K9 Hijinx

Posted on October 4, 2013 by Randall

RunningDogOkay, M@ reminded me of a story.  Back when I was in K9, when things were “in black and white” as a snarky friend once observed, a handler from a nearby agency told me about something that happened to him one night.

It seems that at this particular department, they found a novel use for the K9 teams.  During narcotic buys-busts, a handler and dog would be hidden in the trunk of the undercover car.  When the narc dicks up front had completed a drug deal, they would give a short honk on the horn and, Surprise!, the K9 team would pop out to apprehend any runners.  Sounds fun, right?

One muggy Florida night, the handler was sweating his (fill in the body part) off in the trunk.  Remember, dogs don’t cool by perspiring, they pant.  Anyway, blind and mostly deaf in the non-passenger compartment, the officer-half could hear a deal in progress.  The dog was just panting.

While the pharmaceutical negotiations were taking place, the UC car got made and a crowd gathered.  The handler could hear a commotion outside. Suddenly, a few Continue reading →

Posted in Humor, K9, Misc. | Tagged | Leave a comment

Range Time!

Posted on September 27, 2013 by Randall

imageBlueSheepdog Richard and I went to the range yesterday to match fingers to triggers for some R&R.  I take any time I can to align the sights and press the bang switch. I brought my SCCY CPX-2 and a new Glock G27 Gen 4, which will be my carry gun in detectives.  Richard unpacked a Sig Sauer P290RS, a Bersa BP9CC, and, most intriguing, a Double Tap “two shooter” in .45 ACP/9mm.

The photo above, taken expertly by Richard, is of me touching off the ported DoubleTap in .45ACP.  Ouch.  One round was enough for me, I had to have my hand ready for duty the next night.  Richard, sans a glove, shot this little chupacabra a dozen more times in both .45 and 9mm.  Salute!

IMG_1975 copy

All the other guns functioned well and it was loads of fun until the heavy rains intruded.  Time for lunch at Sonny’s!

Randall

Posted in Firearms, Off Duty | 1 Comment

Miami Gardens K9 Dies in Line of Duty

Posted on September 26, 2013 by Randall

imageMiami Gardens Police K9 Max lost his life following an accident while searching a building on September 12.  K9 Ofc. Chris Bezio was deploying Max through a window on a burglary call when broken glass fell on the dog.  K9 Max was rushed to the Hollywood Animal Hospital, but he died from complications of his injury.

K9 Max was a five year old German Shepherd Dog and had been partnered with Bezio for four years.  Max was a dual purpose K9, trained for patrol and as an explosives detector dog.  A funeral was held yesterday for the fallen dog.  Over a hundred officers and K9 teams were in attendance.

According to the Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP), a total of 15 police service dogs have died in the line of duty in the U.S. thus far in 2013.

Police K9’s perform a unique function that saves lives.  This is a very sad incident.  Handlers and K9’s face danger every shift.  I am honored to have worked with them.

Randall

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So long, Tahoe!

Posted on September 23, 2013 by Randall

No, I’m not getting my Crown Vic back.  I am accepting an assignment in the Detective Bureau, overseeing Burglary/Pawn, Auto Theft, and Economic/Cyber Crimes.  It has been four years since I left DB for another stint on the street.  I will miss the K9 Unit, but this is an opportunity I did not think would come around.

Later in the week, I will hand over the keys and fobs for this 2013 Chevrolet Tahoe Police Pursuit Vehicle (PPV) to another sergeant.  I hope she enjoys it as much as my aging back did.  The upright seating and roominess alleviated the need for NSAIDs for the little while that I had it.

I thought the platform was stable at speed, very maneuverable, and not as truck-like as I would have thought.  The 2 wheel drive PPV got at least one high rate “blue light special” run (you guess the speed) while I was at the helm.  I was impressed.

With the Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor on the endangered soon-to-be-extinct species list, I think this police SUV will help pick up the slack.  With a generally comparable price and mileage, and a higher resale value than a Vic, it is a smart choice.  I think the larger truck is also safer for the officer/deputy.

So, just as the Chevy was winning me over with its talents, I will be relegated to a…Camry.  Dang it.

Randall

Posted in Detectives, Humor, Misc. | Tagged | 5 Comments

Snagmag–A Great Idea for Off Duty Magazine Carry

Posted on September 9, 2013 by Randall

I saw the Snagmag concealed magazine holster on the Internet and I thought, “Perfect!”  I pocket carry a semi-auto handgun while off duty on most days (wheel gun for the rest). Although I have a DeSantis Mag Packer to hold a spare magazine, it situates the mag very low in the pocket and does not allow for other items to reside within.  The clutter will ride atop the mag, making it problematic to extract.

The Snagmag is a simple thermoformed plastic holster that has a pocket clip to keep a spare magazine positioned near the mouth of the pocket.  This makes access to the bullet carrier convenient.  Keys and other detritus can now fall to the bottom of the pocket, out of Continue reading →

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They Stole my Crown Vic!

Posted on September 5, 2013 by Randall

My first Crown Vic K9 Car

Okay, “they” meaning my Administration.  I went to work last night and saw a set of keys and fobs on my desk to a brand new Chevrolet Tahoe.  An email instructed me to vacate the CVPI posthaste.  She had been reassigned.

I had been given my first Crown Victoria in 1990, when I went off to K9 school.  The previous handler had taken great care of the 1988 model and had even installed a cassette player!  I was thrilled, since I had no real love for the anemic Dodge Diplomat that had been my daily cruiser.

I have spent many an hour in Crown Vics over the years and I always felt at home.  The large sedan, V8, rear wheel drive configuration was stable at reasonable speeds.  We pursued suspects regularly back in the day and I had my share Continue reading →

Posted in Humor, Street | 3 Comments

Eleven 10 Gear C.A.T. and SOF-T Tourniquet Holsters

Posted on August 30, 2013 by Randall

I saw one of our Street Crimes Unit guys wearing this Kydex holster on his duty belt.  It caught my eye, as I recognized the C.A.T. tourniquet it held.  I inquired where he had purchased it and he sent me a link to Eleven 10 Gear.  Eleven Ten makes self-aid/buddy-aid med gear designed for the Military, SWAT, and street LEO’s.  The company was founded by two operators, one a Recon Marine and the other a SWAT officer, so they have both arenas covered.  Eleven Ten’s gear is proudly Made in the USA.  Below is their description of the C.A.T. holster.

This small Kydex law enforcement / military tourniquet case can hold a C-A-T® Tourniquet. It can be mounted to your duty/patrol/pistol belt either vertically or horizontally, or you can utilize the MOLLE version and mount it to any MOLLE webbing. The case has a red cross patch to identify it as medical equipment and allows you to carry the life-saving equipment you need on your belt where it belongs. The strength and retention of Kydex allows the tourniquet to be Continue reading →

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Pennsylvania Capitol Police are Adopting the Tavor

Posted on August 27, 2013 by Randall

This is just in from IWI and the Pennsylvania State Capitol Police.

Harrisburg, PA (August, 2013) – IWI US, Inc., a subsidiary of Israel Weapon Industries (IWI), is proud to announce that the Pennsylvania State Capitol Police have chosen to carry the IWI US TAVOR® SAR. The Pennsylvania Capitol Police are a section of the Pennsylvania Department of General Services. They provide law enforcement, security and parking enforcement services to the State Capitol Complex in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and at state government buildings in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Scranton.

“We are honored that the Pennsylvania State Capitol Police have chosen to be outfitted with the TAVOR® SAR,” Michael Kassnar, Vice President of Sales & Marketing at IWI US commented. “The State Capitol Police were looking for an extremely reliable rifle that was built specifically for close quarter battle and the design of the TAVOR® SAR bullpup was a perfect fit for their requirements.”

The TAVOR® SAR, specifically designed for the U.S. market, was developed in close cooperation with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Available in black and Flat Dark Earth, the TAVOR features fully ambidextrous controls with removable 16.5″ or 18″ chrome-lined barrels, a full-length top-mounted integral Picatinny rail and a short 45° rail for mounting accessories. Also available are a left-hand model with a 16.5″ barrel and an IDF model with an integral MEPRO-21 reflex sight. The TAVOR® SAR uses standard AR-15/M16 magazines and is easily field-stripped into sub-assemblies for routine maintenance.

I was able to shoot a Tavor at SHOT Show 2013 (see video here).  I thought it handled very well, indeed.

Randall

Posted in Firearms, Technology | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Back on the Street with the K9’s

Posted on August 24, 2013 by Randall

After a few weeks of getting reacquainted with the K9 Unit’s handlers and dogs, I am back in the swing. Cleaning up a year’s worth of administrative backlog, I un-assed myself from the desk and hit the street. Last night, I ran lights and siren to a foot chase involving one of the shift officers. He had interrupted a mobile check cashing scheme at a cash advance place. The felonious utterer took flight. The officer lost the bad guy in a…wait for it…mobile home park (Welcome to Florida).

The K9 had just deployed and I had a visual, so I exited the CVPI and tagged along. Sometimes a near zero time lapse can be more difficult than a track that has “settled down” for a few minutes. The dog team was still working out the start. The three of us area checked in the MHP east of a stockade fence which separated the park from a neighboring subdivision. Patrol had quickly locked down the area with a tight perimeter, so we were certain the runner was contained within a few blocks.

I have been out on K9 training nights for the last five weeks, trailing the dogs and handlers and also taking my turn as tracklayer. The dogs pay no attention to the added distraction Continue reading →

Posted in K9, Street | Tagged | 4 Comments

Tiny Inconspicuous Handcuff Key

Posted on August 18, 2013 by Randall

Let’s all keep a watch out for this crowdfunded officer safety hazard.  The TIHK, tiny inconspicuous handcuff key, is made for a person to evade being “illegally restrained in handcuffs.”  Here is their disclaimer: 

“The TIHK is to only be used to counter illegal detainment and in accordance with all local, state and federal laws by trained law enforcement, military and security professionals. Improper use by civilians is not endorsed or encouraged. Use of the product is at your own personal risk and discretion.”

It is a felony for a civilian to carry a concealed handcuff key in Florida under FSS 843.021, but my agency has seen an increase in the possession of such hidden keys.  The GIF below illustrates the result of a bad prisoner search (in my opinion).  Thus far, the TIHK effort has raised only $1705.00 toward the maker’s $20,000.00 goal.

Randall

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

Stay Tuned

Posted on July 14, 2013 by Randall

I’ll be absent from new posting for a bit.  I’ve reassumed supervision of our K9 Unit and I have some administrative projects to slay.  I’ll be back in a few…

Randall

Posted in Uncategorized | 6 Comments

Happy Independence Day!

Posted on July 4, 2013 by Randall

I’ll be working it, but I hope you won’t!

Randall

 

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Cabela’s ColorPhase Camouflage Changes Hues

Posted on July 2, 2013 by Randall

Cabela’s ColorPhase camouflage changes from brown to green hues and back depending on the ambient air temperature outside.  In weather under 65°, the brown dominates the specially treated dyes in the fabric.  Above 65°, a green shift takes place.  In the video, you can see that only certain areas of the garment are treated with the rapid-change, temperature-activated dyes.

I am sure this type of camo will be hot topic for the Military and, later, SWAT.  The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has been investigating the color shifting abilities of marine squid for similar purposes.  ColorPhase is a step in that direction.

Randall

Posted in SWAT, Technology | Leave a comment

Combative Edge Knives M1 Fixed Blade

Posted on June 28, 2013 by Randall

I saw this new fixed blade on the Blade Show table at Combative Edge Knives.  Rob Walker told me that is a prototype for their newest knife, tentatively called the M1 Fixed Blade.  This is a hard-use knife made from Bohler-Uddeholm N690Co blade steel, HRC 58-60.  N690Co is a high carbon stainless steel which is reported to have excellent edge holding abilities and superior corrosion resistance.  The N690 will be DLC coated.  G-10 composite scales will be snugged down with titanium hardware.  A kydex sheath will be standard.

Randall

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

How to Destroy a Police Agency

Posted on June 28, 2013 by Randall

If you have not been following the dismal events at the Lakeland, FL Police Department, you should.  The bra-shaking incident, alleged falsification of official documents, a destructive on-going sex scandal, and the loss of confidence by 10th Circuit State Attorney Jerry Hill have made for a public relations train-wreck for this police agency.

Lakeland Police Chief Lisa Womack was even caught admitting that the department sometimes plays “cat and mouse” with the news media over public records requests, a statement which prompted the Lakeland Ledger to delve further into that issue.

Today, it was disclosed that the sex scandal involving 10 officers and a civilian crime analyst had burgeoned to perhaps 20 officers having either sex or improper relations with the female or others.  She is claiming, at the minimum, she was sexually harassed, and at most, she was forced into sexual situations.  No charges have been filed by Hill’s office.

I told my guys at Readoff the other day that this may seem comical to some, but it is certainly not funny to either the citizens of Lakeland, the elected officials, or the policemen who rightly honor their badges of office.

After more than one media drubbing at my copshop, officers have had to deal with the jokes, jeers, and outright hostility from citizens during their normal duty shifts.  Of course, this fades with time, but it can be vexing for those who put on the uniform and try to do the right thing by law, policy, and human decency each day.

There are already cries to disband the Lakeland Police Department and bring in Sheriff Grady Judd and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.  Predictable.  Expect a cleaning of house at LPD and a change in command personnel.  We shall see if they weather the storm.

We must at all costs avoid the behavior that leads to this kind of public spectacle and tarnishing of our shields.  We are entrusted with a responsibility that cannot survive these knowing transgressions.  Soapbox dismount!

Randall

Posted in Media, Misc. | 1 Comment