Federal Agents to Begin Recording Suspect Interviews

Posted on May 23, 2014 by Randall

FBI sealThe Justice Department has issued a policy change that will direct federal agents from the FBI, DEA, BATFE, and the U.S. Marshals Service to begin electronically recording suspect interviews. Welcome to the 1980’s, G-Men!  Seriously, this will be an important credibility boost for the Feds.

One of my cyber-crimes detectives was recently on the stand in a federal trial.  As a task force agent, he was questioned on cross-examination about his lack of a recorded suspect interview.  In the gallery, I squirmed when the savvy defense lawyer pointedly asked him, “In your capacity as a local law enforcement officer, isn’t it true that you would have taped your interrogation of my client?”  “Yes.”  “So we can’t really hear exactly what my client said because federal rules prevented it.”  Ruh-roh.

The Justice Department policy change will take effect in July.  Although I wholeheartedly applaud the new directive, I am still scratching my head was to why this was not done…I don’t know…several decades ago.

Randall

Posted in Legal | 3 Comments

Introducing the iStab

Posted on May 18, 2014 by Randall

iStabOh, boy.

“The iStab is a 3D printed iPhone cover which has a folding knife along one edge, producing a blade whenever you might need one. This phone case is “cutting edge”, and is designed as an exploration in conceptual 3D printed weapons.”
The models I based this idea from are free, and the programs needed edit the 3D files are also free: Netfabb and MeshMixer.”

“The iStab is a great way to keep a cutting implement on hand at all times. This can be used as a weapon for self-defense for the next time you’re in a knife-fight like Michael Jackson in Beat It, or harmlessly used for everyday actions like opening packaging or cutting items to size. Forget highly-contentious 3D printed firearms and flimsy iPhone knuckle dusters, the iStab has you covered for all your cutting needs.”

“Blades such as the one shown in this project are considered weapons by law enforcement. This project is provided for educational use only and should not be replicated.”

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Thank goodness it is flimsy.

Randall

Posted in Humor, Knives, Officer Safety | Leave a comment

R.A.T.S. Tourniquet

Posted on May 15, 2014 by Randall

The Rapid Application Tourniquet System (R.A.T.S.) is another style of extremity hemorrhage control marketed to soldiers and police officers.  It consists of a 1/2″ flat bungee cord and aluminum cleat.  The instructions below are pretty self explanatory.

tourniquetinstructions Continue reading →

Posted in Medical, Officer Safety, Street | 1 Comment

RF Safe-Stop System to End Vehicle Pursuits?

Posted on May 12, 2014 by Randall

RF Safe-Stop Systeme2v technologies is a British company which is diversified into the defense, space, medical, industrial, civil aeronautics, and security industries.  They have a multitude of products that revolve around hi-reliability semi-conductors, lasers, radars, and the like.  In their security and rescue division is the RF Safe-Stop System.

The system uses a proprietary radio frequency emission to “confuse” the electronics of a car or ship thus bringing it to a halt.  e2v says they have tested the RF Safe-Stop in low speed applications.  Further testing is in the works.  A prototype RF Safe-Stop is shown below  in the bed of a pickup. Continue reading →

Posted in Technology | Leave a comment

Absurd Police Foot Pursuits

Posted on May 9, 2014 by Randall

Lowa Boots, LLC, the German footwear maker, has a new line of tactical boots for the service professional.  The promotional video is a dramatized police foot pursuit.  I do not remember using parkour in any chase I was ever in.

I do remember being in an absurd foot pursuit when I was a rookie on Midnight Shift.  It was like the chase scene from the movie Raising Arizona with dogs and houses and slo-mo’s of weird things passing by in the periphery.  We interrupted a residential burglar and he took off between the houses.

Young and spry, I accelerated into the darkness to catch him.  It was not the nicest part of town and each property was largely unkempt.  I jumped over a whole yard full of Little Tikes plastic toys, makeshift furniture, several fences, a red wagon, and I think a cat. Continue reading →

Posted in Humor, Street | Leave a comment

L.A.P.D. Approves Shellback Plate Carrier

Posted on May 5, 2014 by Randall

aggressorplatecarriershellbacktacticallapdapprovedShellback Tactical has announced that its Made in USA AGGRESSOR plate carrier in black has been approved for duty use by the Los Angeles Police Department.  The MSRP for the AGGRESSOR is $179.99.  The pouches and mags not included.

Randall

 

NOW – L.A.P.D. (Los Angeles Police Department) Approved
The AGGRESSOR Plate Carrier is integrated with several features. The AGGRESSOR Carrier challenges the status quo in Law Enforcement plate carriers. This carrier was designed from the ground up with the patrol officer or tactical operator in mind. Ideal to be worn as an outer plate carrier/ tactical vest with rifle hard armor plates. The carrier has integrated front and back interior adjustable plate pockets that accept Level 3 and 4 10×12 shooters cut (clipped corner) plates and 10×12 Rectangle Plates. Used by many patrol officers as a daily duty outer vest carrier. The AGGRESSOR gives you more comfort as a plate carrier and a larger area to accept molle pouches. The AGGRESSOR also has an integrated heavy duty drag handle. The AGGRESSOR will Accept our GROIN Protector Armor, Deltoid Protector Armor and Collar Protector Armor all Level IIIA. The Shoulder Pad Accessory will also fit the AGGRESSOR but was not specifically made for them. If you need added comfort from loads like plates this is a great accessory. This Carrier is loaded. Pouches in pictures not included, and for example purposes only.

Continue reading →

Posted in Protective Armor | Tagged | Leave a comment

Florida Trooper Killed in Crash

Posted on May 3, 2014 by Randall

Trooper Chelsea RichardFlorida Highway Patrol Trooper Chelsea Richard lost her life in the line of duty today when she was struck by a driver on I-75 in Marion County.

While investigating a crash, a second multiple vehicle crash occurred and a pickup truck swerved into the trooper, a tow truck driver, and a bystander.  Trooper Richard and the tow truck driver were killed at the scene.  The third injured person was transported to the hospital in critical condition, where he later died.

Trooper Richard, 30, was a nine year FHP veteran.  She is survived by her four year old son.  The crash is under investigation.  Services for the fallen trooper will be announced by the FHP.

It has been a hard week for law enforcement with Trooper Richard’s death, two Alaska State Troopers gunned down, and an LAPD officer killed.  Please be safe out there.

Randall

Posted in Officer Down | 1 Comment

Exoskel Climbers and Shin Guards

Posted on April 28, 2014 by Randall

Exoskel Group is a Made in the USA company producing a special shin guard that doubles as a stability and climbing aid.  The teeth, buckles, and stirrup design are tested to hold up to 1,000 pounds of weight.  Exoskel lists the following product advantages to a military or police operator:

  • RAPIDLY ASCEND urban obstacles
  • STABILIZER : firing / brace position on uneven ground
  • Shin PROTECTOR
  • Close Quarter BATTLE TOOL
  • Perpetrator RESTRAINT
  • Injury PREVENTION

Exoskel Continue reading →

Posted in SWAT | Leave a comment

U. S. Supreme Court Addresses Anonymous Tips

Posted on April 25, 2014 by Randall

SupremeCourtBuildingThis week, the United States Supreme Court decided upon the validity of an anonymous tip precipitating a vehicle stop.  Prado Navarette v. California was a 2008 case which involved an anonymous tipster calling in a 911 complaint to the California Highway Patrol of a pickup truck that had run her off of the road.  CHP officers pulled over a truck matching the vehicle’s description and subsequently arrested the occupants for possessing 30 pounds of marijuana in the truck’s bed.

In a 5-4 decision, the majority opinion concluded that an anonymous tip can constitute reasonable suspicion for police to effect an investigative traffic stop under the Fourth Amendment.  Citing United States v. Cortez, the Court’s opinion, written by Justice Clarence Thomas, upheld that the Fourth Amendment permits brief investigative stops when the officer has “a particularized and objective basis for suspecting the particular person stopped of criminal activity.”

The Court held that the tip in Prado Narvarette was corroborated by the officers observing a similarly described silver Ford F150 pickup southbound on Highway 1 in the immediate area at the time the tipster gave.  Further, the Court asserted that the 911 caller’s “eyewitness knowledge of the alleged dangerous driving” lends “significant support to the tip’s Continue reading →

Posted in Legal, Street | Tagged | Leave a comment

Florida is First in Bitcoin Money Laundering Arrests

Posted on April 11, 2014 by Randall

bitcoin-logo

The Miami-Dade State Attorney is the first local prosecutor’s office in the United States to charge suspects with money laundering related to the transfer of Bitcoins for illicit purposes.  Mitchell Abner Espinoz and Pascal Reid were arrested for providing unlicensed money services (FSS 560.125) and for violating Florida’s Money Laundering Act (FSS 896.101).

For the uninitiated, Bitcoins are virtual currency used for online trading of goods and services.  The trading is done peer-to-peer and can be anonymous.  It is the anonymity and lack of government oversight that have made Bitcoin popular for drug dealers and money launderers.  A Bitcoin tutorial video is posted below.

Espinoza was a trader of Bitcoins using localbitcoins.com.  He was approached by an undercover agent of the U.S. Secret Service Electronic Crimes Task Force, working in conjunction with the Miami Beach Police Department and Miami-Dade SAO, who told Espinoza that the agent was going to use $30,000 in Bitcoins to buy stolen credit cards.  Espinoza agreed to the transfer and was arrested. Continue reading →

Posted in Detectives, Legal | Tagged | 2 Comments

The Future of Police Narcotics Dogs and Marijuana

Posted on April 6, 2014 by Randall

Drug Search 1Supporters of legalized medical marijuana will have their opportunity in November to let the voters decide on whether medical marijuana will be available to patients.  The controversial ballot initiative was approved by the Florida Supreme Court.  Four legislative bills have been introduced which deal with defining, authorizing, and regulating medicinal cannabis and its infrastructure.  How will all of this affect law enforcement?  Not much…for now.

Most recently, though, in Colorado and Washington State, decriminalization of recreational marijuana has changed the way police narcotics detector dogs go about their business.  The obvious issue is whether a narcotics dog’s alert still constitutes probable cause to perform a warrantless search of a vehicle or to obtain a search warrant.  Since the dog cannot tell his handler if he is alerting to a small amount of legal marijuana or some other illicit drug, in these states, the legality of sniffs and searches with dogs cross-trained in marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin have come into question.

The answer for the Washington State Patrol is to replace existing narcotics Continue reading →

Posted in K9, Legal | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

New Diamondback Firearms DB FS Nine Pistol

Posted on March 26, 2014 by Randall

imageBack at the 2012 SHOT Show, I got to interview Diamondback Firearms founder and CEO Brad Thomas.  I had been examining a prototype for the DB RTS tactical shotgun (that was eventually displaced in their line-up by the DB15 AR-15-style rifle).  During our conversation, Mr. Thomas told me about their plans to develop a full-sized pistol.  We are finally getting a look at it.

The new DB pistol is a striker-fired 15+1 handgun chambered in 9mm.  In dimensions, it is roughly equivalent to a Glock 17 pistol.  DB FS Nine’s take down levers and its trigger safety are visually similar to the Austrian maker’s gun.  From Diamondback’s website:

“This new 9mm pistol is a double-action, striker-fire designed platform that incorporates an ergonomically driven polymer double stack frame with a stainless steel slide. With extensive research on the form and function of the tactile-enhanced grip, the operator will find the design enhances control, while providing consistent hand placement. The flared magwell aids in fast and reliable reloads while the extended Continue reading →

Posted in Firearms, Off Duty | Tagged | 3 Comments

Windermere Police Officer Killed in the Line of Duty

Posted on March 22, 2014 by Randall

Windemere Ofc. Robert GermanWindermere Police Officer Robert German was murdered at 4 a.m. today while on a suspicious persons stop.  He was apparently shot to death by two subjects he had stopped walking on Conroy-Windermere Road and Horizon Circle in Orange County.

After Ofc. German radioed for assistance, several Orange County deputies, an Orlando officer, and an Ocoee officer found Ofc. German wounded at the scene.  Deputies and officers heard more shots fired in the area and they used a police car as cover while they moved Ofc. German to waiting OCFRD paramedics.  Ofc. German was pronounced dead at Orlando Regional Medical Center.

A male suspect and female suspect ran about a block from the original stop and were found by search teams.  They had both committed suicide by gunshot, according to Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings.  Ofc. German’s murder occurred a mile from where OCSO Deputy Jonathan Scott Pine was killed in February of this year.

Born in Burlinton, Ontario, Canada, Ofc. German, 31, was raised in Central Florida.  He joined the fourteen officer Windermere Police Department five years ago and is the first officer killed in the line of duty at that department.  Funeral arrangements will be announced by WPD.

Prayers to Ofc. German’s family.  Please stay safe and have each others’ backs, Brothers and Sisters.

Randall

Posted in Officer Down | Leave a comment

New KA-BAR TDI Hinderance and Hell Fire Knives

Posted on March 22, 2014 by Randall

KA-BAR Hinerance TDII feel kind of vindicated.  I wrote an article about the original KA-BAR TDI Law Enforcement Knife a while back that essentially said, “Like the knife, hate the sheath.”  And I got hammered for it on a few forums.  To be fair, my article was titled, “KA-BAR TDI Knife Review: Unsafe for Duty,” so I guess I started it.

But that is in the past since the updated knives have a hard plastic sheath with a sliding thumb lock to keep the blade under your control.  Well, KA-BAR has finally addressed what I thought was the shortcoming and officer safety issue.

In the avalanche of booths at SHOT Show 2014, I apparently missed KA-BAR’s knives and my opportunity to check out the two new TDI rigs, which are collaborations with custom knifemaker Rick Hinderer and Tactical Defense Institute (TDI) President John Benner.

Mr. Hinderer designed two different blade shapes for the TDI.  The Hinderance model is a Wharncliffe, while the Hell Fire is a modified Continue reading →

Posted in Knives, Officer Safety | Tagged , | 7 Comments

TASER-proof Clothing Project

Posted on March 9, 2014 by Randall

imageHackaday.com has webbed up a “TASER-proof” clothing project.  The suggested mod is to use carbon-fiber strips in garments to make them “100% taserproof.”  By inserting iron-on CF tape strips between layers of cloth, the space-aged material will allegedly conduct electrical energy from a TASER or stun gun away from the clothing’s wearer and into the  CF strips to be dispersed without result.  Skin penetration by the probes is supposedly rendered ineffective as well.

image Gee, it is too bad that modern law enforcement officers do not train to transition to other less lethal options when their CEW’s are ineffective.  Oh, wait a minute…  We do!  This geek-inspired Hackaday Internet invention is a great reminder for all sworn officers that when something is not working on a suspect, then we immediately transition to Continue reading →

Posted in Officer Safety, Tactics, Taser, Technology | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments