Monthly Archives: February 2015

Police K9 Handlers and Dog Control

Posted on February 24, 2015 by Randall

A Coconut Creek Police Department K9 dog has been retired from the force after biting two innocent persons, one an officer.  Four-year-old K9 Renzo had only been on the job a year and a half at the time of his dismissal.  The circumstances of the bites, as widely reported in the media, shine a light on the subjects of a handler’s judgment and his control of his police dog in public. I am commenting only on the scenarios as documented, not the persons involved, who will not be named here.  In the first instance, November 26, 2014, the K9 team was tracking a home invasion suspect around 12 a.m.  The … Continue reading →

Posted in K9, Officer Safety, Street | Tagged , | 2 Comments

New CODECAM Police Body Camera

Posted on February 21, 2015 by Randall

I spied a couple of police body cameras at SHOT Show 2015.  One was the CODECAM designed by HQ Industries, LLC.  This is a low profile camera that can be carried in a uniform pen pocket or clipped to other items of clothing or MOLLE webbing.  It even comes with a magnetic mount.  HQ says theirs is the only camera with a built-in LED utility light. The CODECAM records video in 720p HD at 30 FPS and stores it on an 8 GB micro SD card, which can be removed for upload.  Video is recorded, in color and with audio, to .MOV format.  Over two hours of video can be … Continue reading →

Posted in Officer Safety, Street, Technology | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Recording the Police: Hands Up 4 Justice App

Posted on February 18, 2015 by Randall

Hands Up 4 Justice is an app that lets people record police/citizen encounters without the officer knowing that the user’s cell phone camera is active.  Although the message is that taping the interaction is innocent, the Hands Up 4 Justice Facebook page contains the following: “The App will allow you to secretly record any traffic stop & share & save the video online. In the event that you are detained or killed the video is safe” I am a little put off by the words “secretly” and “killed.”  This is more sinister than HU4J’s regular website, which gives helpful tips to app users such as: Make sure you have updated … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal, Officer Safety, Street | 2 Comments

Gerber Strongarm Fixed Blade Knife

Posted on February 14, 2015 by Randall

Gerber Legendary Blades as offered fixed blade knives for military use going way back to their 1966 Mark II fighter of Vietnam fame.  Focusing on the needs of the soldier in real time, Gerber’s new Strongarm knife is Made in the USA for today’s modern warriors.  This knife at SHOT Show barked SWAT use as well. Strongarm is a full tang fixed blade of 420HC stainless steel.  420HC is easy to resharpen and holds a decent edge.  It is used in some of Gerber’s fixed blades for its toughness and durability.  Blade length here is 4.875″ and it is coated in a black ceramic. The Strongarm stretches a measuring tape … Continue reading →

Posted in Knives, SWAT | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

SWAT Medics In Harm’s Way

Posted on February 11, 2015 by Randall

Last week, a Polk County SWAT medic was shot in the shoulder during a barricaded suspect shootout.  A Polk Sheriff’s Office M.R.A.P. was peppered by the suspect with over 40 rifle bullets in the incident.  This scenario reminded me of some of my Team’s struggles to integrate medics into our own program. When I joined SWAT in 1989, there were no trained medical professionals on any tactical unit in the my county.  About eight years later, we began sending fire department paramedics to SWAT School.  Although the FD guys qualified with handguns and shotguns, they only carried them in training. Once the medics had been activated with our Team, we … Continue reading →

Posted in SWAT | 4 Comments

Point Blank/Paraclete Shields at SHOT Show

Posted on February 8, 2015 by Randall

Mike from Point Blank Enterprises demonstrates some of the features of their new Paraclete brand Phalanx shield.  Paraclete also had several other new models with upgrades.  Below are the specs for the Phalanx: Level IIIA+ protection Lightweight (24” x 36” with viewport) is only 20 lbs. 100% Boltless System Larger, more functional view port Wider ballistic protection at top V – shape added strength to the entire center length of the shield Three weapon mount platform on both sides Accurate handgun and long – gun deployment Better view at 12 o’clock and conversely when held inverted 6 o’clock position Mitigates ricochets and diverts away from center 3 important components offered … Continue reading →

Posted in Protective Armor, SHOT Show, SWAT | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Taurus Curve at SHOT Show

Posted on February 4, 2015 by Randall

At SHOT Show 2015, I was able to leave my fingerprints on a Taurus Curve.  No, Taurus Manufacturing did not unveil the new .380 ACP pistol at Industry Day at the Range.  We had to settle for examining the firing pin-less version on the show floor.  Well, if you are going to set it on a peg, I will pick it up. I have to say that as soon as I had the Curve in a shooting grip, my face twisted in an unpleasant way.  Let me preface the next remarks with assurances to you that I have handled many, many handguns in my last 34 adult years.  Holding the … Continue reading →

Posted in Concealed Carry, Firearms, SHOT Show | Tagged | 2 Comments

New CRKT Shizuka noh Ken Folder

Posted on February 3, 2015 by Randall

James Williams’ history as a U.S. Army officer and martial arts instructor to military and police special units has led him to design a line of knives for Columbia River Knife & Tool.  Personally, I own the Williams/CRKT Hissatsu folder and Heiho.  With these combative blades in mind, I was happy to see yet another new Williams offering on the CRKT table at SHOT Show 2015:  the Shizuka noh Ken. The Shizuka noh Ken is a smaller version of the very popular Otanashi noh Ken, from Williams’ drawing board for SOCOM personnel.  But the 4.6″ bladed OnK is intended to be a large knife.  Shizuka noh Ken dials down the … Continue reading →

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Elite Survival Systems New Pulse Backpack

Posted on February 1, 2015 by Randall

Tony at Elite Survival Systems gave me a tour of their new Pulse 24 hour backpack.  It is filled with great features, as you can see.  I put it on and immediately tried to trade it for the one I brought to SHOT Show.  Well, no rules against trying. The vented back panel and aluminum stiffening spine seem to keep the Pulse off one’s lower and mid-back, the spots where a loaded pack traps heat.  I know this happens because when I took off the backpack I was wearing to put on the Pulse, I was sweating under the load.  The Pulse, conversely, felt airy.

Posted in Off Duty, SHOT Show, Tactical Bags | Tagged , | Leave a comment