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Author Archives: Randall
ThinBlueHousekeeping
Hi, folks, Randall here. I’m sorry that I have not been around as much as usual. My real job became much busier with a lieutenant’s assessment (I didn’t get it), an Internal Affairs sergeant assessment (I didn’t get it), some assorted projects in Property and Economic Crimes, and prepping for my department’s CALEA on-site for Gold Standard accreditation (whew). We have been working with other county police agencies to update our secondhand dealers to the new state law changes for their businesses. Dealers will now be required to photograph property in the transactions; increase the holding period for precious metals or gems, jewelry, antiques, artworks, or goods purchased through an … Continue reading
Posted in Misc.
2 Comments
Hillsborough Deputy Killed by Wrong Way Driver
Hillsborough Sheriff’s Deputy John Robert Kotfila, Jr. lost his life overnight when his marked cruiser was struck head-on by a vehicle driven west in the eastbound lanes of the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway early this morning. Dep. Kotfila is the first Florida law enforcement officer to be killed in the line of duty in 2016. The errant driver also died as a result of the crash. Sadly, Dep. Kotfila was just 30 years old. He had been on the job at HCSO for six years. Funeral arrangements will be announced by the agency. Randall
Posted in Officer Down
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Tampa Police Releases Body Cam Videos
The Tampa Police Department produced this short video of incidents from their recent body camera pilot program. The video shows a bit of what we experience out on the street. Thank you, TPD. Randall
Florida Open Carry Bill is Dead
Florida Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Miguel Diaz de la Portilla killed the open firearms carry bill (SB 200), along with the college campus carry and airport terminal carry bills. The Miami Republican blocked all three bills from being heard in committee, effectively euthanizing them for this legislative session. Diaz de la Portilla expressed concerns about public safety and unintended consequences of the open carry bill. He is taking much heat from Second Amendment supporters and much praise from the pro-gun control faction. In a previous article, I stated, “I support the citizens of Florida
Posted in Concealed Carry, Firearms
5 Comments
Five Police Officers Shot to Death in Four Days
A Riverdale, Ga. police officer was shot and killed this morning around 11:15 a.m. He is the fifth officer to be slain by gunfire since Monday. Although the total number of LEO’s killed thus far in 2016 is down, this week’s deaths mark an increase of 600% over firearms-related deaths from the same period last year. On Monday, Deputy David Greer of the Mesa County, Colo. Sheriff’s Office stopped out with an armed juvenile, who shot Greer to death before back-up officers could arrive. Deputy Greer is survived by a wife and two children. Yesterday, Harford County, Md. Deputies Mark Logsdon and Patrick Dailey responded to a wanted subject at … Continue reading
Posted in Officer Down
1 Comment
Riggs Shield for Mobile Police Protection
This week, one of my detectives, who has a relative in law enforcement product sales, brought a ballistic shield to work that was specifically designed for vehicle ambush protection by California Sheriff’s Deputy Robert Riggs. It is called the Riggs Shield and was conceived after one of Riggs’ partners was attacked in his cruiser. The Riggs Shield mounts on the inside of the driver’s door of a police car and is quickly and easily removed in the event the officer is attacked while seated. By grabbing the handle and pushing the shield forward and up, it pulls away for immediate use. Rated at NIJ Ballistics Level IIIa and Stab Level … Continue reading
Posted in Florida Companies, Protective Armor, Street, Technology
2 Comments
Police Speeder
Once, I fielded a call from an angry motorist following one of our officers who was speeding home. Immediately, I called the cop and told him to knock it off and see me in my office (small cubicle) the next day. At readoff, I told the troops to think of themselves as Wonder Woman in her invisible jet when in your cruiser–everyone sees everything you do! Some of them got the reference. This is a viral video of a “citizen” traffic stop of a speeding Miami-Dade police officer on his way to work. Come on, guys. We can do better than this. Randall
Posted in Street
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Police K9 Dog Deaths Already High in 2016
Update: Omaha K9 killed 1/25/2016. The year 2016 is not starting out well for police K9 dogs in the U.S. Since the beginning of January, three four K9’s have already been killed by hostile gunfire. In all of 2015, a total of four working dogs died by gunfire, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page. Of the 26 K9’s killed in 2015, one was poisoned and one was stabbed, in addition to the others who died from shootings or accidental causes. The average number of police dogs shot to death during the last decade was 3.2 annually. Sometimes we take for granted the indispensable role these trained animals play in law … Continue reading
First Tactical’s Diamondback Folding Knife
First Tactical™ makes products for Law Enforcement and Fire Rescue. Their products are conceived in concert with professionals who work in these fields. The Diamondback Tanto folding knife is designed and tested by end users to make it functional. A 3.43 inch AUS8 blade comes in a modified tanto or spearpoint shape. Unique to the Diamondback Tanto is their Thumb Bridge over the blade opening hole. It adds a lot of real estate for the thumb to open the knife. It also provides a large shelf upon which the thumb can place pressure to cut materials that are hesitant to yield to the edge. The G10 handle scales are shaped … Continue reading
Gainesville Officer Shoots…Hoops
Well, they did lower the rim for the dunk. Randall
Posted in Humor, Misc.
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Improved Beretta PX4 Compact Carry
Beretta has a makeover for the PX4 Storm Compact. Competitive shooter and Marine Earnest Langdon worked up some fixes for the platform that increase the gun’s ergonomics and shootability. Is that a word? The result is the PX4 Compact Carry. Langdon started with lower profile safety and slide release levers. Next came a larger magazine release button and refined trigger pull. Rounding out the tactile refinements is the Talon wrap textured grips that increase traction in the hand. Other upgrades include tritium night sights and a gray Cerakoted slide. This is more a factory custom mod than an actual new gun, so expect it to price higher than a Beretta … Continue reading
New Kimber K6s Revolver
Now we are talkin’! Kimber is set to release a brand new DAO revolver to the market in March of this year. The Kimber K6s is a six-shot, stainless steel .357 Magnum wheelgun with a 2 inch barrel and internal hammer. This one is aimed center-of-mass at the concealed carry crowd. The Kimber K6s has material milled from the revolver’s cylinder, resulting in an interesting series of alternating flats and curves. Like a Ruger LCR, the cylinder release is a push button affair. K6s’ action rotates counter-clockwise, like S&W, but unlike Colt. With pinned front and dovetailed rear sights, I am certain the aftermarket will already be tooling up for … Continue reading
Posted in Concealed Carry, Firearms
Tagged concealed carry gun, Police Back-Up Gun, police revolver
5 Comments
New Glock MOS Pistols
Today, Glock introduced two new MOS (Modular Optics System) pistols at the SHOT Show. Here is their press release: Las Vegas, Nev. – Jan. 18, 2016 Today, GLOCK, Inc., announced the release of two new pistols to join the Modular Optic System (MOS) series, the G17 Gen4 in MOS and the G19 Gen4 in MOS. Now, two of GLOCK’s best selling pistols are available with milled slides designed specifically to be adaptable to multiple optic systems without costly customization. The G17 Gen4 MOS and G19 Gen4 MOS are the ideal addition to the series as the market continues to trend toward optic-ready everyday carry and defense.
Maxpedition Advanced Gear Research for 2016
It would appear that Maxpedition is ascending to the next level of carryalls with their Advanced Gear Research products for 2016. There are six new bags and six accompanying pouches from the company. The imbedded link has the press release info, detailed photos, and product features. Los Angeles, CA, January 11, 2016 – Maxpedition corporation debuts the Advanced Gear Research (AGR) line with 12 new styles at SHOT Show 2016, providing a glimpse into the future of the Maxpedition brand and its products. While the Maxpedition brand DNA of uncompromising durability is preserved, modernized aesthetics and a broadened palette of custom materials and components, elevate Maxpedition equipment to a new … Continue reading
New FLIR Scout TK Thermal Imager
FLIR Systems, Inc. introduced their latest handheld thermal imaging monocular at this month’s Consumer Electronics Show 2016. The FLIR Scout TK entry-level device is the company’s smallest and least expensive model yet. At an MSRP of $599.00, the Scout TK is more than a thousand bucks less than their Scout II model, which sells at about $1,900. The new Scout TK measures just 4″ x 1.5″ x 1.5″ and weighs only 6 ounces, so it really is pocket-sized. I got to play with their older PS24 monocular back in 2012 at SHOT. It was like a handful of science fiction! Even in the lit show area, looking at the heat … Continue reading