic tools in a critical incident.  I’m now going up the ante and say an armor plate carrier is the best bet of all three options. When working the street, we wear soft body armor.  It should be NIJ Standard 0101.06 Level IIIa.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Officer Safety, SHOT Show, Street | Tagged , , | 16 Comments

Karbon Arms Touts Court Victory over Taser

Posted on February 2, 2012 by Randall

In a press release on 1/30/2012, Karbon Arms, a Tampa, FL based manufacturer of electronic control devices (ECD), sent out a press release detailing what they described as a victory over Taser International’s “unethical behavior.”  Read the details below. Karbon Arms, a leader in electronic immobilization technology prevailed in the U.S. District Court. In the court filing, Taser International (NASDAQ: TASR) falsely accused Karbon Arms of violating a court ordered injunction. Karbon was vindicated of the baseless allegation by Rick Smith, Taser’s CEO, that Karbon is “seeking to evade the Court’s injunction through subversive means.” In the hearing to determine whether Karbon Arms is selling an infringing version of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal, Taser | Tagged , , | 1 Comment