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 →

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

Schrade SCHF14 Fixed Blade Knife

Posted on June 25, 2013 by Randall

This striking knife from Schrade (Taylor Brands) is their SCHF14.  When I saw it at Blade Show, I joked to the rep that SCHF must stand for, I dunno, “Sh*t Can Hit the Fan?”  His face told me he was not amused.  Yeah, but I was.

One of my first SWAT knives was a Navy Mk3 knife that weighed at lease 14 ounces with its plastic sheath.  It was a beast and guys quickly shed it from their belts for more manageable cutters.  I think the trend toward smaller blades has continued and this Schrade SCHF14 looked like one I would hang from some tactical nylon.

The thing I really liked about this knife is the blackened stonewash of its 8Cr13 blade.  The look reminds me of a working patina on Continue reading →

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Yesterday

Posted on June 22, 2013 by Randall

Yesterday, my shift responded to what was dispatched as an attempted kidnapping.  A small boy was in the restroom of a supermarket when a male grabbed the boy and made a lewd comment.  The boy fled the restroom.  Because no one in the store was immediately notified and police were told about the incident over 30 minutes later, the suspect was long gone.

Yesterday, when I got home at 2300, I heard about the little girl abducted in Jacksonville. We found out this morning that Cherish Lilly Perrywinkle was murdered by sexual offender Donald James Smith.  Heartbreaking.

Yesterday’s events reminded me why I was a protective, paranoid parent when my kids were little.  Evil will take advantage of our innocence and inattention.

Yesterday, two mothers thought they had all the time in the world with their youngsters. One was wrong.

Randall

 

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Surviving to Twenty-Five Part Three

Posted on June 21, 2013 by Randall

I have spent uncounted hours over the decades, consoling and counseling co-workers with marital troubles.  Why did people come to me? Because I am very happily into Year Nine of my third marriage.  Although it’s none of your goddamn business, I have unfortunately suffered through some of the worst divorce drama that any of my three different lawyers said they had yet encountered.  Yay, I win a prize.

The demands of our work place can induce all manner of strife in our wedded relations.  Shift work, Type A attitudes (yes, us), temptations, and general disillusionment with society can drive a wedge between a cop and his or her spouse.  Once, I remember looking at our K9 plaque on the wall–the one with all the dog and handlers names–the divorce rate was horrendous, with 90% of the guys having at least one divorce.  The winner was five.  He said he was a serial monogamist.

Prequel:  End one relationship before beginning another.  Nothing fuels the rocket of drama faster than allegations of cheating.  If you are having marriage problems, see them to a conclusion, then start again.  Okay, on to divorce…

Lesson One:  Protect yourself.  Divorce is a cruel battleground.  Your enemy will give you no quarter.  This is especially true if kids or substantial assets are involved.  Quickly find a good attorney and heed his/her advice.  A good attorney?  I’d recommend my second ex-wife’s.  She clobbered my inept shyster…and me.  A divorce is a complicated legal matter for Continue reading →

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Zero Motorcycles 2013 Electric Police Models

Posted on June 18, 2013 by Randall

Zero Motorcycles of Santa Cruz, CA has introduced police-specific 2013 electric motorcycles for street and on/off road patrol uses.  This follows two years of testing with local California law enforcement agencies and the London, England police.

I don’t know why I think these electric motorcycles are cool, but I do.  I got to train on some of our big Kawasaki KZ1000’s back in the day, but I’m not a rider and I was never able to go to police motorcycle operator’s school.  Something about not having sidecars for the dog.  Still…

Electric cars for policemen are not currently on my wish list.  When a neighboring jurisdiction got Prius’s for their homicide detectives, we snickered and got F/U’s in return.  Sorry, dudes.  The technology and cost are not quite in line with government purchases and patrol needs.

A salesman once brought over a few Segways with which to mess around–pavement versions and another for off pavement forays.  I think a Segway is a blast to drive, but not while wearing the blue uniform for me, thanks.

Some of the benefits of their electric police motorcycle that are touted by Zero:

  • Maintenance-free powertrain
  • Life of motorcycle power pack
  • Top speed of 95 MPH
  • Maximum 132 miles range on a charge
  • Regenerative braking Continue reading →
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An Officer Down

Posted on June 13, 2013 by Randall

Twenty years ago today, I responded to locate a missing police officer in a neighboring town.  He went to a possible prowler call, but was no longer answering his radio.  I knew the young man.  I had backed him up frequently since his agency had only one officer on duty during the Midnight watch.  We shared some arrests, a bit of chewing tobacco, and some laughs in a few short years.

My K9 partner found the missing officer within minutes of our arrival, but he had been shot by the suspect and had already bled to death.  I was in shock.  But I did my job.  I tracked south and cleared the wooded area east of the buildings.  I remember coordinating the search for the suspect with fellow K9 units and air support.  I briefed our tactical team and eventually took our originating agency report.

Who knew from CISM back then.  The police officers from his agency were recalled from off duty in the middle of the night and I told them what had happened to their co-worker.  It was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do.

The suspect was identified and arrested.  Later, I would stare at him when Continue reading →

Posted in Officer Down, Officer Safety | Tagged | 3 Comments

Colonial Knives Tat Cutter–TSA Compliant?

Posted on June 12, 2013 by Randall

At the Blade Show 2013, I had a chance to trade ideas with Steve Paolantonio, the owner of the Colonial Knife Company.  There was a banner at the back of the booth proclaiming:  “Colonial Knives Tat Cutter–TSA Compliant.”  Or words to that effect.  I was curious, since I had just flown in sans sharp objects.

Mr. Paolantonio showed me the little rescue hook.  He said the marketing of the cutter was purely by accident.  Paolantonio said he loves the outdoors and is a rock climber.  To save on weight, he disassembled a Colonial Rescue Hook Auto Tool and hung the steel cutting portion on some ball chain around his neck for clambering about on the vertical faces.

During a sales meeting with a distributor, Paolantonio confessed that the rep was ordering catalog items, when she saw the jewelry on his neck.  She said, “…and I’ll order some of those, too.”  He was puzzled, until he realized she meant the rescue hook he was wearing.  Thus, the Tat Cutter became one of Colonial’s products.

Mr. Paolantonio gave me a Tat Cutter and said to “take it in your carry on when you fly out.”  He stated he had flown with his on a key ring for years and had never had it confiscated at TSA.  You’re on, I said.  (Legal disclaimer:  I am not Continue reading →

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Mission Knives CSP

Posted on June 8, 2013 by Randall

Who better to show prototypes for the Mission Knives CSP (Chance Sanders Professional) than Chance Sanders himself.  Chance is a former DOE SWAT/Marine Corps guy that now specializes in urban and wilderness survival training.  He has joined with Mission knives to produce the CSP.

In designing the knife, Chance said he wanted a strong all around blade for either the city dweller or outdoorsman who wants utility and fighting potential in their knife.  The CSP is made from A2 tool steel that is hardened to 58 on the Rockwell C scale, then black oxide coated.  Contoured G-10 scales are bolted on.  The blade length is 5″.  A MOLLE-compatible Kydex sheath comes with it.  MSRP is $199.00.  The CSP, like all Mission Knives, is Made in the USA.

Of specific concern to Chance, the tip of the knife is differentially ground to produce a steeper edge on the primary bevel for the first 1 1/2″ from the point.  This leaves a lot of steel up front, so that breaking off the tip is nearly impossible, unless you put the CSP in a vise and hit it with a sledge hammer (don’t do that).

Chance has a survival video out on Amazon.com called Surviving Civil Unrest.

Randall

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Ontario Knife Company Wyvern Crash Axe

Posted on June 6, 2013 by Randall

A Wyvern is a two-legged winged mythical beast resembling a dragon.  Wings and claws seem especially appropriate for this U.S.A.F.-inspired tool.

New for 2013 is a military grade axe from the Ontario Knife Company called the Wyvern Crash Axe.  Robb Cass, OKS’s Director of Special Projects, told me that U.S.A.F. Pararescue Jumpers wanted an aircraft breaching and rescue tool for their load-out.  OKC came up with this variation on their SPAX axe that has a couple of tricks up its sleeve.

Okay, we get the curved axe face for cutting.  On the backside of that is a pick for punching holes.  Once an aircraft skin is pierced, the other end of the tool is used like a can opener to scissor through and pry up the aluminum and rivets.

I included the Wyvern in my Blade Show 2013 coverage because, though my Team will likely never tear up an airplane, this axe has possibilities as a rescue tool and as a good general piece of equipment when you are looking for that special tool for the job.  Maybe your Team has responsibilities on the tarmac.  My jurisdiction in airport adjacent.

The Wyvern is made of 5160 carbon spring steel.  It is 18.9″ in overall length and finished in a black epoxy powder coat.  The scales are canvas Micarta.  A nylon sheath is included.  This Made in the USA axe can be found for under $300.00.

Randall

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