They Gave My Cruiser a Trespass Warning!

Posted on March 18, 2012 by Randall

…Updated below…

The other night there was a knock at my front door and I saw a guy in plainclothes wearing a badge.  It was a command officer from the small city in which I live (but do not work).  He apologetically told me I could not park a marked police car in my driveway!

I recently received a new slicktop CVPI that is striped and lettered.  My old cruiser, old as in a 2001 Crown Vic, was an unmarked unit.  The command officer said my new marked car is a “commercial vehicle” and violates the city code banning the parking of commercial vehicles on residential property.  He said they received a citizen complaint.  Seriously?  It’s a POLICE CAR!

He was polite, and I respectfully responded in kind, but I told him my understanding was that police cars are government vehicles and not commercial vehicles by state law.  He said he did not agree.  Meh.  I said I would handle the problem and we parted company with a handshake.

My solution was to do what I do every day.  Research.  I looked up the city ordinance he was referencing.  Yep, commercial vehicle…parking…residential lots…prohibited.  Not a problem.  I consulted my legal advisor, a fellow officer who is Florida Bar certified, to whom I owe a cup of coffee as retainer for each nugget of advice.  He said this Continue reading →

Posted in Humor, Legal, Off Duty, Politics | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

Florida Attorney General’s Efforts Curbing Pill Mills

Posted on March 17, 2012 by Randall

AG Pam Bondi

Florida has been a major player in the prescription drug abuse epidemic in this country, but efforts by Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi have reduced the flow of addictive pain pills onto the streets.

It is no secret that Bondi made pill mills and prescription drug abuse a priority when she made the move to Tallahassee in January of 2011.  Initially, her ideas were met with a cool reception in the governor’s office, but over the last year things have thawed and new enforcement strategies are paying off.

At a press conference Wednesday, Bondi, Governor Rick Scott, Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Gerald Bailey, and Department of Health Interim Surgeon General Dr. Steven Harris announced the positive results achieved by the collaboration of local, state, and federal agencies.

Florida-licensed pain clinics have declined from 854 to 508 since March 2011.  Sadly, in 2010, Florida was the workplace of 98 of the top 100 prescribers of Oxycodone in the nation.  Now that number is just 11.  Nationally, fifty-three of the top 100 Oxycodone purchasing pharmacies were in Florida last year.  Only 19 of those pharmacies are still in operation today.

A year ago, the Governor’s Office created the FDLE-coordinated Statewide Drug Enforcement Strike Force.  Over 2,100 arrests have been made since this time last year, Continue reading →

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Maxpedition Falcon II Backpack–Concealed Carry Review

Posted on March 15, 2012 by Randall

While vacationing, my wife and I regularly take long day hikes.  You may know I am a stalwart supporter of LEO’s carrying a firearm at all times, so the backpack I wear has to have good concealment and easy access for a handgun.  The Maxpedition Falcon II satisfies both attributes and more.

Many backpacks and slingbags have adequate cargo space and useful features, but I went looking for a carry-all that could give me good ingress into a handgun compartment while the pack was worn on my back with both straps shouldered.  In other words, a quick draw without having to doff the bag.

Years ago, I purchased a Maxpedition Condor backpack.  In those days, the Condor did not have a rear hydration/concealed carry pouch.  However, I did like the Condor’s construction and sturdy materials.  Based on this, I started to look at other Maxpedition products.  The Falcon II had a zippered pocket that is accessible from the right rear side–Bingo!  This looked promising.

Somewhere in Big Sur, CA

I received the Falcon II from an online retailer for a little over $100.  I tore open the box and put it on straightaway.  I could grab the right side rear pocket zipper at the base of the right strap and open the pocket.  Without much effort, I could insert my hand into where Continue reading →

Posted in Concealed Carry, Off Duty, Tactical Bags | Tagged , , , , , | 25 Comments

Heckler and Koch’s New HK45 Compact Tactical

Posted on March 13, 2012 by Randall

Heckler and Koch’s Jeff Swisher was kind enough to walk us through the features of their new HK45 Compact Tactical (CT) pistol at Media Day at the Range, SHOT Show 2012.  This new variant of the HK45 series is a recoil operated pistol with a modified Browning locking system.  The action is either DA/SA or their Law Enforcement Modification DAO.

The HK45CT was derived from the HK45 series to give civilians a taste of the Special Operations pistol made for the now-defunct U.S. Military Joint Combat Pistol and Combat Pistol programs from several years ago.

This gun has a threaded barrel, replaceable grip panels, a 10 round extended magazine, ambidextrous slide and mag release, and standard night sights.  It accepts all HK45 magazines.  H&K says their HK45CT’s o-ring system gives better barrel to slide lock-up for Continue reading →

Posted in Firearms, SHOT Show | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Police Qualified Immunity Rejected in Florida K9 Dog Bite Case

Posted on March 12, 2012 by Randall

I wrote an article for BlueSheepdog.com based on a K9 bite case from U. S. Court of Appeals 11th Circuit ruling in Edwards vs. Shanley and Lovette (11-11512) from the Orlando Police Department.

The full article is linked above and gives the details of the call, but the gist of the ruling was that in the facts and circumstances specific to the Orlando incident in 2008, the judgment of the Appeals Court was to reject the qualified immunity defense of the two defendant police officers in this civil lawsuit.

At consideration in the case was the plaintiff’s allegations that the K9 dog bit him for five to seven minutes, which would be an excessive use of force.  The Court of Appeals left that allegation by the suspect to be heard by the U. S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida in future proceedings.

Because of the Appeals Court ruling in Edwards, my department changed its K9 use of force policy to include a documented estimation by the handler of the duration of a K9 dog bite.  This was not done because of any case law decided here.  It was done to preempt any Continue reading →

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Florida Forms Police Crash Task Force—For No Good Reason

Posted on March 10, 2012 by Randall

A State Task Force has been empaneled to study police vehicle crashes.  The Governor’s Office has appointed Florida Highway Patrol Director Col. David Brierton Jr., Sarasota County Sheriff Tom Knight, and Winter Park Police Chief Brett Railey to study law enforcement training, agency policies, and crash data.  I do not see why.

The Orlando Sentinel boasts the State Task Force was formed based upon the newspaper’s series of articles about police crashes and public safety. Sentinel reporters studied crash statistics from 2006 to 2010 and tallied an average of 7,400 police car crashes per year, causing 2,400 injuries, 20 deaths, and $25 million in property damage.

One Sentinel article states, “About 7,400 crashes a year involve cops.  In one out of every four, they’re at least partially to blame, and they seldom are ticketed, the data revealed.  In fact, though average drivers receive citations if they are at fault in crashes more than 64 percent of the time, officers are cited less than 11 percent of the time.”

Let’s look dispassionately at The Orlando Sentinel’s numbers.  For the five-year period, 1.6 million Florida crashes were studied.  Using The Sentinel’s calculations, the overall number of police crashes in those five years comes to 37,000.  That is just 2 percent of crashes statewide.

Further, The Sentinel said that the police are “at least partially to blame” in one out of four law enforcement crashes.  Since that would be only 9,250 of 1.6 million, the number of Continue reading →

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Tactical Combat Casualty Care Training for Police Officers

Posted on March 8, 2012 by Randall

(photo credit: National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians)

Last week, I attended my department’s annual forty-hour In-Service training block.  The final day had instruction to which I had not been exposed in many years of police work:  an introduction to Tactical Combat Casualty Care.

What has always been in the trunk of the cop car?  A first aid kit.  What was it useful for?  Not much really.  Antiseptic, band-aids, and some Ibuprofen are far from helpful in a real live trauma emergency when rounds may be flying.

The concept of TCCC (Tee-Triple-Cee) began with a 1996 paper that was published in Military Medicine.  U.S. Special Operations Command ran with the ideas and methods and slowly began implementing TCCC in its units.  It is now standard training in all branches of the Armed Forces.  The goals of TCCC are 1) treat the casualty, 2) prevent additional casualties, and 3) complete the mission.

Our baby steps into TCCC were taught by two of our fire-rescue department’s paramedics, both of whom happen to be long-standing SWAT medics for our Tactical Team.  Since medical runs are the bread and butter of most fire departments these days, our medics have a tremendous amount of practical experience treating the injured.

The course of instruction was split into five hours of classroom and five hours of scenario-based training.  I appreciated that the medics began with an overall look at diet and health for the officers, touching on such things as stress and heart disease.  There was also a CPR and AED refresher.

TCCC has three stages:  Care Under Fire, Tactical Field Care, and Combat Casualty Evacuation Care.  As a police officer or deputy sheriff on the street, we need to be concerned with Care Under Fire.  The latter two stages will be dealt with when medics Continue reading →

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New Benchmade 176BK SOCP Knife Review

Posted on March 6, 2012 by Randall

U.S. Military Special Operations Forces operators needed a purpose-designed knife for urban close quarters battle, based on their experiences with house-to-house fighting in the Sandbox.  Special Forces Combatives Program (SOCP) developer Greg Thompson made it happen.

Thompson, a trainer of SF soldiers for over 12 years and Director of Training for the XVIII Airborne Corps in Ft. Bragg, NC, collaborated with the Benchmade Knife Company, Inc. to produce what he felt was the solution to an edgy problem.

The Benchmade 176BK SOCP dagger is made for low profile carry, ease of accessibility on a combat load-out, and pure function in CQB.  Sounds like something useful to domestic SWAT operators and street officers, as well.

Unique to this double-edged, skeletonized dagger is the “finger loop” or ring at the end of the handle.  It allows for a quick draw of the knife, but gives it low visibility, as the ring is the only part of the handle to protrude from the thin injection molded sheath.

With an overall knife length of 7.25”, the bladed portion takes up 3.22” of the 440C steel. Of this, only about 1.37” of the blade is actually sharpened.  That is not a concern because Continue reading →

Posted in Knives, Officer Safety, Street, SWAT | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Brevard County Sheriff’s Deputy Shot to Death

Posted on March 6, 2012 by Randall

Deputy Barbara Pill, photo courtesy BCSO

Brevard County Sheriff’s Deputy Barbara Pill was shot and killed in the line of duty on March 6, 2012.  According to Brevard Sheriff Jack Parker, Pill stopped two theft suspects on a traffic stop in Melbourne.  She ordered them out of their vehicle, but they did not comply.  She had requested back-up and was making a radio transmission, when she was fatally shot.

Suspects Brandon Lee Bradley and Andria Michelle Kerchner fled in their SUV, but were captured several miles from the shooting.

Deputy Pill had previously worked for the Miami-Dade Police Department.  She was 52 years old and a grandmother.  Pill had over 30 years of law enforcement experience, including 10 years as a deputy sheriff in Brevard County.  She has a son who is a Melbourne Village police officer and a son who is a Brevard County sheriff’s deputy.

Brandon Bradley

Bradley had four warrants for his arrest and a criminal history that included aggravated assault, kidnapping, and narcotics violations.  Kerchner also had previous criminal charges and a warrant for her arrest

The Econo-Lodge manager at 4455 West New Haven Ave in Melbourne called 911 to report that guests in one of his rooms were stealing furniture.  He said they were leaving in a white Ford Explorer.

Deputy Pill initiated a traffic stop on the suspect vehicle at John Rodes Blvd and Silver Heron Drive.  Pill was shot at that location.  Bradley and Kerchner left that shooting scene in the white Explorer, but it was later spotted in the area of the 4000 Block of Carolwood Drive.  Multiple law enforcement agencies converged on the area.

It was reported that police used spike strips and the SUV rolled into a ditch on Turtle Mound Road and Parkway Drive.  Tear gas was introduced into the vehicle and deputies and officers approached with shields and long guns.  The pair surrendered and were taken into custody.

Bradley was charged with first degree murder, felon in possession of a firearm, armed robbery, and FTA warrants for felon in possession of a firearm, sales and possession of cocaine, carrying a concealed firearm, and resisting arrest.  He also has multiple felony probation violations.  Kerchner was charged with first degree murder, armed robbery, and a warrant for sales of a controlled substance.

Funeral services for Brevard County Deputy Barbara Pill will take place Tuesday March 13, 2012 at 10 a.m. at the Calvary Chapel, located at 2955 Minton Road in West Melbourne, FL.

Randall

Posted in Officer Down | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Proposed Indiana Castle Doctrine Allows for Killing Police Officers

Posted on March 4, 2012 by Randall

Updated 3/23/2012:  It was signed into law by Gov. Daniels.

Updated 3/9/2012:  SB 1 was passed by the Senate and the House and will be sent to Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels.  See the end of the article for further.

If you have not been following the legal machinations in the State of Indiana over Castle Doctrine, you need to read the appalling proposed “legislation” that is Indiana Senate Bill 1 (SB 1) 2012.  This bill passed the Indiana House 74-24 in a vote last week and was returned to the Indiana Senate with amendments.

Sections (h)(i),(j), SB-1 from the Indiana General Assembly:

(h) A person is justified in using reasonable force against any law enforcement officer if the person reasonably believes the force is necessary to:
(1) protect the person or a third person from what the person reasonably believes to be the imminent use of unlawful force;
(2) prevent or terminate the law enforcement officer’s unlawful entry of or attack on the person’s dwelling, curtilage, or occupied motor vehicle; or
(3) prevent or terminate the law enforcement officer’s unlawful trespass on or criminal interference with property lawfully in the person’s possession, lawfully in possession of a member of the person’s immediate family, or belonging to a person whose property the person has authority to protect. Continue reading →

Posted in Legal, Officer Safety | Tagged , , , , | 17 Comments

Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Police Training

Posted on March 2, 2012 by Randall

We sometimes focus too much on technology and equipment in the law enforcement profession.  Real officer safety starts in the brain.

In the wake of a critical incident earlier last year, my department decided to send a group of officers to Crisis Intervention Team training.  In a nutshell, the forty-hour CIT training block provides a unique insight into mental illness and how law enforcement can more effectively deal with those in crisis.

After taking the CIT course, I can attest to its resolute commitment to officer safety.  From the outset, the instructors stressed that officer safety is of primary importance in dealing with mentally ill persons, and this course was not designed to in any way to alter their currently accepted street survival practices.  This I liked.

A caveat to CIT is that you get out what you put in.  This type of training is intended for those who volunteer for the program.  Volunteer.  If you are mandated to take this course Continue reading →

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Hazard4 Launch-Pad Carrier for IPad Review

Posted on March 1, 2012 by Randall

I think it may appear that I have a nylon fetish.  No, not that one.  I’m talking about ballistic nylon, found in gear bags, backpacks, equipment pouches, accessory holders, and gun holsters.  Last year, I cracked open my black nylon tri-fold badge wallet and bought an IPad2, which now needed something nylon-y to put it in.

I have so many black nylon pouches in my black nylon gear bag that I can’t find anything in the dark.  Thusly I thought I should get an IPad carrier of a different color.  I picked out a coyote tan Launch-Pad case from Hazard4.

Hazard4 is an offspring of Civilian Lab, LLC, that designs outdoor adventure, extreme sport, and travel gear.  Hazard4 stands for surviving the top disaster threat level, standard hazard classification four, be it natural or man-made.

The Launch-Pad is a nylon slip carrier that fits an IPad or IPad2, even one in a thin case.  Ruggedly sewn, the flapped pouch has two large hook and loop pads and a removable Continue reading →

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Update to LAPD Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 380 Review

Posted on February 27, 2012 by Randall

Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 380I wrote a review for BlueSheepdog.com of the new LAPD-approved Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 380 pistol in September of last year.  I thought I would give you an update as to my continuing experience with the gun.

This being Florida, I would say that firearm choices for concealed carry are sometimes dictated by the hot weather clothing.  For many of us, it is difficult to conceal even a medium-sized pistol or revolver when the temperatures soar into the high 90’s with the oppressive humidity.  Shorts and a t-shirt only help with the heat a little.

The Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 380, which was officially approved for on duty back-up and off-duty carry by the Los Angeles Police Department, has been a good concealed carry weapon for me here in the “Tropical” South.

Though its length, height, thickness, and weight are slightly greater than my Kel-Tec P3AT, the added features of the Bodyguard 380 make it worth toting the smidgen in increased size.  The hammer-fired second strike capability, adjustable sights, loaded chamber indicator, slide stop lever, and slide lock after-the-last-round all contribute to the Bodyguard 380’s defensive usefulness.

Continue reading →

Posted in Concealed Carry, Firearms, Off Duty | Tagged , , , , , | 106 Comments

Miami SWAT Officer Cleared in Shooting; State Attorney Questions Policy

Posted on February 24, 2012 by Randall

It was New Year’s Eve 2011 and Ofc. Maurice Sodre was part of a mobile nine-man Miami Police Department SWAT team detailed to assist MPD road units with shots fired calls or other emergencies based upon the holiday.

At approximately 0145 hrs on 1/1/2011, the detail, driving in two black unmarked Ford Excursion SUV’s, responded to the area of 1st Place and 15 Street in Overtown for a report of shots fired.  As they approached the area, the officers saw four males at the intersection, one of whom began to walk, and then run, northbound.

The male, Lynn Weatherspoon, was ordered to stop by several of the responding SWAT members.  One of the officers saw Weatherspoon fumbling at his waistband, one saw him drop something and try to retrieve it, and another officer saw Weatherspoon drop a handgun on the ground and attempt to pick it up.  This was despite several officers telling him to stop and announcing, “Police!” multiple times.

Fearing for his safety and that of his partners, Ofc. Sodre fired nine rounds from his Rock Continue reading →

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Supreme Court: Miranda Not Required for Prisoners

Posted on February 22, 2012 by Randall

On 2/21/2012, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled in the case of Howes, Warden vs. Fields, No. 10-680.  This case addresses the issue of police questioning of a prisoner without giving Miranda Warnings.  The High Court held that Miranda protections do not apply to prisoners, as long as certain circumstances are present.

What is interesting about the majority opinion, written by Justice Samuel J. Alito, and joined by Justices Roberts, Scalia, Kennedy, Thomas, and Kagans, is the reasoning the Court used in overturning the U.S. Court of Appeals Sixth Circuit assertion that the interview of prisoner Randall Fields by sheriff’s deputies was a custodial interrogation.

Although it is lengthy, instead of paraphrasing the ruling, I thought I would print three of what I think are the key passages in the syllabus of the Supreme Court’s decision:

“The initial step in determining whether a person is in Miranda custody is to ascertain, given ‘all of the circumstances surrounding the interrogation,’ how a suspect would have gauged his freedom of movement.  Stansbury v. California, 511 U. S. 318, 322, 325.  However, not all restraints on freedom of movement amount to Miranda custody. See, e.g., Berkemer v. Continue reading →

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