Monthly Archives: November 2013

LaserLyte Introduces Laser Can Plinking!

Posted on November 27, 2013 by Randall

Press release from LaserLyte: COTTONWOOD, AZ (November 2013) – LaserLyte®, innovators in firearms laser technologies, is proud to introduce the innovative and entertaining Laser-Plinking-Can. When hit with a laser from any of the LaserLyte® training cartridges or other laser trainer tools, the cans react by jumping up and falling over just as a real can would. This reaction is all powered by a 9V battery (included) and a spring loaded plunger released by a solenoid. To reset the cans, simply stand them up and depress the plunger. The LaserLyte® laser reactive Laser Plinking Can Set provides hours of training and entertainment indoors or outdoors without the cost of ammunition or … Continue reading →

Posted in Firearms | 1 Comment

New Firebird Tactical Reactive Targets

Posted on November 25, 2013 by Randall

I kept seeing flashes and smoke at the west end of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office Range at SWAT Round-Up International.  At the far north end of vendor row, I got to speak to Andrew Mahwhinney of Firebird Tactical.  He showed us some of the cool metal target discs that react when hit by bullets. Firebird Tactical, a division of Firebird Reactive Targets, Ltd., was started to introduce their parent company’s products to the Military and Law Enforcement.  SWAT Round-Up International is the U.S. launch of the brand.  Firebird Tactical markets 40mm and 65mm-sized targets called either SniperFire Standard or SniperFire Mil-spec.  SniperFire Standard targets affix to a backer with … Continue reading →

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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 →

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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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SWAT Round-Up International In Orlando This Week

Posted on November 13, 2013 by Randall

I am in Orlando this week for the Florida Law Enforcement Property Recovery Unit (FLEPRU) conference.  On my way over, I just had to stop at the Orange County Sheriff’s Sheriff’s Office Range for the annual SWAT Round-Up International.  I competed here in the 1990’s and again one last time in 2006. I visited the vendors and will post some photos of some cool stuff I saw.  In the meantime, I was able to see an old friend from my Academy days some 26 years ago.  He works out here and is doing well.

Posted in Detectives, SWAT | 3 Comments

Sending Them Out to Play in Traffic

Posted on November 11, 2013 by Randall

It was my first week back in Detective Bureau.  I was getting a slice with some of the guys when I got a call from my lieutenant.  “Yeah, Boss?”  “You better check on Wheaten and Milner; they requested uniformed back-up,” he said.  Day two in DB and I hadn’t even programmed all the investigators’ numbers into my phone.  Figured.  “Right away, Boss.” Just before lunch, Wheaten told me he and Milner were going to interview and arrest a grand theft suspect for whom he had probable cause at a particular nursing home.  At least I knew where they were.  I reached Milner on the phone.  “All good?”  She said, “We … Continue reading →

Posted in Detectives, Officer Safety | Tagged | 1 Comment

Thank a Veteran

Posted on November 11, 2013 by Randall

Yesterday, I discovered a very old photograph of my grandfather on my mother’s side.  I do not know much about him and he passed away long ago.  In the picture I found of him, he was in uniform. I had never seen the photograph before.  He fought in the Pacific in World War II.  And he was wearing sergeant stripes…  I smiled and shared it with my wife.  My dad was a Navy PO2 and his father was an infantry sergeant in WWI. I appreciate their service and that of all our military veterans.  We owe them all a great debt of gratitude on this Veterans Day. Randall

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Video Captures Daytona Beach Police OIS

Posted on November 8, 2013 by Randall

Daytona Beach Police Department released this video of their officers engaging a hostage taker on September 25, 2013.  The officer involved shooting was captured on a body camera worn by one of the officers.  Former New York Giants player Jermaine Lanier Green, 32, was holding his girlfriend at knife point when the officers entered the home. In reviewing the video of the Daytona Beach OIS, I noted a few things.  At the outset, the officers assess the situation from witnesses on scene.  The first responders take immediate action based on there being an armed, mentally ill (“Signal 0 with a knife, Signal 20.”) person holding a hostage inside the residence.  … Continue reading →

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New Morphix Technologies TraceX Explosives Detector Kits

Posted on November 5, 2013 by Randall

Morphix Technologies is releasing a new explosives detector kit, which is made to test for home made explosives (HME) and improvised explosive devices (IED).  I received a Morphix Chameleon Chemical Detector kit, which I reviewed in April of 2012.  It is good basic technology for the rank and file.  The Morphix TraceX HME kit tests for nine different explosive families in under three minutes with a single swabbing.  The results are clearly indicated in the window of the test box.  The kit is rugged and sealed in its own protective plastic case, which fits in a cargo pocket.  No word on pricing for the TraceX, but the Chameleon was running … Continue reading →

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FRS Recoups $28 Million in Settlement

Posted on November 2, 2013 by Randall

The Florida Attorney General’s Office announced a settlement in the qui tam fraud complaint filed against the Florida Retirement System’s custodian financial institution, the Bank of New York Mellon.  BNYM is accused of overcharging the FRS by millions of dollars.  This should be a relief for those of you in FRS.  According to a statement released by AG Pam Bondi: “Every penny that state and local employees entrust to Florida’s pension fund is hard-earned. Today, we announced that we reached a $28 million settlement with Florida’s custodian bank, the Bank of New York Mellon, resolving allegations that the bank overcharged the Florida Retirement System Trust Fund by millions of dollars … Continue reading →

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