Yearly Archives: 2012

BDS Tactical HydroBull Taurus Hydration Pack Review

Posted on September 24, 2012 by Randall

I got tired of seeing tags inside my nylon gear that said, “Made in Some-Asian-Country-istan.”  I have been trying to throw my hard earned treasury notes at more products Made in our United States of America.  When I sought out a new hydration pack, I typed “Made in USA” into the all-knowing search engine. One of the top entries with which I was rewarded was BDS Tactical.  BDS makes high quality nylon gear in their production facility in Oceanside, CA.  The president and CEO of BDS Tactical is Michael Bornfriend, a USMC 1st Recon Bn and Baltimore PD veteran, who tired of failed tactical equipment. BDS Tactical makes a rugged … Continue reading →

Posted in Off Duty, Tactical Bags | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Evolution of the Police TASER

Posted on September 20, 2012 by Randall

There is no doubt that one of the most significant technological advances in law enforcement over the last twenty years has been the development and deployment of Electronic Control Devices (EDC’s) for less lethal suspect management. The father of the modern EDC was the late Dr. John “Jack” Higson Cover, Jr., a nuclear physicist and NASA scientist.  He envisioned an electric weapon that could immobilize a person without the harm of a firearm.  In 1974, Cover patented an ECD named after the 1911 novel Tom Swift and his Electric Rifle—hence the name TASER. Cover’s original TASER Systems TF-1 was classified as an NFA Title II weapon by the BATF based … Continue reading →

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DeSantis Mag-Packer Pocket Magazine Carrier Review

Posted on September 18, 2012 by Randall

Last night I went for a casual dinner with my wife.  I wear either jeans or slacks when we go out.  Not wanting to feel like I am equipped with a duty belt, I pocket carried my Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 380.  Inexpensive, functional pocket holsters are available from makers such as Galco, Uncle Mike’s, and DeSantis.  But how to bring along more bullets… DeSantis Holster and Leather Goods of Amityville, NY, makes the Mag-Packer carrier, which solves the reload dilemma when you are dressed to tactically relax (heh, heh, heh). I was in the bad habit of dropping a spare magazine or revolver speed strip into my support side … Continue reading →

Posted in Concealed Carry, Firearms, Off Duty | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

KA-BAR TDI Knife Review: Unsafe for Duty

Posted on September 13, 2012 by Randall

When I arrived at work yesterday, there was some buzz about a training incident between an FTO and a recruit that had occurred earlier in the day.  It seems that it was our new recruits’ first day in the blue uniform.  Some of them were assigned to Daywatch.  After roll call, they were examined by their training officers. One of the FTO’s noticed a strange handle sticking out of the front of the recruit’s gun belt.  Yes, it was a KA-BAR TDI knife, ostensibly designed for an officer’s last ditch self defense. The FTO had never actually handled a TDI, but he had heard of them.  To demonstrate the vulnerability … Continue reading →

Posted in Knives, Officer Safety | Tagged , , , | 33 Comments

9/11 Observance

Posted on September 11, 2012 by Randall

On Tuesday, September 11, 2001, I was nearly two hours into a Daywatch patrol shift when I decided to swing by a high school and visit with the School Resource Officer.  The school was in my sector and the SRO was by himself.  With more than 2000 students, I knew he needed some back-up on occasion. As I entered his office, I saw him intently staring at the television and absently chewing a Twizzler.  He did not look up at me when I came in.  I sat down next to him and asked what was going on.  “Not sure,” he said.  It was about 8:50 am.  We began watching the … Continue reading →

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Jupiter PD Officer Killed in Presidential Motorcade

Posted on September 10, 2012 by Randall

Jupiter Police Ofc. Bruce St. Laurent was killed yesterday while engaged in a police motorcade escorting President Obama.  Ofc. St. Laurent’s motorcycle was hit by a truck as the officer was shutting down I-95 at 45th Street in West Palm Beach.  The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and Florida Highway Patrol are investigating the crash. Ofc. St. Laurent, 55, was a 20 year veteran of the Jupiter Police Department.  He was a motor officer for the last 18 years.  Ofc. St. Laurent had participated in several past presidential motorcades. Funeral arrangements will be announced by the Jupiter Police Department. Randall  

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Crimson Trace Lasergrip LG-405’s For Your BUG Revolver

Posted on September 9, 2012 by Randall

Most cops are not gun guys or gals.  I know from talking to them.  I was showing my unloaded Smith & Wesson 442 Centennial Airweight back-up gun to a co-worker, when a few others happened into the office. “How does it turn on? ”  “Is it accurate?”  “Are they expensive?”  I felt like I was showing them a Ray Gun from 1950’s science fiction.  “Careful, lads, it’ll blast a hole clean through that wall!” I run Crimson Trace Lasergrips on my Smith & Wesson J-frame revolvers.  My choice is the LG-405, which has slightly shorted hind quarters when compared to the longer gripped LG-305.  The smaller butt on the 405 … Continue reading →

Posted in Concealed Carry, Firearms, Technology | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Visit to Venture Ballistic Composites Shield Factory

Posted on September 5, 2012 by Randall

I was in Pinellas County yesterday to visit the manufacturing plant for Venture Ballistic Composites, Inc., a maker of  bullet-resistant shields for law enforcement and the Military.  Venture’s President Todd Garrett talked shop and showed me their proprietary method for building ballistic shields.  He even demonstrated this by building one from the ground up while I was there.  Very cool!  No photos, please–trade secrets. Venture Ballistics is a strongly anchored Florida company that uses American made products and buys from vendors within 50 miles of the shop.  Garrett said their aim is to produce shields which exceed NIJ standards for protection, are lightweight, and are affordable.  In the first year … Continue reading →

Posted in Florida Companies, Protective Armor, Technology | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Milspec Plastics’ Cobra Cuff is NTOA Member Approved

Posted on September 4, 2012 by Randall

Milspec Plastics touts their Cobra Cuffs as “the only patented double-locking, foldable, disposable restraint” on the market.  Strong, UV stabilized, and Made in the USA, the Cobra Cuff has a restraining strap riveted to the zip-tie to aid in prisoner control through leverage.  Milspec said their product has a 300+ lbs. assembled tensile strength.  Their latest press release is below. Randall MILSPEC PLASTICS COBRA CUFFS ARE NATIONAL TACTICAL OFFICERS ASSOCIATION (NTOA) MEMBER TESTED AND RECOMMENDED Asheville, NC (August 2012) – Milspec Plastics, manufacturer of the patented Cobra Cuffs and distributor of additional arrest, riot control and personal security products for law enforcement, corrections, military and professional security agents, has secured … Continue reading →

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Rob Pincus on “Irresponsible Open Carry Activism” and the Second Amendment

Posted on August 30, 2012 by Randall

Rob Pincus is a former law enforcement officer, SWAT member, and world-renowned firearms and personal defense trainer.  Below was his response to what he sees as a threat to open carry and gun rights, in general.  I agree with his viewpoint. He asked Grant Cunningham to post this on his blog, and Mr. Cunningham gave me the go-ahead to reprint here.  I think it relevant,  in light of the obnoxious behavior by the wanna-be activists against Oregon cops that went viral last week… Irresponsible Open Carry Activism Jeopardizes The RKBA Guns should be carried for personal defense, not Activism. The best way to do that 99% of the time is … Continue reading →

Posted in Concealed Carry, Defensive Tactics, Legal, Media | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

CRKT Zilla Tool Jr. Review

Posted on August 28, 2012 by Randall

I carry too much stuff.  My Blackhawk MOB Bag began to weigh waayy more than it should.  I started trying to pare down its load.  A heavy full-sized multi-tool was one thing to go.  I must have at least two big plier/knife/driver combos in the Crown Vic.  A smaller tool can make do in my daily tote. I chose a Columbia River Knife and Tool Zilla Tool Jr. to satisfy my everyday engineering requirements.  The CRKT Zilla Jr. can turn a bolt or screw, strip wire, or cut that which needs parting.  It can perform these chores and save me a quarter pound in travel weight. The Zilla is not … Continue reading →

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NYPD Officers Forced Into Difficult Shooting Scenario

Posted on August 26, 2012 by Randall

My headline was not the one I read on a mainstream media news website.  It said something like, “NYPD Shoots Nine Bystanders Before Killing Suspect.”  Considering  that in a crowd of people, the two officers shot sixteen bullets and hit a gun-wielding homicide suspect nine times at center of mass, I’d say my headline is closer to reality. The suspect, Jeffrey Johnson, is seen at the top center of the video walking toward the left and carrying a briefcase.  Officers Craig Matthews and Robert Sinishtaj enter from the top right.  Johnson was walking from the scene where he had just shot a co-worker five times in the head with a … Continue reading →

Posted in Media, Officer Safety, Street | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Open Firearms Carry Wastes Officers’ Time

Posted on August 24, 2012 by Randall

I saw this on another blog and it reminded me that there are conservative factions attempting to legalize open carry in Florida. In the densely populated, urban county in which I live, I fear that dwindling police services will have resources drained by these types of calls for service from alarmed citizens. This video is an example of two guys just trying to waste the officers’ time with obstructive discourse. Nice job by the officer. Yeah, we don’t always articulate things perfectly. Just the same, he is courteous and professional in the face of the amateur armed “confrontationalists.” The officer’s function check of what he discovered to be a .22 … Continue reading →

Posted in Firearms, Officer Safety, Street | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Galco Stow-N-Go Holster Review

Posted on August 21, 2012 by Randall

Galco International began making gun leather as the Famous Jackass Leather Company in Chicago circa 1969.  Probably their most known product is the Original Jackass Rig shoulder holster worn by Don Johnson in the Miami Vice TV show of the 1980’s. I was in college in 1984 when Sonny Crockett was running around Metro Dade toting his signature 10mm Auto Bren Ten in that Jackass Rig.  It looked pretty cool then, but years down the road as a detective I tried a shoulder holster only to find that it is not exactly practical here in the tropical South. I do have a Galco holster that I wear in civvies, though.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Concealed Carry, Firearms | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Pensacola Officer Arrested for Battering DUI Suspect

Posted on August 19, 2012 by Randall

The Pensacola Police Department fired K9 Officer Christopher Geraci for excessive force on Friday, then arrested him for misdemeanor battery in connection with his hit and run/DUI investigation on August 2. Suspect Abbi Bonds struck several cars with her late model Chevy Camaro at 2:30 in the morning.  Her vehicle was disabled with heavy damage and pulled to the side of the road several blocks from the crash scene when Geraci found her. After Geraci orders her back into her car several times, she refuses while continuing to talk on her cell phone.  He attempts to handcuff her.  As he does so, he tries to rotate her against her car.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal, Politics, Street | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments