Police GPS Tracking Requires Search Warrant

Posted on January 25, 2012 by Randall

Q-Locator’s GPS Tracker

On 1/23/2012, the U. S. Supreme Court ruled in the 2005 case of the United States vs. Antoine Jones (10-1259).  The High Court held that the attachment of a Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking device to an individual’s vehicle, and the subsequent use of that device to monitor the movements of the vehicle on public streets, constitutes a search under the Fourth Amendment and requires a search warrant.

Yawn.  Many police agencies already obtain a search warrant before using a GPS to track a suspect’s vehicle.  While paranoid liberals out there cheer the “landmark” decision, it is fair to note a few under-reported things about U.S. vs. Jones. Continue reading →

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SHOT Show 2012 Media Day at the Range

Posted on January 21, 2012 by Randall

Last Monday was Range Day for the Media.

Boulder City, NV Rifle and Pistol Club

Shooting a new H&K .45 Compact Tactical

New Kahr CM40

New Sig Sauer P224 Extreme

Over 2500 media personnel attended the SHOT Show this year.  We were driven by bus out into the Nevada desert for a day of shooting the latest products from a wide range of manufacturers.  I was lucky to travel with the crews of BlueSheepdog.com and GunsHolstersandGear.com.  Check out those sites for more in-depth coverage!

I’ll post more photos as the week goes on…

Randall

Posted in Firearms, SHOT Show | Tagged | 1 Comment

SHOT Show 2012 Coverage

Posted on January 20, 2012 by Randall

I’ve been in Las Vegas at the 2012 SHOT Show for the last week. I saw the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. Black lever-action rifle with picatinny tri-rail, scope, and adjustable stock? Ouch.  It’s like Ralphie’s Red Ryder BB Gun done tactical.  More to come…

Randall

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A Rookie Cop on Midnight Shift

Posted on January 16, 2012 by Randall

Adam-12 Rookie Jim Reed, NBC

Our squad has quite a few officers with less than a year of experience.  Welcome to Midnight Shift.

At ReadOff, the other Sergeant and I looked out at a room full of rookies.  At our recent shift change, we inherited a bunch of FNG’s. Nice.

They are sharp and eager, but not yet skilled.  For one rookie, it was his very first Midnight Tour.

Less than one half hour into his shift, the rookie called out that he was in a foot pursuit!  Upon arriving at a domestic disturbance, he saw the male-half walking away down the street.  The rookie beckoned the man to “Stop Police!”  The suspect ran and the rookie gave chase. Continue reading →

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Video Recording the Police Can Be Illegal

Posted on January 13, 2012 by Randall

A citizen with a cellular phone was arrested for obstructing justice when he recorded the activities of Tampa, FL police officers investigating a disturbance call on May 1, 2011.  Two officers were in a public parking lot in Ybor City checking on a reported fight at 2:30 am.

Jeffrey Dylan Patch began video recording the officers with a cell phone camera. In the blurry video shot by Patch, he was told by an officer, “Sir, please step back.”  Patch is asked three times to move back.  Though Patch appears to comply, he is warned by an officer that, “You’re interfering with our investigation right now.”

Patch is heard replying, “I am not interfering with your investigation.  Sir, I am recording, that is all.”  Patch is again told to move back, but in a loud voice directed at the officers he states, “I am just letting you know, I’m just letting you know, I am recording this conversation!” Continue reading →

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U. S. Supreme Court to Rule on Florida K9 Drug Sniff

Posted on January 11, 2012 by Randall

The Unites States Supreme Court will make a ruling this year in the case of a K9 sniff conducted outside a private residence in 2008.  The alert by Miami-Dade narcotics detector K9 Franky resulted in a search warrant for the residence and ultimately a drug seizure and arrest.

At odds in Joelis Jardines vs. State of Florida (SC08-2101) is whether the sniff of the exterior of the home violated the suspect’s Fourth Amendment rights to search and seizure.  Jardines was arrested after the search warrant service yielded 179 marijuana plants in his home. Continue reading →

Posted in K9, Legal | 2 Comments

SHOT Show in One Week

Posted on January 8, 2012 by Randall

I’m psyched that this time next week I’ll be on a plane to SHOT Show in Las Vegas!  I’ll be traveling with the crews from BlueSheepdog.com and GunsHolstersandGear.com.  The annual Shooting, Hunting, and Oudoor Trade Show is quite the media circus, but the products, manufacturers, and vendors are something to see.  The 2011 Show was amazing and I met some cool people like Michael Bane, John Bianchi, Tom Knapp, Sheriff Jim Wilson, and Mike Janich. I hope this year is just as good.  I got to hang out with Gunny at Media Day in Boulder City last year!

Posted in SHOT Show | Tagged | 1 Comment

New Year’s Resolutions for a Cop

Posted on January 4, 2012 by Randall

DSCN0227 copy 1Coming off my weekend, I thought of a few things that I resolve to do in 2012 for survival, professional development, and peace of mind:

  • Spend more time with family for relaxation.
  • Maintain fitness and a good (decent) diet.
  • Get to the Range more (though I went two days ago).
  • Be prepared each shift for a violent encounter.
  • Make sure all weapons and duty equipment are in good order.
  • Have patience with my co-workers.
  • Remember that we are always in the public eye (and cameras).
  • Be a good role model to the younger officers.
  • Strive for quality work in all areas.
  • Do not become obsessed with politics and rumors at work.
  • Be a positive influence, not that miserable guy.
  • No more playing with gators.

Happy New Year!

Randall

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Under Construction!

Posted on December 28, 2011 by Randall

image

 

We are trying to get this thing off the ground.  Stay tuned!

Randall

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