Police Technology. Meh.

Posted on October 5, 2012 by Randall

There have been many technological changes in the last quarter century that have made the copper’s job…different.  Not always better, but certainly not the same.

When I started out, our duty belts held a .38 cal. revolver (S&W M64), 2 HKS speedloaders, large Motorola MT500 portable radio, handcuffs, and rings for a full-length Monadnock PR-24 sidehandle baton and Mag-Lite.  My agency made the switch to Smith & Wesson 669 9mm semi-automatics pistols in 1987.

The firepower on a patrolman’s belt has definitely increased.  We got hi-cap magazines for the S&W autoloader that topped off at 15 rounds.  Forty-six rounds of 9mm sure beat 18 slow-to-reload wheelgun shots.  My issued handgun now has .40 cal. S&W bullets.  Some of our guys wear new triple mag pouches, bringing the deadly cartridge count to 49.

Several years after I was hired, we would get OC spray and collapsible PR-24’s.  Monadnock kept our business when we switched from the old PR-24’s to the newer Autolock batons.  I still miss my PR-24.

My agency had ECD’s back in the mid-1980’s.  Our SWAT Team originally fielded the Continue reading →

Posted in Firearms, Flashlights, Taser, Technology | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Georgia K9 Dog Dies From Severe Neglect

Posted on October 3, 2012 by Randall

K9 Sasha

I am absolutely sickened by this story in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution about Warwick, GA Police K9 Sasha, who died of neglect in her Chevrolet Tahoe while her “handler” was on a three day vacation.

K9 Sasha, a 10 year old Dutch Shepherd, had been given to the Warwick PD by the Miami, FL Police Department about two years ago.  She was a trained narcotics detector dog with many finds both in Florida and in Georgia.

Click the link above if you want to read the details of her death.  I really do not feel like printing them here.

As a former Police K9 Handler, I had nothing but outrage in reading the story.  I sincerely hope that the horrific death of this animal did not come about as described.  I have had friends who lost their partners to faulty A/C and heat alarm units, but never something as criminally neglectful as forgetting a K9 dog in a car for three days.

The articles quotes the Warwick police chief’s report as saying, “(the ‘handler’) stated that Sasha must have let herself inside the vehicle over the weekend while he was out of town.”  Wha? Continue reading →

Posted in K9, Media | Tagged , , | 15 Comments

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 and a 50 mm objective lens in the front.  The larger the objective lens, the more light it gathers.

Much of police surveillance occurs in low light or darkness conditions.  Traditionally, 7X50mm binoculars are referred to as “night glasses” because of the maximum amount of light they can provide at dawn or dusk.  This also works when the sun has gone down.

Simply speaking, the size of the “exit pupil” of a binocular determines how much light Continue reading →

Posted in Misc., Street, Technology | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Broward Motor Deputy Killed in Crash

Posted on September 27, 2012 by Randall

Deputy Christopher Schaub

Broward County Sheriff’s Deputy Christopher Schaub was killed yesterday in an on-duty motorcycle crash.  Dep. Schaub, a 22 year BSO veteran, was pronounced dead at Broward Health Medical Center after emergency surgery.

Dep. Schaub’s motorcycle collided with a silver Mercedes-Benz sedan at West McNab Road and North Andrews Avenue in Pompano Beach on Wednesday.  He was airlifted from the scene, but died of his injuries.  The driver of the Mercedes was treated for minor injuries.

Dep. Schaub was one of BSO’s fifty motorcycle officers.  He joined the Motorcycle Unit several years ago after long service as a detective.

Dep. Schaub is survived by a daughter and his son Deputy Timothy Schaub of the Broward Sheriff’s Office.  The crash is under investigation.  Funeral arrangements will be announced by BSO.

Randall

Posted in Officer Down | Leave a comment

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.  Your police agency will be adopting them.

The Standards for Florida State and Local Law Enforcement Agencies in Dealing with Photographic or Live Lineups in Eyewitness Identification outlines the Florida Innocence Commission’s position on the matter.  Subsequent to this, the FDLE, FPCA, FSA, and FPAA issued their Commentary and Instructions to the above standards.

The general standards can be summed up here:

III. Standards for Florida State and Local Law Enforcement Agencies in Dealing with Photographic or Live Lineups in Eyewitness Identification

Each Florida state and local law enforcement agency shall have in place a written policy regarding photographic or live lineups to be utilized in eyewitness identification.  The policy shall address at a minimum the following:

A.    The creation, composition, and utilization of the photo array or lineup.
B.    Standard instructions to be used to instruct the witness Continue reading →

Posted in Legal, Misc. | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

BDS Tactical HydroBull Taurus Hydration Pack Review

Posted on September 24, 2012 by Randall

I got tired of seeing tags inside my nylon gear that said, “Made in Some-Asian-Country-istan.”  I have been trying to throw my hard earned treasury notes at more products Made in our United States of America.  When I sought out a new hydration pack, I typed “Made in USA” into the all-knowing search engine.

One of the top entries with which I was rewarded was BDS Tactical.  BDS makes high quality nylon gear in their production facility in Oceanside, CA.  The president and CEO of BDS Tactical is Michael Bornfriend, a USMC 1st Recon Bn and Baltimore PD veteran, who tired of failed tactical equipment.

BDS Tactical makes a rugged array of military, law enforcement, and civilian nylon gear that “is designed, manufactured, and assembled in the United States.”  Okay, that gets my attention!

My most recent purchasing requirements were for a lightweight, simple hydration pack for my exercise forays.  1.  It is very hot and humid in Florida.  2.  I go out into #1.   I am the second to admit I try to take too much stuff with me when I egress the primary residential portal.  I just wanted a stripped-down way to carry some water on long walks with my spouse (the first one to admit…).

Surfing the BDS website, I clicked on the Hydration tab and saw their HydroBull Taurus.  It is a low profile hydration backpack that holds a 100 oz. bladder.  The Taurus comes in 8 colors:  Coyote Brown, Multi Cam, Army Cam, Black, Ranger Green, OD Green, Foliage Green, and Air Force Cam.  The hydration bladder is included in the purchase and comes Continue reading →

Posted in Off Duty, Tactical Bags | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Evolution of the Police TASER

Posted on September 20, 2012 by Randall

There is no doubt that one of the most significant technological advances in law enforcement over the last twenty years has been the development and deployment of Electronic Control Devices (EDC’s) for less lethal suspect management.

The father of the modern EDC was the late Dr. John “Jack” Higson Cover, Jr., a nuclear physicist and NASA scientist.  He envisioned an electric weapon that could immobilize a person without the harm of a firearm.  In 1974, Cover patented an ECD named after the 1911 novel Tom Swift and his Electric Rifle—hence the name TASER.

Dr. Jack Cover

Cover’s original TASER Systems TF-1 was classified as an NFA Title II weapon by the BATF based on the case design and because the electrified wire-tethered darts were propelled by a gunpowder charge.  Further developments by Cover led to the TF-76 and TF-76A being classed as “handguns.”  Sales of the new technology were therefore less restrictive.

After TASER Systems went bankrupt, Cover sold its interests to an investor who marketed ECD’s under the name Tasertron beginning in the mid-1980’s.  Their flagship EDC was the TE-86.  Still gunpowder fired, the TE-86 was marginally effective.

At my agency, TE-86’s were fielded by SWAT members and supervisors. The triggering device on the Tasertron was a rocker switch.  Push right to fire the right side cartridge, push left for the other cartridge.  The problem was that you had to push to fire the darts, but hold down the rocker switch to continue the electrical charge to the probes.

I have one vivid recollection of a knife-wielding suspect being hit with a TE-86 in the late 1980’s.  The sergeant, though trained, was not proficient with the ECD’s use.  He pushed the right then the left rocker, but under stress he did not hold down either one.  The suspect jumped into the air, having only been briefly stunned and now wearing four darts.

Worse, the suspect had convulsed and grabbed the blade of the butcher knife he had been brandishing.  I won’t forget the mix of anger and shock on his face as he stood there Continue reading →

Posted in Taser, Technology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Evolution of the Police TASER

DeSantis Mag-Packer Pocket Magazine Carrier Review

Posted on September 18, 2012 by Randall

Last night I went for a casual dinner with my wife.  I wear either jeans or slacks when we go out.  Not wanting to feel like I am equipped with a duty belt, I pocket carried my Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 380.  Inexpensive, functional pocket holsters are available from makers such as Galco, Uncle Mike’s, and DeSantis.  But how to bring along more bullets…

DeSantis Holster and Leather Goods of Amityville, NY, makes the Mag-Packer carrier, which solves the reload dilemma when you are dressed to tactically relax (heh, heh, heh).

I was in the bad habit of dropping a spare magazine or revolver speed strip into my support side front pocket.  Not quite so bad, when compared to some of my associates who will leave the house without a reload.  Still, it’s not good.

While the gun and holster always ride alone in their pocket for safety’s sake, I may deposit car keys or spare change on the other side with my extra ammo. I want the magazine or speed strip oriented so I don’t have to fish for it. Continue reading →

Posted in Concealed Carry, Firearms, Off Duty | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

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 of the knife, the FTO reached out just to tug on the handle of the TDI.  To his surprise, the blade came right out!  The recruit instinctively went to grab his knife and bang!  He got cut.  Oh, dear.

I purchased a KA-BAR TDI two years ago.  I threaded it into my underbelt and situated it in the recommended location, behind my gun belt’s double magazine pouch on my support side front.  Tactical Defense Institute said the knife could be mounted in either a forward or reverse grip for the support hand.  I have trained in a reverse grip.  In either position, I was immediately concerned with its lack of security.  It did not stay there the whole shift.  A fellow sergeant also had the same experience.

The problem is not with the knife itself.  The TDI positions the blade aggressively in the hand for cutting and punching with a straight wrist.  Its handle is relieved to lock the index finger and prevent one’s digits from sliding on to the blade.  With training, the TDI can be wielded with great martial lethality.

Continue reading →

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

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 terror attacks unfold.  At 9:03, we watched, stunned, as the second plane hit the World Trade Center.  The Pentagon was next around 9:37.

Within an hour of me entering that office, the United States of America had awoken to the power of terrorism.  The SRO got a call from the school’s administrative office.  Parents were panicking and coming to the campus.

We abandoned the horror on TV and went to the school’s courtyard and pick-up area.  Students were moving about the school.  Several stopped to ask if we had seen what was going on in New York, Washington D.C., and Pennsylvania.  “It’s fine, you’re all safe,” we delivered with a smile.  A stream of cars, mini-vans, and pick-ups began to clog the driveway.  Scared parents were arriving to get their kids.  The SRO and I attempted to calm them, too.

I work in west central Florida.  I look back and I am amazed at how the fear of terrorism crossed distance and communities without impediment.  President George W. Bush was in Sarasota that day, not far south of my city.  I think that may have heightened the Continue reading →

Posted in Misc. | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Jupiter PD Officer Killed in Presidential Motorcade

Posted on September 10, 2012 by Randall

Ofc. St. Laurent, Jupiter PD

Jupiter Police Ofc. Bruce St. Laurent was killed yesterday while engaged in a police motorcade escorting President Obama.  Ofc. St. Laurent’s motorcycle was hit by a truck as the officer was shutting down I-95 at 45th Street in West Palm Beach.  The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and Florida Highway Patrol are investigating the crash.

Ofc. St. Laurent, 55, was a 20 year veteran of the Jupiter Police Department.  He was a motor officer for the last 18 years.  Ofc. St. Laurent had participated in several past presidential motorcades.

Funeral arrangements will be announced by the Jupiter Police Department.

Randall

 

Posted in Officer Down | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Crimson Trace Lasergrip LG-405’s For Your BUG Revolver

Posted on September 9, 2012 by Randall

Most cops are not gun guys or gals.  I know from talking to them.  I was showing my unloaded Smith & Wesson 442 Centennial Airweight back-up gun to a co-worker, when a few others happened into the office.

“How does it turn on? ”  “Is it accurate?”  “Are they expensive?”  I felt like I was showing them a Ray Gun from 1950’s science fiction.  “Careful, lads, it’ll blast a hole clean through that wall!”

I run Crimson Trace Lasergrips on my Smith & Wesson J-frame revolvers.  My choice is the LG-405, which has slightly shorted hind quarters when compared to the longer gripped LG-305.  The smaller butt on the 405 gives better concealment for my needs, on and off duty, but I still find plenty of grip in the hand.

The frame of the LG-405 is polymer.  It houses the laser diode, battery, and switch.  There are rubber overmolds on the front and back strap of the Lasergrip.  They add a tackiness to the handle.  I find the back-strap overmold is nicely flared out to provide extra cushioning Continue reading →

Posted in Concealed Carry, Firearms, Technology | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Visit to Venture Ballistic Composites Shield Factory

Posted on September 5, 2012 by Randall

I was in Pinellas County yesterday to visit the manufacturing plant for Venture Ballistic Composites, Inc., a maker of  bullet-resistant shields for law enforcement and the Military.  Venture’s President Todd Garrett talked shop and showed me their proprietary method for building ballistic shields.  He even demonstrated this by building one from the ground up while I was there.  Very cool!  No photos, please–trade secrets.

Venture Ballistics is a strongly anchored Florida company that uses American made products and buys from vendors within 50 miles of the shop.  Garrett said their aim is to produce shields which exceed NIJ standards for protection, are lightweight, and are affordable.  In the first year and a half of operation, they have sold over 1,400 shields, mostly to Florida law enforcement agencies.  Not one has been returned.

Garrett said a core principle of his operation is the use of “value engineering” to maximize the functionality of their products, while maintaining a focus on cost efficiency.  Because Garrett and his staff came to shield-making from other industries, he said they have an outside-the-box approach that has led to their aerospace construction techniques and innovative design touches.  Garrett possesses a considerable understanding of firearms ballistics, a must in his position.

Affixed to the wall of the office is an array of shot up shields.  It serves as a reminder of Continue reading →

Posted in Florida Companies, Protective Armor, Technology | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

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 a 4.88 out of 5.0 score for the Cobra Cuffs through the NTOA’s Member Tested and Recommended program.

“Upon testing and evaluating Cobra Cuffs from Milspec Plastics, I found them to be an easy-to-use, reliable and functional disposable restraint product,” a police officer from Maryland commented.

The National Tactical Officer Association Member Tested and Recommended program allows manufacturers to have their products tested in the field by the law enforcement community. Cobra Cuffs, a patented, disposable restraint system allows officer to quickly subdue suspects. The Cobra Cuffs are compact, foldable and easy to store on a MOLLE system or tactical vest. The cuffs allow the officer to quickly restrain a suspect without undue manipulation while the riveted straps provide extra leverage to control suspects. A double-lock reduces liability due to any accidental over-tightening common with standard zip ties. The tactical, pick-proof double cuff comes in a variety of colors for color coding suspects during large arrest or detainment situations. The disposable Cobra Cuffs reduce the transfer of disease by eliminating reuse. Cobra Cuffs also offers Continue reading →

Posted in Misc., Street | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Rob Pincus on “Irresponsible Open Carry Activism” and the Second Amendment

Posted on August 30, 2012 by Randall

Rob Pincus is a former law enforcement officer, SWAT member, and world-renowned firearms and personal defense trainer.  Below was his response to what he sees as a threat to open carry and gun rights, in general.  I agree with his viewpoint.

He asked Grant Cunningham to post this on his blog, and Mr. Cunningham gave me the go-ahead to reprint here.  I think it relevant,  in light of the obnoxious behavior by the wanna-be activists against Oregon cops that went viral last week…

Irresponsible Open Carry Activism Jeopardizes The RKBA

Guns should be carried for personal defense, not Activism. The best way to do that 99% of the time is Concealed Carry.

Even if people do choose to Open Carry, they shouldn’t do it to provoke confrontation nor be uncooperative with the police while doing it. It makes gun owners look bad, turns cops against us, wastes their valuable time and certainly isn’t going to make it more likely that people will think “oh, gun owners are normal people, not trouble makers.”

Spread the Word. Most people have realized that the time for “solidarity” through tolerance of the guys carrying guns with video cameras has come and gone. Their bravado is jeopardizing our RKBA and should be seen as an embarrassment to responsible gun owners. When the OC Movement started, people carrying while going about their daily business to show responsibly armed people are part of everyday life, it made some sense… but, the extremists have spun Continue reading →

Posted in Concealed Carry, Defensive Tactics, Legal, Media | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments