Author Archives: Randall

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 … 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

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, … Continue reading →

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 … 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 … Continue reading →

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

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 … Continue reading →

Posted in Misc., Tactical Bags | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Update to LAPD Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 380 Review

Posted on February 27, 2012 by Randall

I 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 … 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.  … Continue reading →

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

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 … Continue reading →

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Ofc. David Crawford Murdered A Year Ago Today

Posted on February 21, 2012 by Randall

One year ago today, St. Petersburg Police Ofc. David S. Crawford was murdered in the line of duty by Nicholas Lindsey.  St. Petersburg Police was still reeling from the murders of Sgt. Tom Baitinger and K9 Ofc. Jeffrey Yaslowitz, less than a month earlier. To say our local law enforcement community was crushed would be a severe understatement.  Many of the officers and deputies involved in the manhunt for Lindsey were also involved in the response and investigation of the previous officers’ killings. My department had a large class of rookies in field training.  I guess it didn’t hurt for the sober realities of this profession to hit them early.  … Continue reading →

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What Do You Carry In Your SWAT Gear?

Posted on February 20, 2012 by Randall

I was rummaging through my very old SWAT ballistic vest the other day in the garage.  Some odds and ends in the main MOLLE pouch included: A Gerber Multi-Plier, Benchmade A.F.O. autofolder, two AR-15 mags, two Sig .40 cal. mags, flex cuffs, Streamlight Stinger, two spare TASER cartridges, ballistic glasses, ear protection, Nomex gloves, Nomex balaclava, latex gloves, window punch/seat belt cutter, lensatic compass, AA Mini-Maglite with red lens, notepad and pen, about 50′ of black paracord, spare flashbang pin, chalk, and a black Sharpie marker. Most of this gear, or older stuff just like it, had been my standard load-out for over twenty years of tactical operations.  Though I … Continue reading →

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Clay County Deputy is First Florida Officer Killed in 2012

Posted on February 18, 2012 by Randall

Clay County Sheriff’s Detective David White was shot and killed Thursday during the investigation of a methamphetamine lab at a residence in Middleburg, FL.  Detective Matt Hanlin was wounded by gunfire in the same raid.  He is in serious but stable condition. Detectives went to the single family dwelling in the 4800 Block of Alligator Boulevard on a tip of a meth lab.  The house was vacant, had a power cord running to it from a neighboring house, and was believed to be occupied by squatters.  The homeowner, Terrance Smith, gave deputies permission to go and enter the house. Nine deputies arrived at the house.  White and Hanlin were at … Continue reading →

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New SRM Arms Model 1216 Shotgun Shipping

Posted on February 17, 2012 by Randall

The new SRM Arms model 1216 12 gauge shotgun is shipping.  GSA Direct’s Sam Hoge sent me this video of the SRM in action.  The SRM 1216 is a totally new design with features not found on any other scattergun. I was able to handle a 1216 on the SHOT Show floor last month.  The toggle for rotating the magazine is large and easy to use.  This shows in the video, as you can see how fast the “drum” is turned to access each successive tube of ammo.  It would warm my heart to have all these shotshells on tap in a critical incident. According to SRM Arms, the 1216 … Continue reading →

Posted in Firearms, SHOT Show | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Review of the New Kahr Arms CM40

Posted on February 14, 2012 by Randall

I had the pleasure to shoot the new Kahr Arms CM40 at SHOT Show 2012 Media Day at the Range.  The CM40 is the .40 cal. version of Kahr’s sub-compact polymer framed pistol.  At an MSRP of $517.00, the CM40’s price point is over $250.00 less than a comparable Kahr PM40.  I think the new gun is a winner for powerful concealed carry. Kahr’s new CM series differs from the PM series in that the barrel on the CM has conventional rifling and not the match grade polygonal rifled barrel of a PM.  In addition, to save on cost the CM series has simple engraving on the slide, a pinned … Continue reading →

Posted in Concealed Carry, Firearms, Off Duty, SHOT Show | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

Police Profiling for Officer Safety

Posted on February 13, 2012 by Randall

I was driving to work last night in my personal car.  My route takes me through a relatively rundown section of the city where I work.  I always tend to scan around as I drive, which sometimes prompts my wife to say, “Stop patrolling!” On this night, I saw some people walking around and from the anonymity of my own car, I thought about the nature of my observations as a citizen verses those of a law enforcement officer.  A red light stopped me at a cross street. A young black male was walking up to the intersection.  I gave him the once over:  baggy black basketball shorts, loose black … Continue reading →

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Wife of Murdered Tampa Cop Faces Killer

Posted on February 11, 2012 by Randall

Yesterday in sentencing phase of the murder trial of Tampa, Florida Police Corporal Mike Roberts, his wife delivered a statement to the Court, which was directed squarely at his killer, Humberto Delgado, Jr.  The following is the transcript of Cindy Roberts’ words to the man who murdered her husband: “Your honor, I would like to thank you for this opportunity to address the court. During my victim’s impact testimony the defense team was able to censor my statement and I did not feel that that followed the spirit of what the victim’s impact statement was supposed to provide. “But mostly, I want to speak to you [addressing Delgado]. You, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments