Category Archives: Misc.

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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FDLE and AG Announce Decline in Prescription Drug Deaths

Posted on October 25, 2012 by Randall

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Florida Attorney General’s Office have announced the first prescription drug death decline in ten years.  I reported in March 2012 about AG Pam Bondi’s efforts to curb prescription drug deaths through the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program.  The FDLE, DEA, and local law enforcement have all collaborated to shut down pill mills, prosecute doctors abusing their authority, pulling the licenses of drug distributors and pharmacies who violate the law, and arresting abusers who violate the law.  Here is the press release from the AG’s Office: For the first time in nearly a decade, prescription drug-related deaths have declined. I joined Florida Department of … Continue reading →

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When the Balloon Goes Up! Launches Online Store for Gear That Just Works

Posted on October 15, 2012 by Randall

I received this release from my friend Ron over at When the Balloon Goes Up! He’s good people and publishes a great website.  I Blogrolled him when I started my site.  Much like Richard at BlueSheepdog.com or Paul at SafetySolutionsAcademy.com, I am proud to know these guys.  Click on the orange Balloon logo to go over to the store! Randall HUNTERSVILLE, North Carolina – October 15, 2012 – When the Balloon Goes Up! (http://balloongoesup.com), one of the most popular firearms blogs focused on training and gear for concealed carry, pistol competition and 72 hour preparedness, has launched a new online store to further serve that market. The When the Balloon … Continue reading →

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New Memorial To Fallen St. Petersburg Police Officers

Posted on October 14, 2012 by Randall

I had the honor of attending yesterday’s unveiling of the new memorial dedicated to fallen St. Petersburg police officers.  A few hundred citizens, law enforcement officers, and dignitaries stood in solemn tribute to the fifteen officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty protecting and serving the citizens of St. Petersburg since 1903.  The memorial proudly stands near the bay in Demens Landing, the waterfront park dedicated to city founder, Peter Demens. A piper from the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office began the proceedings with Amazing Grace.  Speakers included St. Pete Mayor Bill Foster, Councilwoman Leslie Curran, representatives of the non-profit Heroes of the St. Pete Police foundation, … Continue reading →

Posted in Media, Misc., Officer Down | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Bushnell Marine 7X50 Binoculars for Law Enforcement Use

Posted on October 1, 2012 by Randall

Surveillance is a daily component of the job as a law enforcement officer.  A good pair of binoculars and the understanding of how they work are essential to the task.  Bushnell’s Marine 7X50 binoculars are outstanding in this arena.  Why?  That requires a little explanation. Tech alert:  if you don’t want to learn about how binoculars work, too bad. A binocular optic enhances our vision by magnifying the light that enters our eyes.  Binocular vision means having two eyes arranged for stereoscopic viewing, which gives us depth perception. The magnification power of a binocular is the first number, say, 7 in 7X50.  These binoculars have a 7 power (7X) magnification … Continue reading →

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Changes Proposed for Florida’s Photo Array and Live Lineup Procedures

Posted on September 25, 2012 by Randall

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Florida Police Chief’s Association, Florida Sheriff’s Association, and the Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association are issuing standardized guidelines for law enforcement agencies shaping how photographic and live lineups will be conducted in the future. Originally proposed by the Florida Innocence Commission and used in the Eyewitness Reform Act (SB 1206 and HB 821), this legislation failed in both houses last year.  Though lobbying in Tallahassee against legislative mandates, the FDLE, FPCA, FSA, and FPAA have endorsed voluntary changes to photo and live lineup procedures. Because the FPAA is “requiring” the voluntary changes in each judicial circuit, the implementation of these guidelines is a foregone conclusion.  … Continue reading →

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9/11 Observance

Posted on September 11, 2012 by Randall

On Tuesday, September 11, 2001, I was nearly two hours into a Daywatch patrol shift when I decided to swing by a high school and visit with the School Resource Officer.  The school was in my sector and the SRO was by himself.  With more than 2000 students, I knew he needed some back-up on occasion. As I entered his office, I saw him intently staring at the television and absently chewing a Twizzler.  He did not look up at me when I came in.  I sat down next to him and asked what was going on.  “Not sure,” he said.  It was about 8:50 am.  We began watching the … Continue reading →

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Milspec Plastics’ Cobra Cuff is NTOA Member Approved

Posted on September 4, 2012 by Randall

Milspec Plastics touts their Cobra Cuffs as “the only patented double-locking, foldable, disposable restraint” on the market.  Strong, UV stabilized, and Made in the USA, the Cobra Cuff has a restraining strap riveted to the zip-tie to aid in prisoner control through leverage.  Milspec said their product has a 300+ lbs. assembled tensile strength.  Their latest press release is below. Randall MILSPEC PLASTICS COBRA CUFFS ARE NATIONAL TACTICAL OFFICERS ASSOCIATION (NTOA) MEMBER TESTED AND RECOMMENDED Asheville, NC (August 2012) – Milspec Plastics, manufacturer of the patented Cobra Cuffs and distributor of additional arrest, riot control and personal security products for law enforcement, corrections, military and professional security agents, has secured … Continue reading →

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Safariland/Kona Introduces New Patrol Bike 29er

Posted on August 3, 2012 by Randall

This press release went out after the IPMBA Conference in May.  I recently received another email notification about the bike.  I have some time with Cannondale and Smith & Wesson police mountain bikes under me.  This one has some nice features.  Video attached below from SHOT Show 2012. JACKSONVILLE, Florida – Safariland®, a BAE Systems line of business, announced today at the International Police Mountain Bike Association (IPMBA) Conference that it is introducing a brand new Patrol Bike product line for the law enforcement market. Safariland has teamed with Kona USA, one of the world’s leading all-terrain bicycle manufacturers, to develop the flagship product in the line, the Safariland®/Kona® Patrol … Continue reading →

Posted in Misc., SHOT Show, Street, Technology | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Bullet-Free Sky Aims to End Celebratory Gunfire

Posted on July 3, 2012 by Randall

On New Year’s Eve 2012, so called “celebratory gunfire” launched a bullet skyward that struck 13 year old Ruskin resident Diego Duran in the head.  Duran was seriously injured and was rushed to surgery.  He was in a coma for a month.  Duran has spent months after that in recovery and rehabilitation. Duran’s family has begun a Bullet-Free Sky campaign to raise awareness for the dangers of firing guns into the air and hopefully prevent tragic incidents such as the one that befell Diego six months ago. On the very same New Year’s Eve night Duran was shot, officers from my squad responded to a call of a child hit … Continue reading →

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Redefining Criminology…or I Get the Strangest Correspondence

Posted on June 28, 2012 by Randall

This graphic was sent to me by a reader who asked me to critique it.  In looking at it, I don’t know why she sent it to me.  I had very strong negative feelings (you’ll know why when you read it), and I sent back an email saying I thought it was “misleading.”  Now, where are those damnable blood pressure pills? Okay, this is the email I sent back: “In 24 years as a sworn police officer, I have been spit on, punched, kicked, hit with all manner of foreign objects, attacked twice with knives, and shot at half a dozen times.  I am a sergeant in a mid-sized Florida … Continue reading →

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Alternative Drug Psychosis in Miami?

Posted on May 30, 2012 by Randall

I can’t help but to introduce a few thoughts about the “Man Fatally Shot Chewing on Another Man’s Face” story out of Miami.  I wrote an article last month about alternative drugs causing aggressive behavior in suspects.  The Miami officer-involved shooting last Saturday is an extreme example, and a now-viral reminder, of just how dangerously people can act in a mind altered state. Deceased offender Rudy Eugene did not appear to have been diagnosed with a mental illness, according to acquaintances.  The president of the Miami FOP said Eugene was under the influence of “bath salts,” another alternative drug much like the incense derivatives.  Either substance is cooked up in … Continue reading →

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Memorial Day

Posted on May 28, 2012 by Randall

Memorial Day was first observed on May 30, 1868.  It was originally called Decoration Day and flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers in Arlington National Cemetery. Memorial Day is a federal holiday honoring those members of the United States military who have fallen in their service to our country.  Flags should be flown in the morning and lowered to half-staff at noon.  Parades are traditional.  Beginning on the Thursday before Memorial Day members of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division place flags at all 260,000 graves in Arlington National Cemetery. This Memorial Day will also commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. In honor of … Continue reading →

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Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics–Now Running

Posted on April 10, 2012 by Randall

The Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Florida came through my county today.  The Torch Run is in its 31st year of raising awareness and funds for the Special Olympics.  Each year in Florida over 5,000 law enforcement officers from more than 300 agencies will carry the Flame of Hope on a 1,500 mile relay through 66 counties. The Flame of Hope’s journey began March 26 in Escambia County and will finish on May 9 in Osceola County, in time for Opening Ceremonies to the Special Olympics Summer Games in Lake Buena Vista, FL on May 18. For the last ten years or so, Bill has been my agency’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Misc., Off Duty | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

Florida Attorney General’s Efforts Curbing Pill Mills

Posted on March 17, 2012 by Randall

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 … Continue reading →

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