-
Archives
- September 2026
- August 2026
- July 2026
- June 2026
- February 2026
- October 2025
- May 2025
- January 2025
- January 2020
- July 2019
- January 2019
- March 2018
- March 2017
- November 2016
- September 2016
- July 2016
- June 2016
- May 2016
- April 2016
- March 2016
- February 2016
- January 2016
- December 2015
- November 2015
- October 2015
- September 2015
- August 2015
- July 2015
- June 2015
- May 2015
- April 2015
- March 2015
- February 2015
- January 2015
- December 2014
- November 2014
- October 2014
- September 2014
- August 2014
- July 2014
- June 2014
- May 2014
- April 2014
- March 2014
- February 2014
- January 2014
- December 2013
- November 2013
- October 2013
- September 2013
- August 2013
- July 2013
- June 2013
- May 2013
- April 2013
- March 2013
- February 2013
- January 2013
- December 2012
- November 2012
- October 2012
- September 2012
- August 2012
- July 2012
- June 2012
- May 2012
- April 2012
- March 2012
- February 2012
- January 2012
- December 2011
-
Meta
Monthly Archives: December 2014
Florida First Responder Appreciation Week
This came in from the Capitol this week. It would be a good time to appreciate the sacrifices that all law enforcement officers, firefighters, and EMT’s make each day they put on their uniforms to protect the citizens of the State of Florida. None of these jobs are easy and each has its own inherent rewards and risks. Take time out next week to thank someone who pins on a badge. I know I will. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Governor Rick Scott issued the following proclamation recognizing January 5-9 as Florida First Responder Appreciation Week: FLORIDA FIRST RESPONDER APPRECIATION WEEK WHEREAS, Tarpon Springs Police Officer Charles Kondek and Leon County … Continue reading
Posted in Media, Misc., Politics
Leave a comment
Long Range Police Marksmanship Part Two
(Ed. Note: Aaron is a sworn LEO and SWAT cop in another state. He frequently comments here at TBF and is an editor at BlueSheepdog.com. The following was originally sent as a comment to my article Long Range Police Marksmanship, but I felt it should stand alone as a post. Welcome Aaron!) The mindset that the pistol cannot be used beyond 25 yards permeates the law enforcement community, and is a dangerous and ignorant concept. It is true that a pistol is often not as easy to maintain accuracy at longer shots because of the lack of a solid supporting position, but it doesn’t mean that they cannot be effective, … Continue reading
Posted in Firearms, Officer Safety, Street
2 Comments
New Beretta M9A3 Introduced
Beretta USA has announced the newest version of the venerable Military M9–the M9A3. The freshened 9mm pistol includes a MIL-STD 1913 accessory rail, dovetailed tritium sights, a thinner and modular grip, suppressor threaded barrel, and other upgrades. Says Beretta: “On 10 December 2014 Beretta USA submitted to the U.S. Army the M9 ECP (Engineering Change Proposal) that identifies major improvements to the M9 to increase the operational effectiveness and operational suitability of the weapon. These improvements consist of design and material changes resulting in increased modularity, reliability, durability, and ergonomics.” In addition, it is being reported that a law enforcement/civilian version of the M9A3 will
Posted in Firearms
5 Comments
Tarpon Springs Officer Down
A Tarpon Springs, FL police officer was shot and killed overnight. The suspect is in custody. Neither the officer’s, nor suspect’s names have been released, but the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office and Tarpon Springs Police Department said they are both male. I will update this after a press conference is held later this morning. Update: The murdered officer is Ofc. Charles Kondek, 45, a 17 year veteran of TSPD and five years MOS with NYPD. He is survived by a wife and six children. No press conference as of 3:45 pm… It appeared Ofc. Kondek was on a call for service when he was killed, but few other details about … Continue reading
Posted in Officer Down, Officer Safety
1 Comment
NYPD Officers Murdered in Retaliation
Today’s assassination of two New York City Police Department officers was reported to be in retaliation for the deaths of Michael Brown and Eric Garner. The killer ambushed the NYPD officers as they sat in their patrol car in Brooklyn. The killer posted his intentions on Instagram. He committed suicide after fleeing the scene into a subway station. Criminals have been calling for the killing of officers since Ferguson. The anti-cop rhetoric has increased since the in-custody death of Garner. Unfortunately, the murder of police officers was predictable. I urge all officers to step up their situational awareness and team tactics. We are marked targets. Do not take your life … Continue reading
Posted in Officer Down, Officer Safety, Tactics
1 Comment
Florida Fallen Law Enforcement Officers Specialty License Plate
A few weeks ago, a colleague brought in a sample of the Florida Fallen Law Enforcement Officers Specialty License Plate. A non-profit called the Police and Kids Foundation, Inc. is promoting the presale of these tags. Their goal is to presell 1,000 of the tags in 24 months to qualify for production and distribution. After about three months, the total thus far is about 290. From the Police and Kids Foundation website: “The Police and Kids Foundation, Inc is a non-profit 501( C) 3 charity that has been set up with two objectives in mind. First are the immediate needs of a child that we determine is in need of … Continue reading
Posted in Misc., Off Duty
2 Comments
RAMP–Rapid Access Magazine Pod Review
When I cruise the vendors’ displays at SWAT Round-Up International, I look for new products. About three-quarters of the way down the north aisle, I saw something that made me pause: an AR-15 mag pouch that had the magazine…upside down. Well, I had to stop and chat with the folks at Gear4Grunts.com. CEO Doug Mullen is the inventor of the RAMP, or Rapid Access Magazine Pod. Doug’s military experience and work as a civilian defense contractor led him to ask, “Why are we still carrying rifle magazines the same way we did in WWI?” In examining the ergonomics of a magazine change, Doug figured out something innovative. The patent pending … Continue reading
Posted in Firearms, Protective Armor, Street, SWAT, Technology
Leave a comment
Long Range Police Marksmanship Part One
The November 28th police shooting in Austin, Texas, where a mounted patrol officer neutralized an active shooter at over 100 yards with his handgun, reminded me of another active shooter incident 20 years ago. Both cases reinforce the lesson that police pistol training needs to take place at longer ranges. Austin Sgt. Adam Johnson engaged suspect Larry McQuilliams, who had unleashed over 200 rounds around the city’s downtown from two rifles, at 312 feet with his duty Smith & Wesson M&P40. Johnson was on foot and holding the reigns of two horses when he fired a single fatal shot, one-handed, at the suspect. The bullet hit the McQuilliams in the … Continue reading
Posted in Firearms, Officer Safety, Street
3 Comments
…and the Hits Just Keep on Coming…
I have about reached my mainstream media saturation point in the last couple of weeks, what with the Ferguson grand jury, the NYPD “chokehold” grand jury, the NYPD stairwell shooting, the Arizona “pill bottle” shooting, and the Cleveland shootings (take your pick). So much bad information is floating around the Internet and airwaves that it hangs like a toxic smog over L.A. Law enforcement is seeing a backlash perhaps more insidious than one we saw during the Rodney King incident in 1992. In 1992, we had rioting, but it was isolated to Los Angeles. Today, we are seeing demonstrations against the police across the nation. It saddened me that protesting … Continue reading
Posted in Media, Misc.
2 Comments
Ruger Stretches the LCRx to 3 Inches
Sturm, Ruger & Co. has been busy this year in the revolver department. At January’s SHOT Show, we got to shoot the LCRx, an external hammer version of their polymer/aluminum wheelgun. Next came the 9mm moon-clipped LCR model introduced in October. Out of nowhere, Ruger just announced its new 3″ barreled LCRx in .38 Spl. +P. “The newest LCRx is the perfect revolver for backpacking, concealed carry, home defense, or just plinking,” said Chris Killoy, Ruger’s President and Chief Operating Officer. “The 3″ barrel, adjustable sight, and modest weight create a great all-around gun.” I know Ruger is upscaling an existing platform, which will hold down the production costs, but … Continue reading
Ferguson Story Twisted by the Media Bias
With 24-hour news cycle focused firmly on the events in Ferguson since the findings of the grand jury, I would like to discuss the media coverage. In my opinion, the mainstream media spins itself in the direction of solid ratings and the truth be damned. It has been disappointing to see the public misled by faulty journalism. Nearly three months after the shooting, I am still hearing about the slow police response to the crime scene. Four hours for that poor suspect to lie in the street was “an injustice.” Having investigated many major crime scenes, I can tell you that the photography, examination, and forensic collection at a death … Continue reading
Posted in Media, Misc.
3 Comments