Florida Forms Police Crash Task Force—For No Good Reason

Posted on March 10, 2012 by Randall

A State Task Force has been empaneled to study police vehicle crashes.  The Governor’s Office has appointed Florida Highway Patrol Director Col. David Brierton Jr., Sarasota County Sheriff Tom Knight, and Winter Park Police Chief Brett Railey to study law enforcement training, agency policies, and crash data.  I do not see why.

The Orlando Sentinel boasts the State Task Force was formed based upon the newspaper’s series of articles about police crashes and public safety. Sentinel reporters studied crash statistics from 2006 to 2010 and tallied an average of 7,400 police car crashes per year, causing 2,400 injuries, 20 deaths, and $25 million in property damage.

One Sentinel article states, “About 7,400 crashes a year involve cops.  In one out of every four, they’re at least partially to blame, and they seldom are ticketed, the data revealed.  In fact, though average drivers receive citations if they are at fault in crashes more than 64 percent of the time, officers are cited less than 11 percent of the time.”

Let’s look dispassionately at The Orlando Sentinel’s numbers.  For the five-year period, 1.6 million Florida crashes were studied.  Using The Sentinel’s calculations, the overall number of police crashes in those five years comes to 37,000.  That is just 2 percent of crashes statewide.

Further, The Sentinel said that the police are “at least partially to blame” in one out of four law enforcement crashes.  Since that would be only 9,250 of 1.6 million, the number of Continue reading →

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Tactical Combat Casualty Care Training for Police Officers

Posted on March 8, 2012 by Randall

(photo credit: National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians)

Last week, I attended my department’s annual forty-hour In-Service training block.  The final day had instruction to which I had not been exposed in many years of police work:  an introduction to Tactical Combat Casualty Care.

What has always been in the trunk of the cop car?  A first aid kit.  What was it useful for?  Not much really.  Antiseptic, band-aids, and some Ibuprofen are far from helpful in a real live trauma emergency when rounds may be flying.

The concept of TCCC (Tee-Triple-Cee) began with a 1996 paper that was published in Military Medicine.  U.S. Special Operations Command ran with the ideas and methods and slowly began implementing TCCC in its units.  It is now standard training in all branches of the Armed Forces.  The goals of TCCC are 1) treat the casualty, 2) prevent additional casualties, and 3) complete the mission.

Our baby steps into TCCC were taught by two of our fire-rescue department’s paramedics, both of whom happen to be long-standing SWAT medics for our Tactical Team.  Since medical runs are the bread and butter of most fire departments these days, our medics have a tremendous amount of practical experience treating the injured.

The course of instruction was split into five hours of classroom and five hours of scenario-based training.  I appreciated that the medics began with an overall look at diet and health for the officers, touching on such things as stress and heart disease.  There was also a CPR and AED refresher.

TCCC has three stages:  Care Under Fire, Tactical Field Care, and Combat Casualty Evacuation Care.  As a police officer or deputy sheriff on the street, we need to be concerned with Care Under Fire.  The latter two stages will be dealt with when medics Continue reading →

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New Benchmade 176BK SOCP Knife Review

Posted on March 6, 2012 by Randall

U.S. Military Special Operations Forces operators needed a purpose-designed knife for urban close quarters battle, based on their experiences with house-to-house fighting in the Sandbox.  Special Forces Combatives Program (SOCP) developer Greg Thompson made it happen.

Thompson, a trainer of SF soldiers for over 12 years and Director of Training for the XVIII Airborne Corps in Ft. Bragg, NC, collaborated with the Benchmade Knife Company, Inc. to produce what he felt was the solution to an edgy problem.

The Benchmade 176BK SOCP dagger is made for low profile carry, ease of accessibility on a combat load-out, and pure function in CQB.  Sounds like something useful to domestic SWAT operators and street officers, as well.

Unique to this double-edged, skeletonized dagger is the “finger loop” or ring at the end of the handle.  It allows for a quick draw of the knife, but gives it low visibility, as the ring is the only part of the handle to protrude from the thin injection molded sheath.

With an overall knife length of 7.25”, the bladed portion takes up 3.22” of the 440C steel. Of this, only about 1.37” of the blade is actually sharpened.  That is not a concern because Continue reading →

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Brevard County Sheriff’s Deputy Shot to Death

Posted on March 6, 2012 by Randall

Deputy Barbara Pill, photo courtesy BCSO

Brevard County Sheriff’s Deputy Barbara Pill was shot and killed in the line of duty on March 6, 2012.  According to Brevard Sheriff Jack Parker, Pill stopped two theft suspects on a traffic stop in Melbourne.  She ordered them out of their vehicle, but they did not comply.  She had requested back-up and was making a radio transmission, when she was fatally shot.

Suspects Brandon Lee Bradley and Andria Michelle Kerchner fled in their SUV, but were captured several miles from the shooting.

Deputy Pill had previously worked for the Miami-Dade Police Department.  She was 52 years old and a grandmother.  Pill had over 30 years of law enforcement experience, including 10 years as a deputy sheriff in Brevard County.  She has a son who is a Melbourne Village police officer and a son who is a Brevard County sheriff’s deputy.

Brandon Bradley

Bradley had four warrants for his arrest and a criminal history that included aggravated assault, kidnapping, and narcotics violations.  Kerchner also had previous criminal charges and a warrant for her arrest

The Econo-Lodge manager at 4455 West New Haven Ave in Melbourne called 911 to report that guests in one of his rooms were stealing furniture.  He said they were leaving in a white Ford Explorer.

Deputy Pill initiated a traffic stop on the suspect vehicle at John Rodes Blvd and Silver Heron Drive.  Pill was shot at that location.  Bradley and Kerchner left that shooting scene in the white Explorer, but it was later spotted in the area of the 4000 Block of Carolwood Drive.  Multiple law enforcement agencies converged on the area.

It was reported that police used spike strips and the SUV rolled into a ditch on Turtle Mound Road and Parkway Drive.  Tear gas was introduced into the vehicle and deputies and officers approached with shields and long guns.  The pair surrendered and were taken into custody.

Bradley was charged with first degree murder, felon in possession of a firearm, armed robbery, and FTA warrants for felon in possession of a firearm, sales and possession of cocaine, carrying a concealed firearm, and resisting arrest.  He also has multiple felony probation violations.  Kerchner was charged with first degree murder, armed robbery, and a warrant for sales of a controlled substance.

Funeral services for Brevard County Deputy Barbara Pill will take place Tuesday March 13, 2012 at 10 a.m. at the Calvary Chapel, located at 2955 Minton Road in West Melbourne, FL.

Randall

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Proposed Indiana Castle Doctrine Allows for Killing Police Officers

Posted on March 4, 2012 by Randall

Updated 3/23/2012:  It was signed into law by Gov. Daniels.

Updated 3/9/2012:  SB 1 was passed by the Senate and the House and will be sent to Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels.  See the end of the article for further.

If you have not been following the legal machinations in the State of Indiana over Castle Doctrine, you need to read the appalling proposed “legislation” that is Indiana Senate Bill 1 (SB 1) 2012.  This bill passed the Indiana House 74-24 in a vote last week and was returned to the Indiana Senate with amendments.

Sections (h)(i),(j), SB-1 from the Indiana General Assembly:

(h) A person is justified in using reasonable force against any law enforcement officer if the person reasonably believes the force is necessary to:
(1) protect the person or a third person from what the person reasonably believes to be the imminent use of unlawful force;
(2) prevent or terminate the law enforcement officer’s unlawful entry of or attack on the person’s dwelling, curtilage, or occupied motor vehicle; or
(3) prevent or terminate the law enforcement officer’s unlawful trespass on or criminal interference with property lawfully in the person’s possession, lawfully in possession of a member of the person’s immediate family, or belonging to a person whose property the person has authority to protect. Continue reading →

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Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Police Training

Posted on March 2, 2012 by Randall

We sometimes focus too much on technology and equipment in the law enforcement profession.  Real officer safety starts in the brain.

In the wake of a critical incident earlier last year, my department decided to send a group of officers to Crisis Intervention Team training.  In a nutshell, the forty-hour CIT training block provides a unique insight into mental illness and how law enforcement can more effectively deal with those in crisis.

After taking the CIT course, I can attest to its resolute commitment to officer safety.  From the outset, the instructors stressed that officer safety is of primary importance in dealing with mentally ill persons, and this course was not designed to in any way to alter their currently accepted street survival practices.  This I liked.

A caveat to CIT is that you get out what you put in.  This type of training is intended for those who volunteer for the program.  Volunteer.  If you are mandated to take this course Continue reading →

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Hazard4 Launch-Pad Carrier for IPad Review

Posted on March 1, 2012 by Randall

I think it may appear that I have a nylon fetish.  No, not that one.  I’m talking about ballistic nylon, found in gear bags, backpacks, equipment pouches, accessory holders, and gun holsters.  Last year, I cracked open my black nylon tri-fold badge wallet and bought an IPad2, which now needed something nylon-y to put it in.

I have so many black nylon pouches in my black nylon gear bag that I can’t find anything in the dark.  Thusly I thought I should get an IPad carrier of a different color.  I picked out a coyote tan Launch-Pad case from Hazard4.

Hazard4 is an offspring of Civilian Lab, LLC, that designs outdoor adventure, extreme sport, and travel gear.  Hazard4 stands for surviving the top disaster threat level, standard hazard classification four, be it natural or man-made.

The Launch-Pad is a nylon slip carrier that fits an IPad or IPad2, even one in a thin case.  Ruggedly sewn, the flapped pouch has two large hook and loop pads and a removable Continue reading →

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Update to LAPD Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 380 Review

Posted on February 27, 2012 by Randall

Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 380I wrote a review for BlueSheepdog.com of the new LAPD-approved Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 380 pistol in September of last year.  I thought I would give you an update as to my continuing experience with the gun.

This being Florida, I would say that firearm choices for concealed carry are sometimes dictated by the hot weather clothing.  For many of us, it is difficult to conceal even a medium-sized pistol or revolver when the temperatures soar into the high 90’s with the oppressive humidity.  Shorts and a t-shirt only help with the heat a little.

The Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 380, which was officially approved for on duty back-up and off-duty carry by the Los Angeles Police Department, has been a good concealed carry weapon for me here in the “Tropical” South.

Though its length, height, thickness, and weight are slightly greater than my Kel-Tec P3AT, the added features of the Bodyguard 380 make it worth toting the smidgen in increased size.  The hammer-fired second strike capability, adjustable sights, loaded chamber indicator, slide stop lever, and slide lock after-the-last-round all contribute to the Bodyguard 380’s defensive usefulness.

Continue reading →

Posted in Concealed Carry, Firearms, Off Duty | Tagged , , , , , | 106 Comments

Miami SWAT Officer Cleared in Shooting; State Attorney Questions Policy

Posted on February 24, 2012 by Randall

It was New Year’s Eve 2011 and Ofc. Maurice Sodre was part of a mobile nine-man Miami Police Department SWAT team detailed to assist MPD road units with shots fired calls or other emergencies based upon the holiday.

At approximately 0145 hrs on 1/1/2011, the detail, driving in two black unmarked Ford Excursion SUV’s, responded to the area of 1st Place and 15 Street in Overtown for a report of shots fired.  As they approached the area, the officers saw four males at the intersection, one of whom began to walk, and then run, northbound.

The male, Lynn Weatherspoon, was ordered to stop by several of the responding SWAT members.  One of the officers saw Weatherspoon fumbling at his waistband, one saw him drop something and try to retrieve it, and another officer saw Weatherspoon drop a handgun on the ground and attempt to pick it up.  This was despite several officers telling him to stop and announcing, “Police!” multiple times.

Fearing for his safety and that of his partners, Ofc. Sodre fired nine rounds from his Rock Continue reading →

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Supreme Court: Miranda Not Required for Prisoners

Posted on February 22, 2012 by Randall

On 2/21/2012, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled in the case of Howes, Warden vs. Fields, No. 10-680.  This case addresses the issue of police questioning of a prisoner without giving Miranda Warnings.  The High Court held that Miranda protections do not apply to prisoners, as long as certain circumstances are present.

What is interesting about the majority opinion, written by Justice Samuel J. Alito, and joined by Justices Roberts, Scalia, Kennedy, Thomas, and Kagans, is the reasoning the Court used in overturning the U.S. Court of Appeals Sixth Circuit assertion that the interview of prisoner Randall Fields by sheriff’s deputies was a custodial interrogation.

Although it is lengthy, instead of paraphrasing the ruling, I thought I would print three of what I think are the key passages in the syllabus of the Supreme Court’s decision:

“The initial step in determining whether a person is in Miranda custody is to ascertain, given ‘all of the circumstances surrounding the interrogation,’ how a suspect would have gauged his freedom of movement.  Stansbury v. California, 511 U. S. 318, 322, 325.  However, not all restraints on freedom of movement amount to Miranda custody. See, e.g., Berkemer v. Continue reading →

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Ofc. David Crawford Murdered A Year Ago Today

Posted on February 21, 2012 by Randall

One year ago today, St. Petersburg Police Ofc. David S. Crawford was murdered in the line of duty by Nicholas Lindsey.  St. Petersburg Police was still reeling from the murders of Sgt. Tom Baitinger and K9 Ofc. Jeffrey Yaslowitz, less than a month earlier.

To say our local law enforcement community was crushed would be a severe understatement.  Many of the officers and deputies involved in the manhunt for Lindsey were also involved in the response and investigation of the previous officers’ killings.

My department had a large class of rookies in field training.  I guess it didn’t hurt for the sober realities of this profession to hit them early.  We did not know it then, but this was just the start of a violent year for police nationwide.  A total of 71 officers would lose their lives to gunfire, a 20% increase over 2010.

Ofc. David Crawford

I have little fondness for the accuracy or restrain of the mainstream news media, but there is a story in the Tampa Bay Times, formerly the St. Petersburg Times, that talks about Ofc. Crawford’s squad mates:  The Black Sheep.  I think it captures some of the essence of Midnight Shift and the officers who work it.

I took my dogs to the vet today.  One of the ladies working at the clinic was wearing a David Crawford commemorative shirt like the image above.  It was nice to see others remembering…

Randall

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What Do You Carry In Your SWAT Gear?

Posted on February 20, 2012 by Randall

I was rummaging through my very old SWAT ballistic vest the other day in the garage.  Some odds and ends in the main MOLLE pouch included:

A Gerber Multi-Plier, Benchmade A.F.O. autofolder, two AR-15 mags, two Sig .40 cal. mags, flex cuffs, Streamlight Stinger, two spare TASER cartridges, ballistic glasses, ear protection, Nomex gloves, Nomex balaclava, latex gloves, window punch/seat belt cutter, lensatic compass, AA Mini-Maglite with red lens, notepad and pen, about 50′ of black paracord, spare flashbang pin, chalk, and a black Sharpie marker.

Most of this gear, or older stuff just like it, had been my standard load-out for over twenty years of tactical operations.  Though I technically retired from the Team a couple of years ago, I am still the team coordinator and an advisor, so I still have my gear.  Looking back at my equipment, there are things that are missing. Continue reading →

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Clay County Deputy is First Florida Officer Killed in 2012

Posted on February 18, 2012 by Randall

Clay County Sheriff’s Detective David White was shot and killed Thursday during the investigation of a methamphetamine lab at a residence in Middleburg, FL.  Detective Matt Hanlin was wounded by gunfire in the same raid.  He is in serious but stable condition.

Det. David White--Clay County Sheriff's Office

Detectives went to the single family dwelling in the 4800 Block of Alligator Boulevard on a tip of a meth lab.  The house was vacant, had a power cord running to it from a neighboring house, and was believed to be occupied by squatters.  The homeowner, Terrance Smith, gave deputies permission to go and enter the house.

Nine deputies arrived at the house.  White and Hanlin were at the front door.  After deputies knocked at the door, suspect Ted Arthur Tilley, answered the door, but slammed it on them.  As the deputies attempted entry, Tilley apparently shot several rounds through the door, striking White in the head and Hanlin in the arm.  Tilley was subsequently killed by deputies as he exited the rear of the residence, gun in hand.

Clay County Sheriff Rick Beseler said the deputies were wearing protective gear and followed procedure.  It was widely reported that the deputies were serving a search warrant, but no warrant was needed as they had the property owner’s permission to gain entry.

2011 was a terrible year for Florida law enforcement.  We led the nation in police fatalities for state/federal/territories with 14.  I hope 2012 will see fewer officers killed and injured.

An Army veteran, Det. White was 35 years old and leaves behind a wife and two small children.  He was a deputy sheriff in Clay County for nine years.

Funeral services for Det. White will be Monday, 2/20/2012, at 1000 am at the First Baptist Church of Middleburg, FL at 2645 Blanding Blvd.

Randall

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New SRM Arms Model 1216 Shotgun Shipping

Posted on February 17, 2012 by Randall

The new SRM Arms model 1216 12 gauge shotgun is shipping.  GSA Direct’s Sam Hoge sent me this video of the SRM in action.  The SRM 1216 is a totally new design with features not found on any other scattergun.

I was able to handle a 1216 on the SHOT Show floor last month.  The toggle for rotating the magazine is large and easy to use.  This shows in the video, as you can see how fast the “drum” is turned to access each successive tube of ammo.  It would warm my heart to have all these shotshells on tap in a critical incident.

According to SRM Arms, the 1216 design features include:

  • Ergonomic compact design along with the flexibility of a detachable magazine provides unsurpassed firepower and tactical advantages.
  • A detachable, high capacity magazine holding 8, 12 or 16 rounds of either 2 3/4 or 3″ shotshells
  • Roller delayed action provides fast cycling and reduced felt recoil. Continue reading →
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Review of the New Kahr Arms CM40

Posted on February 14, 2012 by Randall

I had the pleasure to shoot the new Kahr Arms CM40 at SHOT Show 2012 Media Day at the Range.  The CM40 is the .40 cal. version of Kahr’s sub-compact polymer framed pistol.  At an MSRP of $517.00, the CM40’s price point is over $250.00 less than a comparable Kahr PM40.  I think the new gun is a winner for powerful concealed carry.

Kahr’s new CM series differs from the PM series in that the barrel on the CM has conventional rifling and not the match grade polygonal rifled barrel of a PM.  In addition, to save on cost the CM series has simple engraving on the slide, a pinned polymer front sight, a metal injection molded slide stop lever, fewer cosmetic machining operations to the slide, and ships with a single six round magazine.

Functionally, the CM40 is the same as its more expensive brother.  None of the value conscious changes alters the pistol’s outstanding capabilities as a police back-up or Continue reading →

Posted in Concealed Carry, Firearms, Off Duty, SHOT Show | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments