Monthly Archives: April 2013

Gov. Rick Scott Literally Shoots Down Police Drones

Posted on April 27, 2013 by Randall

Okay, not literally, but I get a kick out of when people misuse the word.  Anyway, Gov. Rick Scott signed into law this week legislation which will, in essence, keep law enforcement drones grounded by way of severe restrictions. Effective 6/1/2013, the Florida Freedom from Unwarranted Surveillance Act would prohibit law enforcement agencies from using an unmanned aerial vehicle (defined as a drone in the act) to gather evidence or other information, or from using evidence obtained or collected in violation of the act in any state court of law. A drone is defined as a powered, aerial vehicle that: 1.  Does not carry a human operator; 2.  Uses aerodynamic forces … Continue reading →

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Polk Deputy Killed in Cruiser Crash

Posted on April 26, 2013 by Randall

Polk County Sheriff’s Office Master Deputy Joseph “Shane” Robbins was killed in a single vehicle cruiser crash this morning. Dep. Robbins was westbound on Bomber Road nearing U.S. 17, when his marked car went off the roadway on a curve.  The cause has yet to be determined and PCSO is asking for information from anyone who may have witnessed the crash. Dep. Robbins, 40, was a 15 year sworn deputy with Polk County.  He had served as a Special Victims Unit detective and a Homicide detective.  He is survived by his wife and their five children.  Funeral arrangements will be announced by PCSO.  Thoughts and prayers for his family… Randall … Continue reading →

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NavElite Trekker H Wrist Worn Compass Review

Posted on April 23, 2013 by Randall

I remember a hostage rescue simulation, calendars past, that involved a rural house surrounded by very heavy woods.  I was an ATL then.  A sniper and I were tasked by the team leader with clandestinely scouting the location, staging the outer perimeter, and finding the best ingress to the target for the assault element.  We kind of got disorie…un-uhhh…lost.  Thankfully, it was just a training scenario.  NavElite currently produces a compass that I would certainly recommend to active guys in SWAT. Wearing a wrist-mounted direction finder that has backlighting can be a huge advantage in tactical operations.  Yeah, you could fool around with a flashlight and hand held lensatic compass, … Continue reading →

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Keep Your Heads Down

Posted on April 19, 2013 by Randall

The manhunt for the Boston Marathon bombers is underway.  An MIT officer is dead and an MBTA officer was seriously wounded.  This is one of several all out manhunts that have occurred already this year.  The Boston bombers had thrown explosives at the officers overnight.  I texted an old friend at MBTA Police and he said his guy was in pretty serious condition.  Thoughts and prayers to our brothers up North… Update:  Second suspect in custody.  MBTA Ofc. Donohue critical, but now stable.  

Posted in Officer Safety | 1 Comment

Poor Judgment Leads to Police Sergeant’s Firing

Posted on April 14, 2013 by Randall

This is a sample of the target that Sgt. Ron King of the Port Canaveral, FL Police Department wanted to use as a “training aid” during an April 2nd department firearms training.  He was fired on Friday.  The text of his explanation, which was posted on YouTube, is below.  King’s version doesn’t quite jibe when you actually see the target.  Skittles and an Arizona Iced Tea?  With a crosshair reticle?  Come on… Randall  “Good Evening, my name is Ron King and I am the focus of some recent media attention based on lies, false information and political agendas. “First, you’ll have to excuse me if I refer to my computer … Continue reading →

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Selecting FTOs

Posted on April 12, 2013 by Randall

I am an FTO sergeant on my squad.  Today was the selection process for new field training officers.  A letter of intent, resume, supervisors’ recommendations, and performance evaluations were previously submitted by the candidates.  Interviews were then conducted by a panel of command officers and supervisors. The dozen candidates acquitted themselves well.  I was impressed with the applicants’ knowledge of our program, which is based upon the San Jose model.  During the interview, most articulated a strong desire to teach and explained the importance of adapting their style to the particular recruit’s learning needs. This is a far cry from the attitudes of FTO’s a few decades ago.  Years back, … Continue reading →

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Surviving to Twenty-Five Part Two

Posted on April 8, 2013 by Randall

In the first part of Surviving to Twenty-Five, I yapped a bit about safety and diet and exercise.  Another part of long-term officer survival is in the work arena.  Over the years, I have collected a few tips for getting your career off to a good beginning. If you just had those patches sewn on your uniform shirts, the best tactic for you on the job is to keep your eyes and ears open and your mouth closed, except to ask questions.  And, contrary to cliché, there is such a thing as a dumb question.  It’s the one you have already asked more than once. Ours is a profession devoted … Continue reading →

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Legendary Miami-Dade Medical Examiner Passes Away

Posted on April 5, 2013 by Randall

Dr. Joseph Davis, 88, died on March 19, 2013.  He was a giant in the field of forensic pathology.  In 1956, Dr. Davis and Dr. Stanley Durlacher opened the first Medical Examiner’s office in Metro-Dade County.  Shortly thereafter, Dr. Davis became the Chief Medical Examiner, a post which he held from 1957 to 1996 and again in 2000-2001. Dr. Davis is credited with pioneering modern death investigation, strongly influencing public safety legislation, and training hundreds of medical examiners in the science worldwide.  Under Dr. Davis’ guidance, the Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner Department crafted their lauded Police MedicoLegal Investigation of Death Course.  The 40 hour seminar, a.k.a. Homicide School, is attended … Continue reading →

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SCCY CPX-2 Pistol Review

Posted on April 2, 2013 by Randall

One of my buddies loaned his Ruger LCR to a co-worker for off-duty carry.  The co-worker is a newer cop and she was short on funds after having a baby.  It got me thinking that not everyone in the squad room can afford an expensive back-up piece.  Introducing:  SCCY Industries. SCCY Industries, LLC (pronounced “Sky”) makes handguns in Daytona Beach, Florida.  After handling their Generation 2 CPX-1 and CPX-2’s at SHOT Show, I was impressed with the design and quality control of their 9mm polymer pistols.  Fit and finish was above average, especially if you factored in the MSRP:  $319.00 for the CPX-1 and $299.00 for the CPX-2!  It elicited … Continue reading →

Posted in Concealed Carry, Firearms, Florida Companies, Off Duty, SHOT Show | Tagged , , , , , , | 43 Comments