Category Archives: Officer Safety

New Kel-Tec CL-43 Flashlight

Posted on November 21, 2012 by Randall

This is an image of the new Kel-Tec CL-43 flashlight that is a handheld aluminum-bodied, LED offering from the Cocoa, Florida gunmaker. The CL-43 boasts 420 lumens from a Cree XP-G LED emitter, running off three CR123 batteries. A rearward clicking button at the midpoint of the light switches the light-emitting diode on and off. I was aghast when I saw this photo. Kel-Tec says, “The switch is operated like the trigger of a gun…” Sympathetic reflex activity in the dominant hand could easily lead to a negligent discharge in this grip. I see what they are trying to accomplish from an ergonomic standpoint, but under stress I believe this … Continue reading →

Posted in Firearms, Flashlights, Florida Companies, Officer Safety | Tagged | Leave a comment

Lakewood, CO Blue-on-Blue is a Safety Reminder

Posted on November 10, 2012 by Randall

I read a CNN news report of a Blue-on-Blue shooting in Lakewood, CO yesterday where one officer accidentally killed another.  Lakewood officers had surrounded a house where shots were reportedly fired by a suspect.  After assisting in detaining three subjects on the front porch, Ofc. James Davies went to the backyard as a rear cover.  Another officer in an adjoining yard could see Davies through a fence, but in the dark did not visually identify him as a police officer.   After giving Davies commands to drop his gun, the other officer fired and killed Davies. Ofc. Davies was in full uniform at the time of the shooting and apparently did … Continue reading →

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Police Field Training and Natural Selection

Posted on November 5, 2012 by Randall

I am no longer an active Field Training Officer, but I am now in charge of them on my shift.  As an FTO supervisor, I had the duty this week of accepting the resignation of one of our recruit officers.  It’s part of our natural selection. For the last twenty-plus years, I have been involved in this drill in one capacity or another.  We hire a nice kid, see him/her through the Academy, mold them further during department familiarization, then introduce them to the real job in a field training car.  Percentages vary class by class, but generally anywhere from 10-50% of our recruits do not make it to being … Continue reading →

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KA-BAR TDI Knife Review: Unsafe for Duty

Posted on September 13, 2012 by Randall

When I arrived at work yesterday, there was some buzz about a training incident between an FTO and a recruit that had occurred earlier in the day.  It seems that it was our new recruits’ first day in the blue uniform.  Some of them were assigned to Daywatch.  After roll call, they were examined by their training officers. One of the FTO’s noticed a strange handle sticking out of the front of the recruit’s gun belt.  Yes, it was a KA-BAR TDI knife, ostensibly designed for an officer’s last ditch self defense. The FTO had never actually handled a TDI, but he had heard of them.  To demonstrate the vulnerability … Continue reading →

Posted in Knives, Officer Safety | Tagged , , , | 33 Comments

NYPD Officers Forced Into Difficult Shooting Scenario

Posted on August 26, 2012 by Randall

My headline was not the one I read on a mainstream media news website.  It said something like, “NYPD Shoots Nine Bystanders Before Killing Suspect.”  Considering  that in a crowd of people, the two officers shot sixteen bullets and hit a gun-wielding homicide suspect nine times at center of mass, I’d say my headline is closer to reality. The suspect, Jeffrey Johnson, is seen at the top center of the video walking toward the left and carrying a briefcase.  Officers Craig Matthews and Robert Sinishtaj enter from the top right.  Johnson was walking from the scene where he had just shot a co-worker five times in the head with a … Continue reading →

Posted in Media, Officer Safety, Street | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Open Firearms Carry Wastes Officers’ Time

Posted on August 24, 2012 by Randall

I saw this on another blog and it reminded me that there are conservative factions attempting to legalize open carry in Florida. In the densely populated, urban county in which I live, I fear that dwindling police services will have resources drained by these types of calls for service from alarmed citizens. This video is an example of two guys just trying to waste the officers’ time with obstructive discourse. Nice job by the officer. Yeah, we don’t always articulate things perfectly. Just the same, he is courteous and professional in the face of the amateur armed “confrontationalists.” The officer’s function check of what he discovered to be a .22 … Continue reading →

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Benchmade Knives 175 Adamas CBK Push Dagger Review

Posted on August 8, 2012 by Randall

Push daggers speak to me of power.  No pretty pass cuts or fancy foil grips, just gritty jabs and slashing blows thrown in a clench.  Boxing with a blade. Benchmade Knife Company’s 175 Adamas CBK Push Dagger was made with input from customers of the law enforcement sort.  This is a purely defensive knife.  CBK stands for concealed backup knife.  And there you have it:  all business. With full tang construction of 440C stainless steel and a chisel ground blade, this knife was purpose-built for toughness.  The 2.5” blade is double-edged, spear point in shape, and given a Rockwell Hardness of 58-60.  Blade and handle are subdued with Benchmade’s BK1 … Continue reading →

Posted in Concealed Carry, Knives, Officer Safety | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Police K9’s, Pursuits, and Multitasking

Posted on July 30, 2012 by Randall

A shootout in Fortville, Indiana two days ago had me thinking about the additional multitasking a K9 handler must go through in a vehicle pursuit.  The “routine traffic stop” had devolved into a car chase during which the suspect, James Lockhart III, abruptly brought his vehicle to a stop, exited, and quickly fired on Fortville Police K9 Ofc. Matt Fox. Bullets tore through the windshield of Ofc. Fox’s marked Dodge Charger, striking the officer in the left forearm, left hand, and forehead.  Ofc. Fox’s ballistic vest stopped a round to his chest.  He was shot before he could get out of his patrol car. I have vivid recollections of many … Continue reading →

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Rob Pincus on the Evolution of the OODA Loop

Posted on July 8, 2012 by Randall

I.C.E. Training Company owner and Combat Focus Shooting developer Rob Pincus has a unique spin on U.S.A.F. Col. John R. Boyd’s OODA Loop from an instructor’s perspective.  Pincus’ article is over here on the I.C.E. Training Updates: Evolution of the OODA Loop I won’t attempt to paraphrase what Mr. Pincus derives from the decision-making cycle conceptualized by Col. Boyd; it speaks for itself.  I found the article thought provoking and a good read. Randall

Posted in Defensive Tactics, Officer Safety | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

When the Police Need to Break Glass…

Posted on June 20, 2012 by Randall

You need to have the right information and tools if you are going to break a glass window or door to make an exigent entry into a structure or to rescue a trapped motorist.  There are three types of glass you will encounter:  tempered glass, non-tempered glass, and laminated glass. Tempered glass is special heat-treated form of glass.  Tempered glass is used where there is a likelihood of human contact and as such is made to shatter into small ¼” pieces when broken.  The small pieces are not very sharp and are relatively safe to handle. Non-tempered glass is a different animal.  When broken, non-tempered glass makes large, irregular, jagged … Continue reading →

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St. Petersburg Police Field DeadStop Equalizer Police Shields

Posted on June 18, 2012 by Randall

I was over in St. Petersburg last week and got to see their brand new DeadStop Equalizer Police Shields that were distributed to supervisors less than a month ago.  As you can see, the protective plastic sheets are still over the viewing window. Made by LCOA Composites, Inc, the DeadStop Equalizer is a NIJ level IIIa ballistic shield with a nice array of features, the most prominent of which is the ultra light weight.  The Equalizer shown above clocks in at 15 pounds for the 24″ X 40″ intermediate coverage shield.  DeadStop calls their composite formulation Feather Plate armor technology. I really liked the ergonomics of the Equalizer’s grab handle.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Officer Safety, Protective Armor, Technology | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Safe Traffic Direction Basics

Posted on June 4, 2012 by Randall

I was at a serious DUI traffic crash the other night.  All of the eastbound lanes of a six-lane state road were impassable.  I was assisting a new officer in maneuvering traffic in a U-turn away from the scene. The rookie did not have a traffic cone for his small tactical flashlight, nor did he have a whistle on him.  He was obviously not well skilled in traffic direction yet, so I kept an eye on him.  I loaned him my Streamlight Stinger and yellow cone.  I went to my cruiser for a sec to check the computer status screen and see if any priority calls were holding. That’s when … Continue reading →

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

Revision Desert Locust Goggles for Riot Control

Posted on May 23, 2012 by Randall

I had an opportunity to speak with Revision Military sales manager Sean Carey at the Special Operations Forces Industry Conference.  I had previously posted an article about their new Batlskin Modular Head Protection.  Our conversation turned to the upcoming Republican National Convention that will descend upon Tampa in August and Revision’s participation. Sean had a few things to add about his company’s role in crowd control.  He showed us a pair of the Revision Desert Locust Goggles, which he said provide not only ballistic protection, but eye protection against liquids.  Protesters at these large scale events will often try to disrupt police lines and generally antagonize officers by throwing containers … Continue reading →

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Special Operations Forces Industry Conference 2012

Posted on May 22, 2012 by Randall

I just got back from the Special Operations Forces Industry Conference in Tampa, FL.  This was the second year we attended the Exhibit Hall.  There is some cross-over from military operations to police services, especially in the SWAT arena.  Funding for military experimentation often leads to technological developments that trickle down into law enforcement.  While I doubt our TAC van will be sporting a Dillon Aero Titanium Gatling Gun anytime soon, I am always interested in seeing new products for the Warfighter.  You never know when some of these things will be the latest rage for those of us defending the streets. I was particularly pleased to speak to a … Continue reading →

Posted in Officer Safety, SOFIC, SWAT, Technology | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Flying With Your Firearm

Posted on May 21, 2012 by Randall

For the last several years I have been traveling by domestic airline with a handgun declared in my checked baggage.  I initially thought the process would be a hassle, but I discovered that it is not as difficult as I had anticipated.  As a certified law enforcement officer, you should always have access to a firearm. Your authority to carry a concealed firearm as a “qualified law enforcement officer” or “qualified retired law enforcement officer” in any jurisdiction in the United States of America is granted via the Law Enforcement Officers’ Safety Act or LEOSA.  Click on the link if you are not thoroughly versed in its regulations, which you … Continue reading →

Posted in Concealed Carry, Off Duty, Officer Safety | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments