Is the Officer Wellness Trend Inflicting More Damage?

Posted on July 17, 2026 by Randall
Colorful photo of sad officer

Anyone else tired of the “officer wellness” rhetoric? Gee, somehow veteran cops survived the difficult shifts without all the attention and sympathy that the next generation apparently needs in this line of work. Policing is becoming a soft profession. I guess it is the same for all First Responders. Doing the job in today’s world apparently makes you a victim.

Yeah, showing emotions meant showing weakness for past generations, but surviving also meant having the trust of your peers. Your partners back then were baby boomers who had a much less doting upbringing than you. Opinions were as black and white was the police cars. If it’s bleeding, rub some dirt in it and move on.

I’ll admit the old timers perspective was harsh. These were guys steeped in the cauldrons of the Korean and Vietnam conflicts and the American-Irish view of policing. A wood baton and leather sap had a legitimate place in attitude adjustment. Men were rough. Fights were more hand-to-hand combat than defensive tactics. Gun battles were revolver serious. And then law enforcement changed. 

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Posted in Detectives, Officer Down, Officer Safety, Politics, Street | Tagged , | Leave a comment

What Did K9 Handling Look Like Decades Ago?

Posted on June 30, 2026 by Randall
Police K9 Handler and Dog

Thirty-five years ago today, I graduated from the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Patrol K9 School. It was 17 weeks of grueling training where my dog and I learned the basics of man tracking, apprehension, area search, building search, and obedience. There was a State of Florida Standards Examination at the end, where we had to demonstrate our proficiency. We passed and were remanded to our respective agencies for duty. I had never been so scared.

K9 School taught us the basics of patrol dog handling in a fairly sterile, safe environment. We tracked and caught fellow handlers as decoys. But our first police calls would be up against real “bad guys.” Meaning felons and desperate criminals. It had all been training and fun for the dogs up to this. We had to figure out the rest on our own.

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Does Your Police Uniform Look Professional?

Posted on February 23, 2026 by Randall
Two police officers in uniform, standing.
Ofc’s Reed and Malloy in Adam-12 tv show—NBC Studios

When did we lose the spit and polish? As a rookie, I was taught a tight police uniform garnered respect. Brass and nameplate properly placed, gig line met, “cables” cut, shined leather duty belt and boots. “Uniform” means we all look correct. Sadly, things have changed over the decades.

When I retired, the chief said he had drawn a line in the sand. Concessions had been made for some visible non-offensive tattoos, but all the other trendy style changes the officers desired were off the table. No sleeve tattoos, outer vests, beards, or ball caps for street officers. So I had my retirement party and parted ways. And then things went off the rails. 

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Posted in Humor, Misc., Street, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

A Revolver Qualification Brings Out the Old Guys

Posted on October 22, 2025 by Randall
Author's qualification Smith & Wesson Model 64
Author’s qualification Smith & Wesson Model 64.

A month ago, I visited the range with my former police agency to qualify for my LEOSA card, also known as H.B. 218, for off-duty carry. I mixed in at the firing line with officers I knew and some I didn’t. When I strapped on my gun belt, one of the guys with whom I had worked was taken aback. “What is that?” he asked, staring at my waist. “A revolver, of course,” I answered. “But why?” he inquired.

I went to the Police Academy in 1987. Back then, all 25 police agencies in my Florida county still shot wheelguns. My department was the very first to transition to the autoloader, so I was taught on both the revolver and automatic platforms. I was issued a Smith & Wesson Model 64 revolver and a Model 669 in auto, representing each respective weapons system. I was familiarized on both. The revolver was turned back into the armorer after the Academy.

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Posted in Firearms, Off Duty, Officer Safety, Technology | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

My Police Retirement Made Easy

Posted on May 21, 2025 by Randall

It was quite a wild ride, but I have left sworn law enforcement behind. After 33 years of service, I retired as a Major from my first police department. The very next day, I joined a smaller agency and served four years as a Captain before leaving the profession…uh, lifestyle.

It was time. You don’t want to stay too long at the party. Dinosaurs, like draft animals, need to be put out to pasture. I was brought up on the spit and polish of a squared-away uniform. When outer vests (MOLLE festooned with trinkets), full beards, and sleeve tattoos are the order of the day, old dogs need to move aside.

I served in FTO, K9, SWAT, Detective Division while an officer. Later, I supervised these sections as a Sergeant. In my waning years, I was a Lieutenant and the Commander for each unit before being voluntold into Internal Affairs, Accreditation, and Training. I was also the Public Information Officer for four years and gave grave press conferences.

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Yes, It’s Florida Snow

Posted on January 21, 2025 by Randall

Florida Panhandle today. Photo: FHP

From the Florida Highway Patrol:

“Important Reminder: If you do not need to be on the road, stay safe and stay home!

Snow, sleet, and ice can impact the roads and your ability to drive safely, especially if you are not used to the conditions, as many Floridians are.”

Be safe out there. And warm.

Randall

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Old and New Rides

Posted on January 10, 2025 by Randall

This is not my photo, but it mirrors my career. I started out in a 1985 Dodge Diplomat squad car, like the one on the right. My latest cruiser was a Ford Interceptor, shown on the left. For me, it has been a 37 year wild ride from patrol officer to command staff and major’s clusters.

Technology has progressed from Smith & Wesson Model 64 revolvers to Sig Sauer P320 semi-autos. As a rookie, I never thought I would be in SWAT or K9 or detective division.

My career has been a dream job I could not have imagined.

Randall

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Throwback to the 1990’s Ford Mustang SSP

Posted on January 20, 2020 by Randall

Automobile Magazine recently published an article about the 1990-era Ford Mustang Special Service Police packages that were sold to New York State Police, California Highway Patrol, Florida Highway Patrol, and other law enforcement agencies. My local sheriff had some and I remember them roaring past us in Continue reading →

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FHP Does Dodge Right

Posted on July 21, 2019 by Randall

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

Posted on January 13, 2019 by Randall

Destroyed receiver from #364

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.  Continue reading →

Posted in Misc., SWAT, Technology | 7 Comments

GeePlate Finger Rest for Glocks

Posted on March 3, 2018 by Randall

Way back in August of 2012, I wrote a review of the GAP Enterprises Finger Rest Extension for Glock pistols. I have since been told that their website is offline and the product has not been available for about a year. I was contacted by GeePlate.com, who is now making a similar product shown here.

GeePlate stands for Glock Essential Enhancement magazine base Plate. Way back in 2012, I extolled the virtues of having an extra bit of purchase at the base of the Continue reading →

Posted in Concealed Carry, Firearms | 4 Comments

Back to the Police Belt Knife

Posted on March 22, 2017 by Randall

Back in the Dark Ages of the 1980’s, when I was a rookie, there was pretty much one standard knife carried by police officers and that was the now-venerable Buck 110. Along with a revolver, the sturdy lock back folder went in its leather pouch on an officer’s duty belt. The one-handed opening pocket knife had not yet been popularized.

A new cop is often a “gadget guy.” You look for cool things to buy and hang on your belt or to stockpile in your car. Since knives are rarely issued to patrolmen, selecting one could be an important and fun endeavor. My feeling, at the time, was that the Buck 110 was a bit conventional and rather heavy at 7.5 ounces, so I went looking for an alternative.

Enter the Kershaw Black Horse. The BH had the same 3.75″ blade length as the 110, but dipped the gun belt less at a reasonable 4.5 ounces. Another plus in the Kershaw’s column was its Continue reading →

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Just Out For a Jog…

Posted on March 16, 2017 by Randall

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 a Range Rover and Porsche within. Troubling. Continue reading →

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

State Attorney Censures Officer

Posted on March 11, 2017 by Randall

Bartow Ofc. Arribas, courtesy BPD.

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 your bias is so strong, that your credibility is damaged to the point that this office will no longer use you as a witness in any of our cases.”

“It wasn’t a tough decision,” said Haas. “There’s no place for those kind of comments from a law enforcement officer who is going to be coming into court and testifying about evidence.”

A local church group began protesting outside Bartow’s police department last week. The SAO first heard of the Facebook post then. The group is calling for Arribas and the Bartow chief to be fired.

Arribas’ career is essentially over. Although she was disciplined by her department with a two day suspension without pay for violating the agency’s social media policy, the SAO letter will, in effect, preclude her from working in law enforcement anywhere. Be forewarned that as a cop, your behavior is under constant scrutiny.

Randall

Update:  On March 23, Bartow PD Chief Joe Hall fired Ofc. Arribas.

 

Posted in Legal, Misc. | 2 Comments

Where I have been and where I am going…

Posted on March 8, 2017 by Randall

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 the service delivery, and get them what they need.  Trust your troops.  I still manage the big calls and have not hesitated to blow the dust off my rifle and plate carrier when needed.

I plan to weigh in here when the time permits.  I still have much to say.  Watch out for your partners and stay safe.

Randall

Posted in Misc. | 7 Comments