SWATting Brings Controversy

Posted on June 12, 2012 by Randall

I’m a big fan of Robb Allen over at the blog Sharp as a Marble.  He’s from my neck of the woods and is passionate about the Second Amendment.  Heck, I even put him on my Blogroll.  But I’m annoyed at a recent post about SWATting.

In his entry, he condemns the militarization of the police, and its abuses, which include the practice of sending the police to a fake critical incident (SWATting).  His post was prompted by the SWATting of blogger Patrick Frey.  However, Allen and others assert that apparently SWAT is part of the problem:

“This entire episode has been enabled by the constant militarization of the police force.

SWAT teams should be rarer than hen’s teeth. Instead, every Mayberry has given Barney Fife fully automatic rifles, a tear gas grenade launcher, an APC to drive around town, and riot gear to wear as their daily uniform. Oh, and they get a nice PDF on how to use it all, and use it they must (otherwise they lose their budgets!).

This is a recipe for the exact thing these leftists are dreaming of – A full on police state where anyone who goes against them can be bullied into silence or, barring that, murdered.”

Further:

“Instead of trying to figure out whodunnit, why not make SWATting impossible to perform in the first place? Demilitarize the police and this tactic cannot happen. We don’t need our Continue reading →

Posted in SWAT | Tagged , , | 11 Comments

Mantis Knives Stolen In Atlanta

Posted on June 11, 2012 by Randall

While in Atlanta for The BLADE Show this weekend, Mantis Knives’ rental SUV was broken into and 25 pre-production MK-4 Vuja De balisong/karambits were stolen.  The following letter was sent out to Mantis Militia (knife club) members.  Thanks to ThinBlueFlorida reader M@ for forwarding it.

On Friday June 8th, at about 8:15pm, Mantis’ rental car was burglarized outside of a restaurant on West Paces Ferry Road in Atlanta, GA.

The passenger-side rear window of our SUV was busted out and EVERYTHING of value was taken. My backpack that contained a camera with priceless video footage and still shots of our booth, my iPad, and assorted folders with vast amounts of information were stolen… but perhaps what effects you guys most is that the entire lot of MK-4 “Vuja De” Knives were stolen.

To re-affirm: two Atlanta-area criminals have stolen 25 of the pre-production MK-4 “Vuja De” Bali-Song Karambits.The only one that remains with us is the one that I was wearing in my pocket at the time of the burglary.

I’m so sorry to be the bearer of this news. However horrible this is though, the show must go on.

We’re still traveling at the moment and trying to salvage what’s left of our sales trip,so I’m unable to give an exact ETA on when we’ll get back on track, and get these knives into the twenty new owners’ hands… but you know we will do it just as quickly as possible.

We continue to stay as positive as possible in spite of the recent events and we hope you will to.

Mantis needs your help, guys. I’d like to humbly ask each of you to keep an eye out for these knives being stupidly sold on Craigslist or Ebay…we figure that eventually, these thieves will attempt to turn these knives into cash, and I can’t think of a more vigilant force than the one I’m addressing right now.

Help me find these criminals and bring them to justice.  They’ve stolen from all of us.

The only witness described two black men in a forest green, two door, Honda accord with a lame-looking spoiler on it. The license plate had a “G” and a “B” in it, but that’s all that was legible to her at the distance she was standing. Continue reading →

Posted in Knives | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

Hogue/Elishewitz EX-01 Extreme Folder Review

Posted on June 7, 2012 by Randall

Hogue Inc., founded in 1968, is a company best known for quality firearms-related accessories.  Aaron and Patrick Hogue now run the family business.  In 2009, Hogue expanded their product line to include Hogue Knives.  They immediately sought out and brought aboard a legendary knifemaker in Allen Elishewitz.

The collaboration of the Hogues and Elishewitz resulted in the EX Series of Extreme Folders in 2010.  Upon seeing the finished knives, I bought an EX-01 late last year and have been infected with the pride of ownership ever since.

Texan Allen Elishewitz began making knives in 1988.  He has been a Recon Marine, is a martial artist, and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice.  His knife designs are functional, tactical, and artistic.  A tough trio to reconcile.

What immediately struck me about the EX series were the ruggedness and beauty.  The Extreme Folders are “overbuilt,” as Hogue says, incorporating oversized pivot points, stop pins, and button locks.  The 3.5″ blade stock for the EX-01 is .150″.  Thick indeed.  Blades on most 3-4″ folding knives are usually .125″.

The 154CM steel is cryogenically treated and runs in the 57-59 Rockwell hardness range.  To subdue the surface, yet give it an attractive finish, the blades are stone tumbled.  An EX-01 can be selected in either a tanto point or drop point profile.  Either have a false edge up top.

The edge geometry of the EX-01’s flat ground blade is efficient.  I won’t bore you with a list of things I cut or hacked.  Suffice it to say that the knife delivers on its main function as a means to part objects into smaller objects.  Sharpening was easily accomplished on my Spyderco tri-angle sharpener.

The beefy push button lock is backed up by a manual sliding safety that secures the blade in the open position.  The button lock also engages as a detent, holding the blade closed with the proper amount of force to allow a firm push on the ambidextrous thumb studs to open the knife, but give enough mechanical resistance to keep the blade in check when folded.

The handle I chose is Hogue’s green G-Mascus G-10 material.  G-Mascus is Hogue’s Continue reading →

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A K9 Team is Born

Posted on June 5, 2012 by Randall

A new K9 Handler and dog are preparing to hit the street next week.  Their graduation ceremony from K9 school is upon us and I could not be happier for the Unit’s junior member.

It has been two decades since I was in his shoes, but I still remember the excitement and trepidation I had on leaving the known rigors of school for the uncertainty of success on the road.

Because of the nature of the job, the learning curve can be steep and dangerous.  As I write this, I learned of a Palm Beach County K9 Team involved in a shoot-out this morning where a lieutenant and a police dog were hit.  Both had serious but survivable injuries.  The suspect was killed by return fire from the lieutenant and the K9 Handler.  Such is the job for which we volunteer.

Due to our Handler and dog both being “green,” it will take them the better part of the first year before they start functioning as a true team.  This aspect takes patience.  Since dogs learn through repetition and timely praise and correction, it will take many months of copying calls until the dog will begin to understand what is expected of him.

Crucial at my agency is urban tracking.  With nearly our entire city limits paved over in residential and commercial properties, the Handler will have to learn to read his dog in this terrain and motivate him to search for odor.  And do these while minding his own Continue reading →

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Safe Traffic Direction Basics

Posted on June 4, 2012 by Randall

I was at a serious DUI traffic crash the other night.  All of the eastbound lanes of a six-lane state road were impassable.  I was assisting a new officer in maneuvering traffic in a U-turn away from the scene.

The rookie did not have a traffic cone for his small tactical flashlight, nor did he have a whistle on him.  He was obviously not well skilled in traffic direction yet, so I kept an eye on him.  I loaned him my Streamlight Stinger and yellow cone.  I went to my cruiser for a sec to check the computer status screen and see if any priority calls were holding.

That’s when it happened.  The rook’s ambiguous flashlight motions confused a driver.  I looked up in time to see a mini-van move through the median break, pass the officer, and accelerate eastbound into westbound traffic!  The rookie looked at me in shock and shouted, “Uh, can you get that?”  Holy sh*t.

I slammed the car door and flipped on every light my cruiser owned.  Siren wailing on high-low, I floored the CVPI into the wrong lanes, chasing after the wayward driver.  There were no westbound cars for about a quarter mile, but that traffic just got a green light and was headed our way.

Still confused, the driver did not stop as I flew up behind.  I believe he thought I was Continue reading →

Posted in Officer Safety, Street | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

S & S Precision’s Holster Extender

Posted on June 1, 2012 by Randall

S & S Precision is a product development and manufacturing company in Virginia Beach, VA.  I saw this on their show table at SOFIC.  It is a Holster Extender made for Safariland  patterned holsters utilizing the ALS system.  The actual extender is the aluminum-colored plate you see between the tan holster and black belt loop attachment above.

The extender is a simple sliding aluminum base with a large button on the front to let the holster drop into detents at 1.5″ and 3″ below the hip-riding holster position.  The aluminum extender is protected by a special ceramic coating that also subdues the finish.

Continue reading →

Posted in SOFIC, SWAT, Technology | Tagged , , , , | 9 Comments

Alternative Drug Psychosis in Miami?

Posted on May 30, 2012 by Randall

Rudy Eugene

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 a lab with no concern for the safety of its human ingestion, which is the intended purpose.

The incenses, like K2, are classified as Synthetic Cannabinoids (marijuana or THC).  Bath salts are labeled Synthetic Cathinones, which can chemically simulate Ecstasy or cocaine.  Florida has outlawed the production of either substance, but certain chemicals must be present in them for them to be illegal.  Because the “chemists” change their formulations, enforcement is problematic.

In its worst case scenario, partakers of these dangerous drugs hallucinate violently and suffer symptoms of excited delirium.  Body temperature increase and disrobing are seen in Continue reading →

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ArmorWorks New MOLLE Solution

Posted on May 29, 2012 by Randall

ArmorWorks is a Chandler, AZ company that makes high-tech military armor protection.  While they can up-armor your HMMWV or UH-60 Blackhawk, ArmorWorks also makes personal protective rifle plates and accessories for the soldier.

At the SOFIC Show, I met ArmorWorks associate director Alex Gallo.  He showed me some of his company’s latest Modular Plate Carriers, which incorporated an interesting feature:  an alternative to the standard nylon gear mounting system ArmorWorks calls their MOLLE Solution.

Gallo explained that common MOdular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment attachments are rows of nylon or canvas-type material sewn in strips across the garment.  The nylon and stitching has limited durability, as abrasion and the weight of the mounted accessory carriers can cause the MOLLE material to fray and come apart under heavy use.  ArmorWorks went in a whole new direction with their MOLLE Solution.

The face of the MOLLE Solution is covered in a proprietary material that Gallo said is Continue reading →

Posted in SOFIC, SWAT, Technology | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

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 the National Moment of Remembrance, at 3 p.m., I will be taking time to reflect on those who have lost their lives guaranteeing our freedom.

Randall

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EliteK9.com ASAT Collar and Leads

Posted on May 24, 2012 by Randall

Elite K-9 sells all manner of working K9 products.  When I was at SHOT Show earlier in the year, I stopped by their booth and met Jason Ferren.  Elite K-9, manufacturers and sellers of Police and Military K9 gear and training products, introduced the new ASAT collars and leads at the 2012 SHOT Show.

According to Elite K-9, the ASAT leads are “waterproof, mildew-proof, rot-proof,” and have a breaking strength of 750 pounds on the 3/4″ lead.  The lead remains pliable down to -20° F and is not affected by heat up to 300° F.  The ASAT collars share the same characteristics, except their breaking strength is 1500 pounds.

Elite K-9 ASAT Collar

The material in the leads and collars feels firm but comfortable for the dog and operators. I have had to replace many leather goods during my years in the K9 Unit and seeing something like this that simulates the best properties of leather, but is infinitely more durable, made me pleased.

As it happens, the guys in my K9 Unit turned in a supply requisition for some collars, Continue reading →

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Revision Desert Locust Goggles for Riot Control

Posted on May 23, 2012 by Randall

I had an opportunity to speak with Revision Military sales manager Sean Carey at the Special Operations Forces Industry Conference.  I had previously posted an article about their new Batlskin Modular Head Protection.  Our conversation turned to the upcoming Republican National Convention that will descend upon Tampa in August and Revision’s participation.

Sean had a few things to add about his company’s role in crowd control.  He showed us a pair of the Revision Desert Locust Goggles, which he said provide not only ballistic protection, but eye protection against liquids.  Protesters at these large scale events will often try to disrupt police lines and generally antagonize officers by throwing containers of urine, feces, or other putrid liquids.  This is definitely a serious threat to the officers.

The Desert Locust Goggles give a pliable seal around the eyes to prevent their contact with Continue reading →

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Special Operations Forces Industry Conference 2012

Posted on May 22, 2012 by Randall

I just got back from the Special Operations Forces Industry Conference in Tampa, FL.  This was the second year we attended the Exhibit Hall.  There is some cross-over from military operations to police services, especially in the SWAT arena.  Funding for military experimentation often leads to technological developments that trickle down into law enforcement.  While I doubt our TAC van will be sporting a Dillon Aero Titanium Gatling Gun anytime soon, I am always interested in seeing new products for the Warfighter.  You never know when some of these things will be the latest rage for those of us defending the streets.

"I don't think this supply requisition will go through."

I was particularly pleased to speak to a few old hands that are ex-law enforcement and now company reps for defense firms and manufacturing interests.  It seems these retired officers are lending their practical input into the creative mix.

I had one discussion with an LEO veteran who was now with an equipment designer.  The talk waxed nostalgic about how our SWAT teams all looked like British 22nd SAS in the late 1980’s with us “kitted out” in Basic Black:  balaclavas, jumpsuits, flapped holsters for 9mm pistols, and Heckler and Koch MP-5’s.  Things certainly have changed.

I saw a few interesting products that I’ll post articles about in the coming days…

Randall

Posted in Officer Safety, SOFIC, SWAT, Technology | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Flying With Your Firearm

Posted on May 21, 2012 by Randall

For the last several years I have been traveling by domestic airline with a handgun declared in my checked baggage.  I initially thought the process would be a hassle, but I discovered that it is not as difficult as I had anticipated.  As a certified law enforcement officer, you should always have access to a firearm.

Your authority to carry a concealed firearm as a “qualified law enforcement officer” or “qualified retired law enforcement officer” in any jurisdiction in the United States of America is granted via the Law Enforcement Officers’ Safety Act or LEOSA.  Click on the link if you are not thoroughly versed in its regulations, which you need to be.

First off, consult the Transportation Security Administration’s regulations and those of your individual air carrier.  This is easy to do on the Internet.  You’ll see that a locked hard-sided container for the unloaded handgun is a must.  This container cannot be easily pulled open to allow access the gun.  Many manufacturer’s plastic gun cases will not pass the prying test.  I have a GunVault NanoVault 200, which cost me under $35.00. It is a small metal safe with a cable that secures it to the frame of my suitcase.

Next, ammunition must be stored in a cardboard, wood, or metal container or in one specifically designed  for ammunition.  Since I travel frequently with my Smith & Wesson 442 or M&P340, I take a 20 round factory box of .38 cal. Speer Gold Dot Hollowpoints in the Short Barrel 135 grain +P load.  This box will fit with the gun in the NanoVault, if necessary.

Bullets may not be stored in pistol magazines unless the magazines have a cap or device to fully enclose the rounds.  Unloaded magazines are best stored with the gun in the safe.  The NanoVault 200 is large enough to hold my Glock 23 and two magazines.

Now, about checking-in at the airport.  Give yourself at least an extra 20 minutes prior to your usual arrival time.  At the airline baggage counter (no curbside check-ins with a firearm), tell the ticket agent you are declaring an unloaded firearm in your checked luggage.  Normally, they won’t bat an eye and will have you sign a declaration form to be Continue reading →

Posted in Concealed Carry, Off Duty, Officer Safety | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Update to the Rookie

Posted on May 18, 2012 by Randall

Photo: NBC

A few months ago, I wrote about a rookie cop on our squad who was undergoing the trial-by-fire that can be Midnight Shift. The final four days of his one year probationary period were last week. On the fourth night, he seemed a little overwhelmed. Our business was heavy and the manpower was short.

The New Guy went call to call for the whole ten hours and into OT without a break or meal. I ended up on most of his dispatches. Early on, he assisted with arresting the suspect at a bar fight. He came back in service from that to handle a domestic battery in one of our plentiful trailer parks. A seriously intox male had bitten his girlfriend in the face. Unfortunately ho-hum for the mobile homes.

“Is your name Timmy or Timothy?” asked New Guy. The drunk replied, “Timmy…” And slowly added, “…theee.” The suspect was so under the influence, he just stood there swaying, eyes closed, making little crab-claw motions with his hands. He admitted to biting his Beloved, who now sported fresh teeth marks. New Guy and I threw Timmy-theee in handcuffs. This was just the rookie’s second report of the night.

New Guy got started on the paper until the wagon arrived to transport the biter to County Jail, but more calls were holding and rookie had to go en route to the next scene. After a few back-ups, perimeters, and one additional police report taken, New Guy hit the jackpot Continue reading →

Posted in Humor, Street | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Kubotan–Simple Self Defense

Posted on May 16, 2012 by Randall

The Kubotan was invented by former Japanese police officer and martial arts instructor Takayuki Kubota.  In the late 1970’s, Kubota was teaching self-defense to officers of the Los Angeles Police Department when he developed this pocket stick as an aid to empty-hand suspect control.

Photo of Kubota by Shihan Rod Kuratomi

The Kubotan, a registered trademark of Kubota, added a tool for officers to use in manipulating pressure points, applying joint locks, and effecting strikes.  Past generations of policemen carried the Kubotan as a key ring from their belts and pockets.

The original Kubotan was a lexan rod, which measured 5 ½” long by 5/8” in diameter.  It had a key ring affixed to one end.  “Kubotan” was taken from the words Kubota and baton.

This simple less lethal weapon is not often seen these days.  Trends toward the stand-off Continue reading →

Posted in Defensive Tactics, Officer Safety, Street | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments