http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/RSS.ashxAmerican COP Nov/Dec 2008 PagesMon, 29 Sep 2008 16:38:33 +0200http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=1http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=12008 COP Christmas Gift Guide! WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM $5.95 OUTSIDE U.S. $9.50 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2008 Smith & Wesson Model 442 Airweight Galco Holster and ASP Handcuffs! WIN! TJ's Custom Gunworks Duty Ready Jewelry Shooting With X-Ray Vision Part II ANOTHER DAY IN INDIAN COUNTRY FOCUS: • Anti-Lock Braking Systems • First-Light's Tomahawk & Liberator • BLACKHAWK! Gloves • GPS Tracking System Light Tactical Rifles: Needs Vs Wants Corrections: You Ain't John Wayne2008-09-29T16:38:33+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=2http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=22008-09-29T16:38:33+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=3http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=3Top photo courtesy U.S. Department of Defense FN M24O 7.62x51MM NATO MEDIUM MACHINE GUN FN provides 70% of the small arms used by U.S. Military Forces around the globe. FN is the name you can trust. JUST LIKE THEY DO. FNAR AUTOLOADING RIFLES ARE AVAILABLE IN LIGHT OR HEAVY BARREL MODELS CHAMBERED IN 308 WIN. See the full line of FNAR rifles at your FNH USA dealer or visit fnhusa.com2008-09-29T16:38:33+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=4http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=42008 NOV • DEC Volume 4, Number 6, Issue 20 WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM 48 FEATURES 38 44 46 48 52 55 4 Duty Ready Jewelry. SUPER SIGS DAVE DOUGLAS DT INSTRUCTORS: PAUL MARKEL 18 Are You A SME Or A SOB? Just Another Day In Indian Country. POCKET INSURRECTION BOB PILGRIM 2008 COP CHRISTMAS GUIDE JOHN CONNOR LOWERING STANDARDS? DAVE GROSSI We've Got Your Back — And Your Gift List. Who Needs To Know About The Constitution Anyway? Part II – Ethics Of Deadly Force Training. SHOOTING WITH X-RAY VISION JAMES S. WILLIAMS MD WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 20082008-09-29T16:38:33+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=5http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=544 38 COLUMNS 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 LEAA JAMES J. FOTIS CORRECTIONS BRIAN DAWE HIGH TECH BOB DAVIS OFFICER SURVIVAL SAMMY REESE EVOC ANTHONY RICCI HARD TOOLS PAUL MARKEL RESERVES PERRY W. HORNBARGER 46 STREET LEVEL JOHN MORRISON REALITY CHECK II CLINT SMITH RESOURCES 72 76 76 SPOTLIGHT CLASSIFIEDS AD INDEX CARRY OPTIONS MARK HANTEN PRIVATE SECURITY ED PALUMBO DEPARTMENTS ON THE 18 20 A SMITH & WESSON PACKAGE! 22 74 24 26 32 38 46 48 INCLUDES THE GALCO ANKLE GLOVE & ASP HANDCUFFS! 55 8 RETURN FIRE 56 ON THE JOB 78 INSIDER RUMINATIONS COVER: YOU AIN'T JOHN WAYNE GPS TRACKING SYSTEM FIRST-LIGHT'S TOMAHAWK ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEMS BLACKHAWK! GLOVES LIGHT TACTICAL RIFLES SUPER SIGS: DUTY READY JEWELRY ANOTHER DAY IN INDIAN COUNTRY 2008 COP CRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE SHOOTING WITH X-RAY VISION PTII 20 WIN! AMERICAN COP™ (ISSN 1557-2609) is published bi-monthly by Publishers’ Development Corp., 12345 World Trade Drive, San Diego, CA 92128. Periodical postage paid at San Diego CA 92128, and at additional entry offices. Subscriptions: One year (six issues) $24.95. Single copies $5.95 (in Canada $9.50). Change of address: four weeks notice required on all changes. Send old address as well as new. Contributors submitting manuscripts, photographs or drawings do so at their own risk. Material cannot be returned unless accompanied by sufficient postage. Payment is for all world rights for the material. The act of mailing a manuscript constitutes the author’s certification of originality of material. Opinions expressed are those of the bylined authors and do not necessarily represent those of the magazine or it's advertisers. 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WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM 52008-09-29T16:38:33+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=6http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=6AMERICAN COP PUBLISHER Roy Huntington EDITOR DAVE DOUGLAS ART DIRECTOR RICHARD STAHLHUT MANAGING EDITORIAL ASSISTANT STEPHANIE JARRELL EDITORIAL ASSISTANT ROXANNE SMITH ART ASSISTANT ANDY LOY PRODUCTION MANAGER LINDA PETERSON ADVERTISING PRODUCTION DENNAYE CUSICK PROMOTIONS DIRECTOR RANDY MOLDE ´ PROMOTIONS COORDINATOR LORINDA MASSEY CONTRIBUTING EDITORS FIREARMS TRAINING EDITOR CLINT SMITH CCW/DUTY CARRY EDITOR MARK HANTEN TECHNOLOGY EDITOR BOB DAVIS VEHICLE/EVOC EDITOR ANTHONY RICCI OFFICER SAFETY EDITOR SAMMY REESE PROFFESIONAL SECURITY EDITOR ED PALUMBO SUPERVISORY SKILLS EDITOR JOHN MORRISON LEAA ISSUES EDITOR JAMES J. FOTIS EDGED WEAPONS EDITOR ERNEST EMERSON COMPETITION EDITOR ROB LEATHAM LEGAL ISSUES EDITOR JEREMY D. CLOUGH EQUIPMENT EDITOR PAUL MARKEL CONTRIBUTING EDITORS WES DOSS, STEVE ALBRECHT, RALPH MROZ, BEN DOUGLAS, BRIAN HOFFNER, RICH GRASSI, FRANK BORELLI ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT NATIONAL SALES DIECTOR ANITA CARSON ACCOUNT MANAGER DELANO AMAGUIN ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE STEVE EVATT ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE JEFF MOREY NATIONAL ADVERTISING: 12345 World Trade Dr., San Diego, CA 92128; e-mail: delano@americancopmagazine.com; (858) 605-0206; Fax: (858) 605-0208 FMG PUBLICATIONS PUBLISHER & EDITOR: ROY HUNTINGTON ADVERTISING: STEVE EVATT AMERICANHANDGUNNER.COM EDITOR: JEFF JOHN ADVERTISING: JEFF MOREY GUNSMAGAZINE.COM PUBLISHER & EDITOR: RUSS THURMAN ADVERTISING: ANITA CARSON SHOOTINGINDUSTRY.COM Special Editions EDITOR: SAMMY REESE ADVERTISING: SCOTT McGREGOR FMGPUBLICATIONS.COM (858) 605-0253 subs@americancopmagazine.com EDITORIAL (858) 605-0243 ed@americancopmagazine.com CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING (858) 605-0235 class@americancopmagazine.com PRODUCTION (858) 605-0202 production@americancopmagazine.com WEB SITE www.americancopmagazine.com SUBSCRIPTION WARNING: Firearms are dangerous if used improperly, and may cause serious injury or death. Due to the inherent variables in the reloading of metallic cartridges, verify all published loads with manufacturer’s data. Consult a professional gunsmith when modifying any firearm. PRODUCED IN THE UNITED STATES. 6 WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 20082008-09-29T16:38:33+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=7http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=7PepperBlaster ™ The Future of Pepper Defense PepperBlaster™ is better than ordinary pepper sprays. With a revolutionary delivery system, PepperBlaster fires two powerful blasts of penetrating pepper solution. Effective range is 13 feet and PepperBlaster incapacitates an assailant – human or animal – for up to 45 minutes. PepperBlaster is ideal for college students, joggers, commuters, pet owners and anyone who refuses to be a victim. See it in action at www.pepperblaster.com Kimber, Dept. #201 One Lawton Street Yonkers, NY 10705 (800) 880-2418 Caution: Strong irritant. Keep out of reach of children. May be unlawful to own or possess in some states or jurisdictions. Use for any purpose except lawful self defense may be punishable by imprisonment, fines or both. Guardian Angel protected by U.S. Pat. 6,951,070B2. Copyright ©2008, Kimber, Mfg., Inc. All rights reserved. WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM 72008-09-29T16:38:33+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=8http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=8RETURN FIRE “ In the latest issue, I read about the Texas deputy imprisoned as result of a prosecution by a US attorney. You failed to mention this jerk’s (the US Attorney) name. COP Jihad Continues In the latest issue, I read about the Texas deputy imprisoned as result of a prosecution by a US attorney. You failed to mention this jerk’s (the US Attorney) name. Often I read about this or that department or bureau issuing idiotic rulings but the reporters usually fail to mention the names of the individuals within those organizations making ” those stupid decisions or rulings, so there’s no way to hold their feet to the fire! You should do it with that nitwit US attorney. Sgt G.R.Chartier CTSP ret Sgt. Chartier, actually I did mention the “jerk’s” name. However, it was in a prior Insider Ruminations (May/June 07 Issue). I probably should have mentioned it again in the last issue. Since you may have missed it, here’s the column again. Although this is a situation which could be prominently featured in the Toro Caca section of Insider Ruminations, I find it has gone even further and reached a level even a whole 8 WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 20082008-09-29T16:38:33+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=9http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=9RETURN FIRE prairie full of Brahma bulls on Exlax couldn’t compare to. I regret being forced into the position of issuing of an American COP Magazine Fatwa. That’s right, I hereby call for a law enforcement Jihad on the US Attorney’s Office of the Western District of Texas — specifically, Johnny Sutton, the US Attorney down there. Now don’t get me wrong here, I in no way wish any harm come to the guy but enough is enough. He needs to have the fleas of a thousand camels infect his crotch or maybe something worse — like send him to federal prison with a snitch ticket attached. Sutton is the guy who decided to prosecute Border Patrol Agent Ignacio Ramos and fellow agent, Jose Alonso Compean, with what we now hear was the urging from not only the Bush Administration but the Mexican Gov- Typically ASP. ernment too. Now we find Sutton also pushed his minions into prosecuting Edwards County Deputy Sheriff Gilmer Hernandez for violation of an illegal alien’s civil rights. Now that’ll make you scratch your head won’t it? Sutton charged Hernandez with violating “under the color of law” the civil rights of Maricela RodriguezGarcia, a Mexican national. On the night of April 14, 2005, Deputy Hernandez was on routine patrol when he observed a speeding Suburban run a red light. The deputy stopped the vehicle and made his approach on the driver’s side. The driver slammed the truck back into drive and peeled away, almost running over his foot. Hernandez fired several shots — one of which blew out the rear tire. Okay so maybe he watched too many movies but you can’t really argue with success. The vehicle stopped, and disgorged its cargo of illegals into the sagebrush. Marcela Rodriguez Garcia, one of the illegal aliens stayed in the WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM See the Leverloc Baton and other ASP designs at your local Distributor. For a full color catalog of all ASP products, call 800.236.6243. asp-usa.com L E V E R L O C 9 B A T O N I regret being forced into the position of issuing of an American COP Magazine Fatwa. That’s right, I hereby call for a law enforcement Jihad on the US Attorney’s Office of the Western District of Texas — Non-impact closing. Retracts with a simple twist. Elegantly simple. Exceptionally strong. Four internal locking lugs. Black Chrome or Electroless shafts. 16, 21 or 26 lengths. Accepts all ASP baton accessories. Fits all ASP Baton Scabbards. A new technology. A new design. A new method of construction. A new standard of quality.2008-09-29T16:38:33+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=10http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=10M&P45 TO UPHOLD. TO PROTECT. TO DEFEND. THE LINE OF DUTY TM M&P340 M&P15 NASDAQ: SWHC MADE IN THE U.S.A. smith-wesson.com/mp2008-09-29T16:38:33+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=11http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=11RETURN FIRE car. Speculation was she was curled up over the wheel well. She was hit by one of the bullets — it shattered some of her teeth. She was treated and released from a local hospital. According to procedure, Deputy Hernandez reported the incident to his supervisors and they called the state to investigate. A few days afterwards, the Mexican consulate sent a letter to local and federal law enforcement officials in Texas demanding a full investigation. The U.S. Attorney’s office charged Deputy Hernandez with violating the civil rights of the woman noting because the agent’s life wasn’t in danger; he shouldn’t have shot at the vehicle. His defense attorneys argue he was doing his job and believed his life was in danger. By the way, the state cleared Deputy Hernandez of any wrongdoing. The deputy’s boss, Sheriff Donald G. Letsinger said Hernandez “followed the letter of the law” in defending himself in the April 2005 incident and questioned why the government brought charges. “This is a fine young man, and I just don’t believe he committed the wrong of which he was accused,” he added. A jury from a pool notorious for its sympathy toward “undocumented worker’s rights” convicted Hernandez. Sutton’s goons asked for seven years, apparently still drunk with success in getting Ramos and Compean 10 and 11 year sentences. The Judge sentenced Hernandez to one year and one day — far below the prosecution’s request. If I worked for the Border Patrol, I’d be looking at new employment options. The US Attorney’s Office of the Western District of Texas could care less if Mexican military units cross into our country and shoot at our agents; they apparently don’t care if our folks are shot at by drug dealers and mules and they put every imaginable obstacle in place to keep Border Patrol from pursuing just short of issuing the drug dealers and illegals spike strips. If it were up to me, I’d indict Sutton for treason and failing to register as an agent of a foreign government. Dave Car windows are tough. Breaking them with a baton is tougher. Punches carry your hand through a shower of glass. The ASP Breakaway makes a car window disappear.like magic. Rescue or arrest. Nothing comes close. • 3 Ceramic Pins • Positioned under the Baton cap • Fits any ASP Baton State Of Policing I started my police career in 1974, retired in 1994, returned to the police academy again in 2007 in North Carolina. I’m policing again. I really returned for my grandkids sake after their father ’s combat tour in Iraq. Unlike my VietNam era Marine Corps tour, he said the terrorists over there want to follow us back and kill us here. Between that and 9/11, it was enough for me to return and give me the feeling that I was somehow helping to WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM See the Breakaway and other ASP designs at your local Distributor. For a full color catalog of all ASP products, call 800.236.6243. asp-usa.com B R E A K A W A Y 11 W I N D O W B R E A K E R2008-09-29T16:38:33+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=12http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=122008-09-29T16:38:33+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=13http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=13RETURN FIRE safeguard all grandkids. Another motivator was I felt that maybe agencies were working better and closer than ever to protect citizens and this country. I was wrong — there’s still a lot of jealousy among agencies and particularly among the chiefs, sheriffs and ranking officers. The cop on the street is still just glad to see any back-up, no matter what uniform. I also see there appears to be more of a critical shortage of cops than I remember. In fact, it appears some qualifying standards have been relaxed for persons to enter the field. Having policed in several states, I’ve found there seems to be no real background check or psych test prior to starting most of the police academies. In fact, numerous people graduate and find they can’t be police When the toughest sheriff in America wanted new cuffs, he did a test. He selected ASP. Identifier Chain and Hinge Cuffs feature stainless steel frames, interchangeable Lock Sets and radiused edges. Permanent colors designate medical conditions, threat levels or departments. Identifier cuffs by ASP. It’s what the best dressed criminals are wearing. Old Pro, I can’t thank you enough for your service. I can’t imagine hitting the streets again at our age. I’m way too brittle for that now. Fortunately, I can keep my little toe in the “water” by doing this magazine. You are absolutely right about street cops being glad to see cover arrive no matter the LE uniform they are WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM See the Identifier Handcuffs and other ASP designs at your local Distributor. For a full color catalog of all ASP products, call 800.236.6243. asp-usa.com officers once an agency conducts their background and psych profile. That leads to its own set of problems — people with dubious backgrounds trained as cops. Law enforcement’s technology had changed tremendously, but people still have a long way to go. The petty squabbles among agencies and lack of true coordination only get in the way of accomplishing the mission. I’m not sorry I’m back in policing and hopefully; I can again contribute in some small way. For anyone wondering, I tried to get back in the military after 9/11and/or federal service, but was told I’m too old. I hope all of you have safe and long careers. Old Pro P I N K 13 H A N D C U F F S ? I felt that maybe agencies were working better and closer than ever to protect citizens and this country. I was wrong — there’s still a lot of jealousy among agencies and particularly among the chiefs, sheriffs and ranking officers.2008-09-29T16:38:33+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=14http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=14TACTICAL PRACTICAL Whether you’re a budget-minded law enforcement agency wanting Leupold’s pedigree of accuracy or a hardcore hunter looking for the rugged durability of our line of tactical optics, the Mark 2 has you covered. 1.800.LEUPOLD LEUPOLD.COM Now your finger is all you need to get to your handgun or your valuables. The GunVault Bio uses fingerprint recognition biometrics and a spring-loaded door to give you instant access to your safe’s contents when you need it—and strong, tamperproof security when you don’t. Mounts securely to walls, floors, drawers or inside your vehicle— it’s the ultimate insult to criminals everywhere. www.gunvault.com • 800-242-10552008-09-29T16:38:33+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=15http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=15RETURN FIRE wearing. If we could keep the administrators and politicians out of the equation we’d be much better off. Dave What’s Old Is New Again Dave, I read “To Sight Or Not To Sight” in the September/October 2008 issue of American COP. I was a police firearms instructor for 13 years back in the days when no one was certified and, if you could teach cops how to shoot, you did. I always taught a handgun was a defensive weapon intended to save your life at reasonably close range and the idea was to shoot the bad guy before he shot you. Accordingly, I thought sighting was a misuse of precious time and taught point shooting to a lot of cops, some of whom took first place in real shootings. When I had to qualify at my old department last year, to maintain the right to carry nationwide under the Law Enforcement Safety Act of 2004, the rangemaster commented that I was point shooting, to which I replied I always have. He mentioned they are trying to teach point shooting again because sighting at close range takes too much time, but are having difficulty weaning the shooters, who were trained to always sight, away from the old practice. When Sid Woodcock was still manufacturing the Detonics here and I was Chief of Police, I modified one of their little .45s to be slimmer and without sights, which they marketed as the in taking cover. I agree with the author none of the shots count that do not hit the target but they can still be delivered accurately — a lot faster — by point shooting. D.P. Van Blaricom Van, thanks for the comments. If I were king, we’d have a comprehensive firearms training regimen incorporating both point shooting and sighted shooting. The real challenge would be teaching the decision points of when to choose the appropriate tool for a give situation. For the reader out there: You may recall Retired Chief D.P. Van Blaricom wrote the “Suicide-by-Cop” article in our September/October 2006 issue. Dave AMERICAN COP TM welcomes letters to the editor. We reserve the right to edit all published letters for clarity and length. Due to the volume of mail, we are unable to individually answer your letters or e-mail. In sending a letter to American COP, you agree to provide Publishers Development Corp. such copyright as is required for publishing and redistributing the contents of your letter in any format. Send your letters to Return Fire, American COP, 12345 World Trade Dr., San Diego, CA 92128; www.americancopmagazine.com; e-mail: ed@americancopmagazine.com. He mentioned they are trying to teach point shooting again because sighting at close range takes too much time. Mark VII. Not a big seller, unfortunately, because most shooters cannot comprehend a gun without sights, however, I always carried one and had no problem keeping all 7 shots in the kill zone by point shooting out to 15 yards. If trouble is further away than that, the time taken to sight might be better used The threat stops here. When a situation unfolds, so does the new Ranger T Series Hollow Point. With an almost unbelievable combination of expansion and penetration enhanced by re-engineered barbs in the patented jacket design, the T Series can be relied on to deliver consistent stopping power in real world situations. Backed by Winchester’s comprehensive testing and training program, Ranger T Series is ammunition that always performs at its best — even when things are at their worst. Winchester.com/LawEnforcement © 2007 Olin Corporation, East Alton, Illinois 62024 WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM 152008-09-29T16:38:33+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=16http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=16LEAA JAMES J. FOTIS THE LAW ENFORCEMENT ALLIANCE OF AMERICA. LIES, DAMN LIES, AND OTHER MEDIA AND POLITICIAN’S SHENANIGANS: ops make decisions based on information tempered with experience. Talking to a thug, signs of deception can be obvious: rapid pulse, sweatiness, eye movement, nervous ticks or “tells.” With politicians and media things are often not so clear. C Case In Point he recent Supreme Court “Heller” decision regarding the Second Amendment and the right to Self-Defense is a landmark, historic decision with huge impact, including on how people vote for the next President. However, the mainstream media virtually ignored it. Media Research Center reports in the eight hours of combined broadcasts by the big media networks the morning following the T landmark decision, only three and one half minutes of coverage — from all the ‘major’ networks — combined — were dedicated to the Supreme Court’s monumental Heller decision. The Court’s decision not only answered the key question that you do have an individual right to Keep and Bear arms; it also memorialized the concept and propriety of Self-Defense. Also lost in that lack of reporting is that we came within one vote by a Supreme Court Justice that a key, fundamental, Godgiven constitutionally protected right did not exist for honest Americans. With the election of America’s next president looming, will we elect a President whose Supreme Court Justices will respect our rights and freedoms? Fair And Balanced? he Project of Excellence in Journalism evaluated media coverage (newspapers, magazines, and television) over a one-month time period. They revealed a tremendous bias in how the media is covering the two presidential candidates: Obama played the more important role in more than two-thirds of the stories. In one week Obama was the significant presence in 77% of the stories while McCain in only 48%; that is nearly a two-to-one disparity. And, for all that extra coverage, they aren’t telling you what you need to know. Politicians often lie. Sometimes their positions “evolve,” sometimes they outright flip-flop; sometimes they simply tell different people different things and hope they can fool the voters. Law And Order Issues fter analyzing the two main candidates, it seems clear one of them is vastly more consistent than the other, one is better on key issues of our freedoms and much better on law and order issues important to the law enforcement community. In this comparison, John McCain is the much better candidate. Obama supports Trial Lawyers, including those who represent criminals who sue officers for merely doing their job. He believes in the concept of “one-size-fits-all” Washington DC knows best, decision making and enjoys the unflinching support of the Trial Bar, key liberal groups (whose members often can’t wait to attack/criticize the brave men and women in blue) and many of the “big” union, left of center political types and organizations. T A James J. Fotis is a retired officer from New York and the Executive Director of the Law Enforcement Alliance of America (LEAA). LEAA works to promote officer safety issues, defend law enforcement in the media and promote the belief that gun control is not crime control. You can find out more or become a member of the hard-hitting, conservative, unabashedly pro-cop, pro-gun, pro-self defense LEAA by visiting their Web site at www.leaa.org 16 WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 20082008-09-29T16:38:33+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=17http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=17McCain supported legislation to stop trial lawyers from suing the manufacturers of the guns you carry for protection. Obama took the trial lawyers’ side. McCain signed onto a precedent setting Amicus Brief submitted in support of the Second Amendment/self-defense to the Supreme Court — Barack refused to publicly support either right. McCain supports judges, like those who ruled correctly on the Heller case. I believe Obama will appoint judges in the mold of those who voted against our freedoms in this case and for the kind that voted against the Death Penalty. McCain believes in a limited role for Federal Government in how it relates to local law enforcement. Barack wants more Federal Government intrusion/control into how you McCain supported legislation to stop trial lawyers from suing the manufacturers of the guns you carry for protection. Obama took the trial lawyers’ side. do your job even going so far as to cosponsor federal legislation to empower Washington DC to collect evidence proving “racial profiling” by police occurs and to bring more cases to “discipline” officers who participate in this alleged conduct. Obama wants to keep the Lautenberg Act in place — including provisions that hurt cops — and he wants to pass a stunningly broad array of more gun control under the lie gun control equals crime control. McCain knows more gun control isn’t going to help fight crime. Obama’s animosity to the Second Amendment and Self-Defense is pervasive, whereas McCain voted in favor of National Concealed Carry for Law Enforcement (LEOSA). And, McCain supports expanding its coverage and making it easier for offduty and retired officers to carry under its protection. If you rely on information only from the major media networks, the best candidate may never be revealed. That’s why you need reliable information from trustworthy sources — American COP and Law Enforcement Alliance of America. WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM Uncle Mike’s® Slimline PRO-3 Triple Retention Duty Holster Weapon retention can be the difference between life and death. Now more than ever, you need a duty holster that keeps your gun safe and secure, yet allows you swift access when the need arises. Uncle Mike’s PRO-3 duty unclemikesle.com holster features triple retention technology that keeps your gun out of the wrong hands, but still allows you to draw cleanly without having to negotiate a complex system of snaps and traps. 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BRIAN DAWE YOU AIN’T JOHN WAYNE “I Art: Sequoia Blankenship Pulse Of The Unit hen “newjacks” enter our world, there are some very fundamental things they need to know. But nothing is more important then being fair, firm and consistent when dealing with the inmates in your charge. As a house officer for eight years at MCI Norfolk in Massachusetts, it was critical the housing unit under my control be run as consistently as possible. With one officer patrolling three floors with 60 inmates and no backup, you best be certain of the pulse of the unit. One of the last things you want to walk into is a housing unit of 60 convicted felons all ticked off at the previous shift officer. The job is damn hard enough without having to clean up after someone else’s mess. However, putting up with want to tell you rookies something straight up. If you make my job harder than it already is behind these walls, the inmates will be the least of your problems. It’ll be me and the other officers you’ll have to deal with. This isn’t Cowboys and Indians and you ain’t John Wayne.” That’s how I opened my welcoming address to Department of Corrections Trainees. Not too subtle, not real smooth, a bit aggressive, nonetheless, right on point. Our job behind the walls is not to meet out justice — that’s up to the courts. It’s not to decide what punishment fits what crime — that’s up to the jury. It’s no longer to rehabilitate — we rarely have the manpower, programs, time or facilities to even attempt that goal. Our job has come down to two things: try and keep everyone behind those walls alive and don’t let anyone leave unless their time is up. W some of the antics of the inmate population takes incredible patience and self-discipline. Ask yourself these questions: How do you handle having feces and urine throw in your face? Do you throw it back at them? How do you handle physical confrontations? Do you let the moment get the best of you or are you trained well enough to remain in control and use only the amount of force necessary? How do you handle the verbal assaults hurled your way on a daily basis? Do you become equally verbally abusive? How do you handle the death of a fellow officer at the hands of an inmate? How do you handle a staff assault? How do you handle communicable diseases that can not only take your life but have a devastating impact on your family and friends as well? How do you handle an unruly inmate who you know is mentally ill? How do you handle telling an inmate his parole has been denied, or his visit won’t be allowed, or his appeal was shot down? Many of these situations occur daily behind the walls and how we handle them not only affects us, but can impact all staff, especially those relieving you. What about the stresses outside of the job? Do you bring them behind the walls with you? That argument with your spouse, a bad report card, the broken down car, the way too high credit card bills — all of this can impact performance. As a result it can also have an impact on the mood of the prison and consequently on the safety of the facility. The professionalism with which you handle these situations may not only save Brian Dawe is the Executive Director for The American Correctional Officer (www.americanco.org) and the American Correctional Officers Intelligence Network (www.COIntel.net). He can be reached at ACOIN1@aol.com or by calling him at 307-883-9707. 18 WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 20082008-09-29T16:38:33+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=19http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=19your life but that of fellow staff members as well. State Of Agitation I’ve found if you strive to be firm, fair and consistent in your dealings with the inmate population everyone has a better chance of going home after a shift. We react as a result of the way we’re trained and the experiences we’ve had over the years. However, Corrections is unlike any other job. The situation is constantly in a state of agitation. Who the hell wants to be in prison — inmates or staff? Yet there we are, doing the job very few people would dare even contemplate. With inmate populations going through the roof and staffing numbers falling further and further behind, it’s really important we bring our “A-game” to the job. We need to look around the room at roll call and realize these men and women are your lifeline, let’s not make it any harder on them — they want to go home in one piece too. If you come to work with an attitude, leave it at the time clock. It’s one thing on the streets when your attitude general only impacts you, but behind the walls it’s a whole different story. >> Forged A4 Upper Receiver >> A2 Flash Hider, 1/2-28 Thread >> 6-Position Tactical CAR Stock >> 16” Chrome-Lined, Chrome Moly R4 Barrel, 1:9 Twist 1 MOA @ 100 Yards >> R-4 Handguard with Double Heat Shields >> Two Stage Match Trigger >> Star Safety Selector >> Hogue Rubber Grip 1.5 MOA @ 100 Yards homeland, the farm, your record at Camp Perry or anything in between, has a rifle to get the job done. You can even customize your firearm, choosing from a wide selection of calibers, receivers, stocks, handguards, barrels, triggers, grips, and accessories. This combined with Rock River’s unsurpassed quality make Rock River the ultimate choice for durability, dependability, accuracy, and versatility. It’s not just another AR, it’s a Rock River LAR. Prepare Mentally Often times Correctional Officers are thrust into situations on the spur of the moment, there’s little time to wait for back up. You must be ready to react immediately. As you get ready for that next shift ask yourself if you’re mentally prepared to respond in a professional manner. People die behind those walls. In fact on the walls of the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington DC you’ll find the names of 527 Correctional Officers who died in the line of duty. Although being able to physically handle yourself in this environment is important, it’s far more vital to your safety and your fellow officers you have the mental game down as well. If you and the other officers are mentally prepared to do the job, the physical dangers can be greatly reduced. We weren’t hired to clean up Dodge City — that’s not our job. I ended my presentation to the rookies with this thought: “Corrections isn’t for everyone. In a few years most of you’ll have moved on to other lines of work. But for those who stay, remember we are all we’ve got — without each other, what’s left behind those walls? If you remember and respect that, we’ll be all right. Welcome to Corrections.” WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM .75 MOA @ 100 Yards Scope not included .75 MOA @ 100 Yards IMPROVES ACCURACY! There are two extremely effective methods to improve your accuracy: Visit the shooting range often. Build superior hand strength by using PROHANDS everyday. USED BY THE US MILITARY & LAW ENFORCEMENT ® * .NET NEW FROM GRIPMASTER ONLY PROHANDS STRENGTHENS EACH FINGER INDIVIDUALLY Visit prohands.net or 800-880-3427 for more info, nearest locations or direct purchase. THE NO. 1 HAND EXERCISER IN THE WORLD ! 192008-09-29T16:38:33+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=20http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=20HIGH TECH GPS was developed in the 1970s for the military. Original commercial devices used selective GPS. That system is no longer used so the GPS unit you can buy today is as accurate as those used by the military. GPS is composed of 24 satellites above the earth, so at any time a minimum of six satellites will be in view to users anywhere in the world. Portable units receive data from the closest satellites to determine exact location (typically in latitude and longitude), elevation, speed and time. The information isn’t dependent on weather and is available around-theclock anywhere in the world. GPS is free to the world, developed and paid for by US taxpayers. Companies who offer remote “real time” access to the data charge service fees typically based upon usages. And it’s those fees that drive administrators crazy. BOB DAVIS CUTTING EDGE WIDGETS — AND OTHER NEW STUFF. GPS lobal Positioning System (GPS) devices are a technological boon supporting law enforcement’s efforts to keep an “eye” on bad guys. At the same time, some systems are a bane for bean counters and administrators who deal with usage fees and impact on their budgets. Like it or not, budgets are the realities of 21st century policing. What’s the use of having a GPS device if the boss or his bean counting co-conspirator won’t let you use it? So, here at Amer- A TECHNOLOGICAL BOON OR BANE? G ican Cop Magazine we’re finding solutions and I think we’ve found one in a GPS “recorder.” It gives you everything you need — except real time access. Today GPS is found everywhere — consumers use it in cars, boats, airplanes, and even in cellular phones. Handheld receivers are carried by hikers, surveyors, mapmakers and others who need to know where they are. Here are some things you need to know about the GPS. Good Alternative ne of the best alternative choices for law enforcement agencies is a GPS recorder where data is automatically collected from GPS satellites and stored on the device after being covertly placed, then recovered, from a suspect’s vehicle. The Super Trackstick from Telespial Systems of Southern California is one such device. The Super Trackstick model measures 4.5" X 1.25" X .75", comes in a weather proof case with a removable magnetic mounting bracket for covert installation. It’s been tested in environmental conditions from 10 degrees C (14 degrees F) to 60 degrees C (140 degrees F). Two AAA batteries power the device. Choosing the battery type, Alkaline, NiMh or Lithium will lengthen the tracker’s life as it receives and stores data into its 4 megabytes of flash memory. In full power mode, Alkaline batteries last between three and six days. Using the more efficient Lithium batteries provide enough juice for up to two weeks of surveillance work. The super tracker model also comes with a vibration detector that wakes the device up from “power save” mode when the vehicle is moving; this extends the battery life to maximum of eight weeks. Once activated Super Trackstick continuously records its exact route, stop times, speed, direction and other valuable information — all of which can be quickly downloaded via the trackers integrated USB connector port and viewed on your computer once the device is recovered from the suspect’s vehicle. A red line traced on satellite photos and 3D terrain using the latest mapping technologies from Google Earth as well as other software packages shows routes. O DBS AND Z COORDINATES? T he Trackstick is accurate to 2.5 meters horizontally, which may present a problem if the suspect goes underground or into a multistory parking facility. Remember the device still must have the ability to receive satellite signals to record its position. While underground structures attenuate the signal to zero DBs your only concern for multi-storied garages will be finding “Z” coordinate or vertical distance from ground or sea level. There are no monthly fees required for using the Trackstick and its advanced tracking manager software as well a2008-09-29T16:38:33+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=21http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=212008-09-29T16:38:33+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=22http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=22OFFICERSURVIVAL SAMMY REESE GETTING HOME IN THE SAME CONDITION YOU WENT TO WORK IN. THE TUBE PARADIGM SHIFT FIRST-LIGHT’S LIBERATOR AND TOMAHAWK I don’t read instructions until I’m totally frustrated and I like things simple — especially under stress. I’ve said it before; the KISS principle was made for me: Keep It Simple Sammy. When I first put my paws on the First -Light Liberator, I didn’t bother to look at the instructions or call Clyde Caceres, friend and President of First-Light. I fumbled and pressed buttons to my complete frustration. I put the light on my desk and there it sat. About a week later I saw Clyde at an LE Show and told him I had no idea how to use the Liberator. In less than ten minutes, I had the light properly fitted to my hand and was comfortable in its operation. Something about quality training was ringing in my ears. The light worked as advertised, it stayed where it was supposed to and gave me the freedom to use my hands to operate firearms, climb, or simply use both hands without having to put my standard flashlight under my arm or worse, in my mouth. Go ahead and lie — say you haven’t done it. Tube Paradigm? ne question kept nagging me; where do you put it when it’s not on your hand? Simple, you don’t put it away. It stays on your hand all the time. This requires a paradigm shift in how we’ve used flashlights our whole career. We’re tube flashlight world and we’ve adapted to the tube not the other way around. The Liberator and its new brother, the Tomahawk, still have tubes, but the folks at First-Light have adapted the tube to us. The Tomahawk solved the where to put it by making a really slick belt mounted holster equipped with a Blade-Tech Tek-Lok belt mount. It has all the same functions as the Liberator in a smaller package. Change is difficult. Face it, we don’t like to be uncomfortable or out of our comfort zone. Things are just fine the way they are, right? Change is usually associated with some new policy, program or widget attached to some administrator’s pet project. The look at me factor will never go away — learn to love it and be a little more flexible — your blood pressure will appreciate it. The First-Light products work as advertised. It took a little while to get use to the Liberator. I used it on the range during setup and cleanup, I wore it while shooting handguns, subguns and rifles. I was able to shoot, reload and complete immediate actions with ease. The light never got in the way and more importantly I never dropped or lost it. O I use the light when walking my dogs and like being able to use both hands on the leash — every K9 handler should be using a Liberator. The weapon-mounted light is nice when you’re on a threat, but using a “loaded” light to watch your dog, partner or someone you don’t want to shoot can have disastrous results. “Never point your weapon at anything you don’t want to destroy.” Sound familiar? I also keep one on the nightstand. One less thing to hold while your heart rate is over 170, at O-Dark Thirty and the dog is going nuts, can be a good thing. The Liberator and Tomahawk are available in several models and configurations to suite your needs. If you need or desire a strobe feature, they got it, you like a clip for your MOLLE gear — got one of those too. For more info: www.first-light.com. #1 Rule #1 * 22 WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 20082008-09-29T16:38:33+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=23http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=232008-09-29T16:38:33+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=24http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=24EVOC ANTHONY RICCI SURVIVING IN YOUR MOBILE OFFICE. RST, THEN TURN FI E K A R B S Y A • ALW SEE THE ESCAPE D N A ” H IG H “AIM •REMEMBER TO ROUTE EARLY. D. LLY BE PREPARE TA N E M D N A N • HAVE A PL A EEL, RNING THE WH TU N E H W TH O MO • ALWAYS BE S NEVER JERKY. ADRUPLE SPEED, YOU QU . R U O Y LE B U O D • WHEN YOU RCE ACTING ON YOUR VEHICLE THE FO A G TIME TO STOP N LO A E K TA ES • IT REALLY DO GOING OVER 50 MPH. VEHICLE N PACKAGE CROW E C LI O P E G A R E AVE ERCEP • AT 60 MPH, THET TO STOP, NOT INCLUDING P FE VIC TAKES 150 AND REACTION DISTANCE. TION ES: L U R K C I U Q E L P A COU . ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEMS BASICS J ust about every department’s vehicle fleet still has some vehicles without ABS, even though it’s been available for years. Not really sure why, I guess it’s either a maintenance issue or simply a budget issue at the time the order was placed. Either way it’s important to understand ABS — what it does, does not do and how to use it. What Is ABS? BS stands for Anti-Lock Braking System and when asked about its capabilities, most students reply it prevents wheel lockup. Although partially correct, the true significance of the Anti-Lock Braking System is that it only “senses” wheel lock up and then very quickly allows the tire to rotate, relock and rotate about 15 times per second allowing the driver to have some steering control under heavy breaking. Of course, this is only if the driver decides to smoothly turn the steering wheel. The driver will also need enough skill to guide his vehicle into a space rather than a pole or the side of an SUV. What Do We Need To Know? he driver needs to be in the correct seating position, with the seatbelt properly fastened. I realize the seat belt is cumbersome with a duty belt on, but it helps keep you secured in place when you slam on the brakes and turn or swerve around an obstacle. Although you may be able to avoid that obstacle without the seatbelt on, you may not necessarily be able to avoid the next obstacle if you’re pulling on your steering wheel trying to climb back into your seat. Next, the driver should understand some basic laws of physics. An object in motion wants to stay that way. The car doesn’t want to turn, therefore it’s important to brake first, setting the A T Anthony Ricci is the owner and president of Advanced Driving and Security (ADSI). He’s been teaching cops to drive for over 10 years. www.1adsi.com. 24 WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 20082008-09-29T16:38:33+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=25http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=25weight forward on the two rolling tires — then turn. If you turn first, weight will shift laterally in the opposite direction and then when you hit the brakes too much weight will load on one of the front tires. One tire can’t hold back that much weight. Even with ABS the vehicle will start to push in the opposite direction you want to go. The driver will also experience the vehicle lofting in one direction. It makes sense since all the weight is being tossed to one side instantly, and then shifted down toward a front tire. This could cause the vehicle to spin out of control quickly. Computer Control Have you ever heard someone say, “I hate ABS” or “I can stop faster without ABS.” Technically, if someone regularly trains on a non-ABS car and understands its threshold braking point and how to get there without exceeding it — on dry pavement, under good conditions, when waiting and expecting a hazard to pop out then yes, a non-ABS threshold technique can stop the vehicle quicker on dry pavement — since correct threshold techniques doesn’t allow the wheels to lock or skid at all. That’s too many variables to deal with and if the driver makes a mistake and does skid, it’ll take more time to recover and re-find threshold. ABS is brain dead and easy — you simply have to remember to step on the brake, hold it down and progressively turn the steering wheel. Driver’s Responsibility How you turn the wheel is very important. If the driver panics, jerking on the steering wheel the car will quickly lose control. ABS can lock and unlock the brakes an average of 15 times per second. The human can’t beat the computer in this particular case. Given the number of variables and also taking into account under trained drivers, ABS will usually be more efficient — especially on wet pavement. One EVOC class at the academy doesn’t make a driver proficient, so unless the department is sending you for quantity training, then get in the ABS car and like it. Since accident avoidance is the responsibility of the driver, remember the ABS system is a luxury to aid in safety and control. If the driver doesn’t understand the tool, it defeats the purpose all together. WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM * 252008-09-29T16:38:33+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=26http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=26HARDTOOLS PAUL MARKEL ESSENTIAL TOOLS FOR THE JOB. PROTECT THOSE HANDS Modern Combat Gloves to Save your Skin I need time for my hands to heal up. What happened to my hands? They were cut, scraped and generally torn up after a weeklong pistol and carbine course. I decided I’d turn my pain into a learning point about modern hand protection. However, we first need to discuss why my hands were torn up. Don’t I BLACKHAWK!’s new Hot Ops vented gloves. know better? Yes, I do. The short story is I was participating in training on a military range and the Range Safety Officer announced on day one, “No gloves will be worn on the firing line.” Anyone who’s been in the military, regardless of branch understands military personnel don’t like The SOLAG HD to be questioned — Nomex gloves rules are rules and provide maximum that’s that. As I protection for your paws. needed to participate in this program my shooting gloves went back in my pack. By the end of the first day my right thumb was rubbed sore from literally hundreds of safety/decock drills on the M9 service pistol. The index finger on my left hand was SOLAG HD Kevlar are a little stiffer but provide superior protection when you’re rooting around with sharp pointy things. bandaged and taped up as the hard steel of the pistol slide gouged out a chunk during rapid reload drills. Slice ‘Em — Dice ‘Em This Is Now odern combat/shooting gloves are light-years ahead of the old cow skin models we used to wear. I don’t wear gloves every time I shoot. I wouldn’t expect anyone would wear gloves on each and every outing to the range. However, what we’re discussing isn’t a sunny Sunday afternoon with our favorite .22. We’re focusing on serious training for serious missions. Let’s take a look at a couple of new sets of gloves. B efore the week was over, I looked like I tried to slap a Benihana chef. I had bandages and tape on six of ten fingers and several cuts and scrapes on the knuckle joints making bending them most painful. I made inquiries into the “no gloves” rule and was informed, quote: “Wearing gloves is unsafe.” Digging deeper I found the reasoning stemmed from the old black leather gloves (outer shells) the military had issued as standard gear. I had a set twenty plus years ago as a young Marine. They were ill fitting, bulky and not at all conducive to good shooting. But, as the saying goes, that was then and this is now. M A week long military shooting course had Paul’s hands looking like he was playing with a wood chipper. BLACKHAWK! Hot Ops How often have you thought, I should wear my shooting gloves but it’s too hot? The new Hot Ops gloves offer a viable solution to the “protect 26 WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 20082008-09-29T16:38:33+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=27http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=27my hands and sweat or don’t protect them and be cool.” They have a neoprene and mesh back allowing your hands to breathe. The palm is covered in synthetic leather for protection and a pull-on loop helps you don them quickly. Hook and loop closures secure the wrist. These aren’t SWAT raid gloves and probably wouldn’t be my first choice for breaching. They are, however, a viable choice when the mercury is high and you need something to protect bare flesh. SOLAG HD I’ve owned a set of BLACKHAWK! SOLAG gloves for a several years now. I wore them when sorting through filth and debris at post-Katrina New Orleans. The new SOLAG (Special Operation Light Assault Glove) HD or Heavy Duty gloves have the same qualities of the original, but include hard-knuckle protection and thicker cowhide palm and fingertips. SOLAGs are constructed with either Kevlar or Nomex — your choice — in addition to cowhide leather. They have a hook and loop closure across the back and around the wrist and are available in black, tan, and foliage green. Unlike Hot Ops, SOLAG HDs are SWAT raid ready gloves and definitely good for ramming a door or tossing a “bang.” Bottom Line While we won’t likely wear gloves every time we pull the trigger, we should wear them when the situation turns serious. If we’re wearing them on the job, we sure as hell need to train with them. As for gloves not being safe on the range — not wearing them is more dangerous, at least for your skin. Flesh and skin are always going to be softer than the steel of your pistol, shotgun, or carbine. We protect our eyes and our ears. We need to think about protecting our hands. For More Info: www.blackhawk.com WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM 27 *2008-09-29T16:38:33+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=28http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=28RESERVES PERRY W. HORNBARGER DEDICATION AND PROFESSIONALISM THAT GOES BEYOND PAY. ? U W 28 sing the word “hiring” when you talk about volunteers sounds a little unusual — but that’s exactly what you’re doing. Your rookies should be no different than any paid officer your department hires. They must be of the “right stock” to fit your organization and must be able to pass a background check. You train them and you expect them to act as professionals. So, why do some departments accept less when it comes to Reserve/Auxiliary Officers? That’s a tangent I won’t get into here — maybe another day. But, if a department is going to use these officers to supplement street cops, those guys want someone of equal caliber covering their ass. I’ve always made it a point (by policy) to have the same standards for our guys as for our paid officers. Even the psychological and polygraph testing is the same. The only difference is the physical standards and the entrance exam. The department requires paid officers pass a physical and written test while we don’t do that for our auxiliary officers. My goal is to one day be exactly the same but right now, it is just not feasible. Why shouldn’t we require those things for our people? Only a fool would put officers that are a liability out there. ARE YOU HIRING THE RIGHT PEOPLE? Commitment THEN AND NOW hen I joined our unit, our department’s Personnel and Training Unit did everything for us. An individual would make application via a background packet, complete the background process and was assigned to our unit. We had no input in the process whatsoever. We’d meet monthly for a general business meeting and training session and the “new guys” would just show up. In our modern day application process, we’re very much involved in our selection process. The background packet I mentioned earlier scared a lot of people off so we start with a “pre-screening application,” which can be downloaded from the Internet. It’s two pages asking basic personal information. With this basic information we can start the process to see if they qualify — driving history, criminal checks, department contacts — before we waste any more time on them. Once we receive the “prescreening application,” we invite them to an “Orientation Session.” It’s a three-hour session we hold every other month (depending on applications received) and everything possible is laid out. e have a canned PowerPoint program where “everything that you always wanted to know but were too afraid to ask” is covered. We let them know what to expect from the department and what we’ll expect from them. At the end of this program we pass out the background packets to those still interested. We try to make it very plain at this point if they aren’t fully committed and don’t take one, there are no hard feelings and we wish them luck. Those who return the completed background packet are scheduled for an interview with several members of our executive staff. This interview is designed to weed out the people seeking the position for the wrong reasons or who won’t make a “good fit” with the unit. If the executive staff feels they possess the right stuff, their background packet, along with the interview notes, are sent to the Human Relations Unit and a regular background investigator is assigned. Once the investigator does his/her magic, they send a letter to the Chief of Police of their findings, and a recommendation whether or not to “hire” the applicant for the position. At this point both the applicant and I receive notification of the Chiefs decision. W BE INVOLVED hile this process may not be appropriate for your agency, it works well for us and no matter what you decide to do, remember when you get these rookies, you get all of the baggage that comes with them — good and bad. You really need to be involved in the process. W * Perry W. Hornbarger is the Unit Commander of the Chesterfield, Va. Auxiliary Police Unit. He can be reached via e-mail at hornbargerp@yahoo.com. W2008-09-29T16:38:33+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=29http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=292008-09-29T16:38:33+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=30http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=30STREET LEVEL JOHN MORRISON STRAIGHT TALK ON SUPERVISION & LEADERSHIP ON THE FRONT LINES — THE STREETS. hirty-nine years after I first wrote about it in the law enforcement press, I’m gratified to learn some police agencies are waking up to the idea perhaps, just perhaps, we shouldn’t make such easy targets of our officers; carrying on regulations and practices which make our field personnel virtual bullet-magnets. What a radical idea! The current issue being chewed and thrashed over in chat rooms involves a startling discovery: The bright inverted triangle formed by a white Tshirt beneath an unbuttoned dark blue uniform shirt forms a virtually perfect “sight alignment pattern.” Whether the shooter instinctively point-shoots, grabs a “flash sight picture” or settles into a match-quality image alignment, parking the top of his front sight blade at the sharp bottom of the triangle, it could hardly be more efficient and effective. That nice white triangle, set off in clear con- T The Crook’s-Eye View trast with duty blue attracts and funnels vision, then encourages tight focus. Physiologically, it perfectly complements instinctive and intuitive “threat targeting.” The visual image couldn’t be better if scientists designed it. I first became concerned about this as a rookie in 1968. I’d just returned from combat in Viet Nam, where adherence to the rule “never make yourself a good target” frequently separated the smart from the dead. My department’s November-to-May uniform included a long-sleeve khaki shirt and black tie. I couldn’t help noticing what a fine “aiming stake” that tie made, along with the equally contrasting “horizontal reference” formed by our black gunbelts. I felt if I were fighting us, how easy it’d be to reference the gunbelt and simply “walk my shots” up the tie — and the spinal column. Crooks needn’t even be conscious of the referencing effect; they’d use it intuitively. And believe me — they have. GRAYBAR COLLEGE & LOCKUP “U” I tried backtracking this latest wave of attention to the “TShirt Sight Picture” issue. I was interested in learning whether it came from some singular shooting situation, a conversation between a crook and a cop, holding-cell tapes, seized documents, anything I could isolate, analyze and possibly follow trails from. I found scattered references to anecdotal incidents none of which panned out. Several officers were asking on the net if crooks were actively talking about this and if it was part of some more comprehensive body of crooks-versuscops “tactical tips & techniques;” sort of a “Bad Guys’ Bible.” I couldn’t discover if it was, but from my own experience, I’d suggest you assume it is and assume even more: career criminals are constantly analyzing, updating and sharing info on how to defeat the enemy — us. It’s a shame street cops and road deputies have so little contact and information-sharing interaction with correctional officers and jail deputies. The three places where the most crook-tocrook training takes place are prisons, jails, and parolee “halfway houses.” They are truly the “higher education learning centers” of the criminal class. Continued on page 66 John Morrison served in combat as a Marine sergeant, and retired as a senior lieutenant from the San Diego Police Department, having served there as Director of Training, Commanding Officer of SWAT and division executive officer. He has taught, written and lectured widely on training, tactics and leadership. Contact him at StreetLevelOne@yahoo.com. 30 WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 20082008-09-29T16:38:33+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=31http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=31Now the Stinger DS® LED is everything you’ve ever wanted in a light. With C4 Power LED Technology and a proprietary reflector, the new Stinger DS LED is effectively 3x brighter than previous LEDs. Plus it magnifies, directs and intensifies the light to pierce the darkness. With ©2008 Streamlight, Inc. Dual Switch technology, a run time of nearly 7 hours on a single charge, multiple lighting modes, a disorienting strobe, the ability to fit a traffic wand and a rubberized grip, it’s the most complete LED in your arsenal. TM 30 Eagleville Road, Eagleville, PA 194032008-09-29T16:38:33+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=32http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=32REALITY CHECK I I COUNSEL, WISDOM, GUIDANCE AND TEACHING. CLINT SMITH LIGHT TACTICAL RIFLE Needs Versus Wants t’s good to see more cops carrying and using rifles today. What might not be so good is looking at some of the choices allowed or forced to use and, more importantly, to look at some of the goofy marketing ploys laid on the LEO community such as “Just the rifle cops need.” Having dealt with the rifle for some time I’m often approached by officers and even manufacturers wanting to know what rifle I would use, what rifle I’d recommend, or my favorite of this bunch; the marketing guy’s question, “What do you think of our rifle?” Bluntly most of the equipment offerings are too heavy, too big, too complicated and over engineered by some marketing or LE department “expert” in rifles, who’s often Magna Cum Laude from the University of Bullshit. Don’t take this wrong — if what you have works for you, then your problem is solved. But, remember, many people are talking about a weapons platform they’ve never used. I The LTR in action with members of the Oregon National Guard. Needs Vs. Want am not sure every American cop needs an AR15 platform with IR lasers, TV screen gun sights, double magazine carriers, and enough 1913 Picatinny rails to start a new branch of the Atchison, Topeka, Santa Fe Rail Road. I am intrigued with the why “I need a buncha bullets” concept. If you’re a SWAT entry team, up front, thru the door first guy — you bet, go armored, go big or stay home. That said, with no negative connotations here, SWAT guys solved the second suspect problem in the North Hollywood Bank America gig then again — only speculating here — could a semi auto rifle or heaven forbid, even a simple bolt action rifle with a modest scope have solved the full auto idiots problem before the SWAT guys got on scene? You bet, and that’s a big reason why so many departments are now authorizing rifles. “I want a high capacity magazine fed automatic rifle, the 6.8 is better than the .223. The HK416 is better than the SCAR” (like who cares most of us can’t get either one). All these points are moot if the target is not hit to start with. I read in a defense review magazine an interesting statement by an Army Colonel, who said in part, “It doesn’t matter what we use if we don’t hit the target.” Hummm…I wonder if he has a point? I BIG AND HEAVY? his has been solved and proved again and again over the last ten years, it does not have to have a long barrel and it does not have to be heavy to hit the target. Does a Patrol Bolt Rifle have to weigh twelve pounds and have a twenty-four inch barrel? How about a seven-pound gun with a twenty inch barrel? When, where and how are the majority of the LEO surgical rifle shootings taking place? Generally, SWAT fired shots are often made with state of the art, big money, LEO rifles yet, could these same or similar marksmanship problems be solved by a smaller package — especially in the hands of a trained patrol cop. Who’s almost always on the scene first? I am not saying patrol cops should usurp SWAT, but if the situation deteriorates right now, and the problem needs to be solved right now, maybe they need the correct tool. T 32 WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 20082008-09-29T16:38:33+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=33http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=33Custom camo paint job add a personal touch yet it is probably not a good idea for cops. The LTR in three formats from left to right Aimpoint sight, Leupold 4-14x42 and Badger Magazine conversion with Leupold 6-20-42 scope. The Aimpoint sight mounted on the bolt was extremely fast to get on target and was very accurate to extended ranges. SMALL AND LIGHT recently had the chance to use, monitor and compare a Remington 700 Light Tactical Rifle (LTR) in an out of the norm circumstance. While doing a training program for a military unit we came up one rifle short for the program conducted with all real deal Remington M24 SWS .308 rifles. The LTR belonged to me and the troops didn’t have a fourth rifle or a choice so, I plugged the LTR into the long-range high angle rifle program. The .308 caliber LTR was mounted with a Leupold Mark IV 4.5-14x40mm LR/T scope set in Leupold tactical rings. Each student in the two day class shot about 300 rounds of Black Hills 175 SMK Match ammunition at ranges from 100 yds to over 900 yds with downward angled shots of up to 60 degrees. Two of the eight shooters had been to a formal Army sniper school with the remainder being brand new to the concept give or take a childhood deer hunt. I won’t be so bold as to say the LTR out-shot the M24 but I can say the LTR held its own across the course of fire to include the long and the steep parts of the shooting. It is also worth noting the strapping young lads preferred the seven lbs carry weight of the LTR to the thirteen plus lbs of the M24 as we trundled up the 6000 plus foot ridge where we conducted the shooting. I The LTR held it own very well beyond 600 yards which is way more than most police officers can or could shoot and justify…but the rifle will do it if you need it. DOWN RANGE PERFORMANCE irst things first, to answer the “group curmudgeons” The LTR shot consistently into and under one-inch at one hundred yards from a bench rest while bagged front and rear. The rifle did so with reloaded ammunition (I already know LEO’s can’t shoot it) and factory ammo. The point being, the rifle was stable across a broad spectrum of ammunition. F FACTORY LOADS FIRED Federal .308M 168 SMK Corbon .308 Match 168 SMK Black Hills .308 Match 175 SMK THE BASE LINE he LTR comes in .223, .308 and 300 short-action Ultra Mag if needed. It weighs around seven lbs. The glass stock and fluted barrel are geared to reduce the size and weight of the rifle. I also mounted an Aimpoint Comp3 two MOA dot on the LTR and it proved to be very quick on target and way accurate enough to place head hits on the six by six head at 100 with a little attention and a good trigger press. If there’s a magazine function or capacity issue GA Precision can mount a rock solid functioning detachable magazine directly into the LTR system. Not every cop in America needs a full auto assault rifle — the smaller lighter LTR rifle may in fact be very capable of solving many potential LEO problems — while doing so in a compact size package. RELOADED AMMUNITION With help from Chris Hodgdon from Hodgdon Powder and Carroll Pilant from Sierra Bullets, I used my “made by me” ammunition. I think it’s starting to come along nicely in the accuracy department. These loads work for me and should be confirmed by the reader with all proper manuals before you load and use ammo. 42.5 IMR 4064 and Sierra 175-grain Match King bullet. 44.2 WW748 and Sierra 168-grain Match King bullet. WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM T * 33 For More Info: www.remingtonle.com, www.gaprecision.net, www.sierrabullets.com, www.hodgdon.com, www.federalpremium.com, www.corbon.com, www.black-hills.com2008-09-29T16:38:33+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=34http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=34CARRY OPTIONS FROM HOLSTERS TO HAVERSACKS. MARK HANTEN WAIST WEAR The Heart Of The Concealed Carry Holster System (Top) Mitch Rosen Extraordinary Gunleather’s cordovan 1.25" tapered to 1", (middle) Milt Sparks Holsters’ black 1.5" tapered to 1.25", (bottom) The Beltman’s 1.25" cordovan horsehide. he gunbelt is the “heart” of the concealed carry holster system. If you haven’t already, I suggest trying a belt specifically designed as a gunbelt. The best gunbelt in the world won’t help if your holster doesn’t fit the belt properly. Holster slots need to match the size of the belt. It needs to be close, but don’t sweat if the holster is a little on the loose side. We’re not cutting diamonds here, but a sloppy fit will definitely mess up your draw. So, what makes a gunbelt a gunbelt? It’s a balance of strength and rigidity allowing firm coupling to the holster — creating stability. When you urgently pull your gun, the holster needs to be firmly held in place preventing shifting and binding of the gun inside the holster. A limp belt allows the holster to droop and sag — that’s bad. There you have it; strength and rigidity — good; limpness, drooping and sagging — bad. This is something guys have known their whole life. T BLACKHAWK!’s CQC Pistol Belt is a great gunbelt and an exceptional value. SHOULD YOUR SHOES AND BELT MATCH? The Wilderness Tactical Products’ Five Stitch Instructors Belt is the best nylon gunbelt going. I 34 ’m not the fashion police, but seriously guys, if you’re wearing a nylon holster on a leather belt — you need a makeover. I want to be sensitive to the modest salaries some departments pay, but like your uniform, your plain-clothes belt/holster is part of your professional attire. And, like most other pieces of quality gear, given reasonable care, a good gunbelt/holster combo will last many years, if not a lifetime. Some Suggestions ’ve included a few great gunbelts of varying prices and styles. As far as nylon strap belts go, most aren’t worth a damn as a gunbelt. The exception proving the rule is the Five Stitch Instructor’s Belt made by Wilderness Tactical Products. It’s available in 1.5" and 1.75" widths in black, Continued on page 62 I WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 20082008-09-29T16:38:33+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=35http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=352009 SHOT SHOW JANUARY 15-18, 2009 ORANGE COUNTY CONVENTION CENTER ORLANDO, FL WWW.SHOTSHOW.ORG It’s time to reload at the 2009 SHOT Show in Orlando. Ensure that your profession is fully primed and on target by attending the 2009 SHOT Show. Get ready for the newest, most advanced duty, tactical and mil-spec gear. Firearms, advanced weapon systems, optics, cutlery, clothing, training, safety equipment, security, body armor and more. Network with peers and learn at FREE industry conferences. Source from over 200 categories covering routine patrol and special operations. For all those who protect and serve, it’s time to reload. REGISTER TODAY AT: www.shotshow.org2008-09-29T16:38:33+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=36http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=36PRIVATESECURITY ED PALUMBO ISSUES AND TRENDS ON THE PRIVATE SIDE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT. SECURITY H AND THE LAW as a nice ring to it, yes? Sounds like a good title for a required text, something I might have assigned a criminal justice class. Mandatory college reading or not is less important than the underlying precept, that legal strictures can both enhance or curtail the modernization of the security industry and the very real — and frightening — influence legislatures have on private security — at both the national and state levels. This may come as a complete and horrific surprise to many, but not all legislative bodies enact appropriate, well-crafted and timely laws (do they ever?). This isn’t to say there’ve been no legal efforts or accomplishments since 9/11 — designed to create, pass legislation that fosters a modern, professional and accountable protection industry — merely that the record is, thus far, only sporadically successful. ACCOUNTABILITY Extraordinary Risk I t’s not as though the “private” sector is without accountability in the larger national picture and doesn’t need legislative support in the various missions assigned to it by virtually every expert in the field (or those who simply claimed expertise since September 11, 2001; we can save that topic for another column, or two.) Certainly the private sector cannot shrink from its role in protecting national security. Roughly 85 percent of the nation’s critical infrastructure is owned and controlled by nongovernmental actors; these airlines, refineries and shopping malls are high-value targets for our enemies. Accordingly, private citizens and businesses must take responsibility for protecting themselves against these threats and in so doing protect the public too. But, this responsibility is contingent, in many instances, on governmental support in the form of legal infrastructure — correct and current legislation, enacted, not merely talked about as senators and congressman advise and consent their way to a typical conclusion — weak legislation failing to even approach its primary goal. I n a fascinating Catch-22 of stellar proportions, the majority of post - 9/11 studies delineate a clear lack, on the part of the federal government, of requisite financial and infrastructure resource to accomplish the overarching goal of protecting the country in the new age of extraordinary risk. Industry leaders have been put on notice they need to take “proactive steps to help government steer the right course” (from a 2004 MIT Business and National Security presentation). The U.S. government lacks the resources and detailed knowledge of industry necessary to compose effective regulations and standards. Thus, responsible business leaders have to overcome their adversarial reflex and try to work cooperatively with Washington to solve the nation’s security problems. The converse of this is usually the issue: the Federal (and state) governments need to overcome their adversarial reflex — based on the inbred notion all laws must first be selfserving — and actually produce supportive legislation complementing private industry demands. Such public-private initiatives are a wonderful thing, so long as they advance from public discourse to the advanced stages of public funding, or recognized laws that in fact support such private Continued on page 63 WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2008 362008-09-29T16:38:33+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=37http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=372008-09-29T16:38:33+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=38http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=38Dave Douglas Photos: Chuck Pittman DUTY READY JEWELRY 38 WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 20082008-09-29T16:38:33+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=39http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=39S G SIG Sauer Cop Guns There are a lot of departments issuing one of the many iterations of SIG guns. My department issued the P229 and I’m a big fan of the gun as a duty weapon. Their reliability is renown and we all know, if we’re betting our life on a gun — a piece of mechanical equipment — it “must” work every time we push the go button. Anything even slightly less is unacceptable. SIG Sauer ’s line up of duty ready firearms is extensive. They offer a size and caliber to accomplish almost every task a cop needs to consider. They can fit small hands, big hands, medium hands and different length of pull to accommodate short or long fingers in all the “police” calibers. They even offer single action, double action only, double/single action and their DAK trigger systems. WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM eorge Harris, the Director of SIG Academy, has a saying he uses — a lot — not only to convey the essence of the excellent training he conducts but also a general philosophy of life: Simple Is Good. Funny how the initials spell SIG isn’t it? George is a real believer in that philosophy and 99.9 percent of time, I fully agree with him. But, for the remaining one tenth of a percent of the time, I have to go well past simple and jump into the realm of overkill, opulent, lavish, luxurious and perhaps even sumptuous. Sorry George, but sometimes in life you just “gotta go fer it.” Living in Southern California affords me the ability to observe the “gotta go fer it” crowd up close and personal — sometimes maybe too up close and personal, so you need to keep up on your vaccinations — non-the-less it can still rub off. When I saw what TJ’s Gunworks, located in Culver City, California, can do with one of George’s “Simple is Good” SIGs, as a gun geek, I had to go fer it. UPER IGs TJ’s Gunworks — more specifically TJ himself — takes those superior attributes to a whole new level of reliability, function and aesthetics. He truly is the “SIG Master.” TJ’s Gunworks TJ started getting paid to work on guns back in 1982 and, as most gunsmiths do, started out working on Smith & Wesson revolvers and 1911 type pistols along with the occasional rifle. The late custom rifle builder Frank Rosolot was one of TJ’s mentors. He also enjoyed building “Race Guns” for speed plate competitions and always jumped on the opportunity to do minor repairs on guns built by other custom pistolsmiths like the master pistolsmith Jim Boland. TJ eventually tired of the “standard stuff” and started looking for other guns as outlets for his creativity. That’s when he found the Browning BDA .45ACP. The BDA 45 was actually a SIG Sauer design imported to the US by Browning and eventually it reverted to its proper name and the one we know it by today — the SIG Sauer P220. The P220 became and still is very popular with law enforcement. They were already excellent weapons, but as we all know any autoloader can be benefit from a good reliability package. Boredom came over TJ again. Normally, a bored gunsmith is a dangerous thing, but in this case the boredom was channeled into exotic modifications and new inventions. You really have to take a look at his web site, as his 392008-09-29T16:38:33+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=40http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=40S UPER IGs DUTY READY JEWELRY2008-09-29T16:38:33+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=41http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=412008-09-29T16:38:33+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=42http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=42volume of excellent work is far too great for this one article. Not Too Exotic I had an older P226 and a P229 sitting in the safe at home and decided to send them to TJ — just to see what he could do. My only requirements were the guns were actually duty weapons and therefore could not be too exotic. Let’s take the modification concept right up to the edge of the envelope but not so far as to have some rangemaster ban 42 them from the field. So unfortunately, flames, cattle horns, bayonet lugs with matching bayonet cutlery and engravings of naked women were off the table. Stunned And Bedazzled A few weeks later a package from TJ’s arrived. After opening it and looking at the two guns, I was stunned. The SIG Master had taken two very pedestrian and utilitarian pistols and turned them into the most stunning SIG pistols I ever laid eyes on. The metal work, stippling, finishing and grip woodwork was meticulous and can only be compared with jewelry from high-end New York custom jewelers the likes of Cartier or Tiffany and Company. Hogue Grips of Paso Robles, California, provided the presentation quality cocobolo wood grips. TJ inlayed miniature badges from my former department on both sides and XS Sights provided their Big Dot sight system for both guns. I believe them to be the fastest gun-fighting sights avail- WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 20082008-09-29T16:38:33+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=43http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=43ested if the gun will get you through a really bad day. These will. Handheld from a bench at 25 yds., both shot 2.5' 5-shot groups using Federal 9mm 147gr. HST duty ammo. I’m sure they’d do even better in a Ransom but who’d want to remove those beautiful grips. Besides, what difference would a 1.5" group versus a 2.5" group make in a real fight. I’d be happy with center of mass. SIG 226 Deluxe Sig Action Job — Match Quality Work Custom Mainspring TJ Stainless Short Trigger Throat And Polish Barrel And Feed Ramp Fit And Polish Extractor Semi-Bob Hammer Spur Jewell Barrel Jewell Extractor Checker Magazine Release Polish Barrel Tip Polish Guide Rod Tip High Polished Stainless Steel Grip Screws Remove Trigger Guard Hook ASP Relieve Cut Trigger Guard Stipple Trigger Guard Stipple Front Strap Extreme Melt Job (Polish And De-Burr Sharp Edges And Corners) 60% Plating — Hard Chrome (Slide And All External Small Parts) Black Teflon On Frame Only Slide Catch — Heat And Bend Grips — Presentation Cocobolo Smooth Grip Inlays 2 Sides Dayglo Highlight On Front Sight XS Sights Less And More These two guns represent the extreme of what TJ can do to a SIG and still remain duty authorized. He can do a lot less or a lot more. Just look at his web site and see. A reliability package and his trigger job would be the very least I would want to take in the field. More Info: www.tjscustomgunworks.com www.xssights.com www.getgrip.com www.sigsauer.com able — especially in reduced light. TJ also modified the sights by changing the white outer ring of the front sight to Day-Glo green. But, the real question was: is this a case of the cliché beautiful woman turning out to be stuck for an answer when you say good morning? Remembering these guns need to be duty ready, will they perform? So off to the range we go. Sig 229 Deluxe SIG Action Job — Match Quality Work Custom Mainspring TJ Stainless Short Trigger Throat And Polish Barrel And Feed Ramp Fit And Polish Extractor Full-Bob Hammer Spur Jewell Barrel Jewell Extractor Polish Barrel Tip Polish Guide Rod Tip High Polished Stainless Steel Grip Screws ASP Relieve Cut Trigger Guard Stipple Trigger Guard Stipple Front Strap Extreme Melt Job (Polish And De-Burr Sharp Edges — Corners) 60% Plating - Hard Chrome (Slide And All External Small Parts) Black Teflon On Frame Only Checker Magazine Release Slide Catch — Heat And Bend Grips — Presentation Cocobolo Smooth Grip Inlays 2 Sides Dayglo Highlight On Front Sight XS Sights 43 Not Just A Pretty Face To stay with the same analogy, these two beauties are frigging geniuses. The standard double/single trigger systems were smooth as silk and as crisp as a brand new $100 bill. The single action pull was set at about 4 lbs. and the double was about 8 lbs. The traditional SIG reset was always problematic to me, as it felt like you had to let off almost to the point of having your finger leave the trigger. Not now, reset is about .25" from fully depressed and gives you a positive, audible and tactile “snick” each time. Accuracy was also outstanding and far better than I could shoot the guns. I’ve never been one for including accuracy charts when it comes to a duty gun. I’m only interWWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM2008-09-29T16:38:33+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=44http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=44DT INSTRUCTORS: ARE YOU A SME OR A SOB? Attitude 44 W e all went through defensive tactics in the academy and, if you are like most, you woke up the next morning bruised, sore, and often cursing your instructor. The stereotypical images of the DT guy are generally twofold; he’s either a steroid enhanced shaved ape or a Chuck Norris stuntdouble in white pajamas. A while back, I was discussing a new training knife with some cops and the knee-jerk reaction of a member of my audience was “Great, something new for the DT guys to torture us with.” Unfortunately, too many cops share that opinion. It’s the feeling their department’s defensive tactics instructor is actually a closet sadist who genuinely enjoys inflicting unnecessary pain on a semi-annual basis. I’ve heard innumerable bitches and complaints from cops when it was time for defensive tactics training. We’ve all heard the complaints about live OC exposure or Taser training, batons, PPCT — it doesn’t matter subject. “They didn’t shoot me with my pistol. Why do I have to get peppersprayed or Tasered?” Yes, I know every agency has its share of weenies, there to collect a paycheck while doing the absolute least amount of work possible. Weenies aside, are trainers partially guilty for the apprehension our officers have when it comes to DT/Use of Force training? Think about it for a moment. When you get on the mats in your gym is your first impulse to give the troops the best DT training you can or is it a chance to prove your machismo? Yes, we’ve got to demonstrate the proper methods for our approved techniques — that’s a given. However, we’re there to help students improve not to prove what a badass we are? Instructors must be the S.M.E. (subject matter expert). In order for your students to take the training seriously, they’ll need to view you as the expert. So, how can you be a SME without being a SOB. Don’t take yourself too seriously. Be honest, do you ever laugh, smile, or joke around? Sure, defensive tactics training is serious business, but you don’t have to be glum or stone faced all the time. If you make a mistake — we all do — do you get pissed and frustrated or do you laugh it off? Self-deprecating humor will go a long way toward making your students comfortable and you seem like a human. Perception Be aware of how you are perceived. Yes, it does matter. While you might see yourself as merely taking the training seriously, your students might perceive you as arrogant or WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 20082008-09-29T16:38:33+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=45http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=45Paul Markel even condescending. Along the same vein, if challenged by the class “know-itall,” resist the temptation to put the smart ass little twerp in his place. Be ready to back up what you’re teaching your troops. I’ve long subscribed to the Dizzy Dean “It ain’t braggin’ if you can do it” theory. Take corrective action, ensure everyone understands, but do it without completely humiliating the person. If you are truly a SME and a personable instructor, the troops will deal with the smart ass in their own way. I know it’s hard and I’m not telling you to eat a bag of crap, but resist the urge to verbally or legitimately choke the snot out of the “smart guy.” This will put you a step above. Leadership Starts From The Top While discussing this piece with a fellow cop and trainer, he observed, rarely does the boss ever show up for training. If you genuinely want your troops to take you and the training seriously, the boss has to back you up. How many agencies out there officially mandate DT training but the Chief, Sheriff, Major, Captain or Lieutenants, never seem to show up? One of the most courageous (or dangerous) career moves you might have to make is facing your boss and or supervisors and encouraging them to attend the very training they’ve mandated. If the Chief or Sheriff truly believes in the training, they should be the first ones in line for the class. When your rookies bitch about getting a live Taser hit or OC exposure it’s nice to fall back on the fact the boss did it before they did — so quit whining. However, if the senior leadership members have all exempted themselves from training it’s another story. Perhaps the rookie has a point. “Why do I get Tasered when the Chief Deputy won’t do it?” Ass Kickin’ And Beer I’ve had several DT instructors that were both great instructors and personable too. You know the guy; the one who could kick your ass in the morning and you could have a beer with in the afternoon. A little personality can go a long way; if you don’t have one, check EBay. Seriously though, try not to take yourself too seriously and add a bit of humor to your training. As a Subject Matter Expert you must know you topic inside and out. Keep your own training current and maintain a positive enthusiastic attitude. You can’t expect your students to be enthusiastic about the training if you aren’t. Attitudes are contagious — both positive and negative. Can you be a SME without being a SOB? Sure you can. Get rid of that scowl, know your stuff and have some fun with it. WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM * 452008-09-29T16:38:33+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=46http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=46Bob Pilgrim POCKET INSURRECTION Just Another Day In Indian Country D uring the winter of 1973, 83 years after the massacre of almost 150 American Indians at Wounded Knee, SD by the US military, a contingent of the radical American Indian Movement members and their armed supporters invaded that small rural, Pine Ridge Indian Reservation town and turned it into an armed camp. The local catholic priest and several towns’ people were abducted, held hostage and the church desecrated. Weapons ranged from .22 and heavier caliber hunting rifles to at least one AK 47. Upon its eventual seizure other FBI agents and I fired it so we could testify it was a fully functioning automatic weapon. The siege lasted 71 days and during that time there were frequent exchanges of long and short-range gunfire. Two occupiers were killed, a US marshal paralyzed and an FBI agent wounded. I was ordered to report to Rapid City, SD and be prepared to stay for two weeks. I didn’t return home until 57 days later. During that time my wife had painted the whole house. I drove a Bureau car from Minneapolis, MN and was armed with my .357 M19 revolver and Remington 870 shotgun. After some minor brushes with AIM in Rapid City and a major riot in Custer, SD where a large AIM mob battled the SD Highway Patrol and burned down part of the town, I was sent with a small contingent of agents to Pine Ridge. My first assignment was to guard the local High School — alone. Pine Ridge is the second largest reservation in the country. It’s huge and agents were spread around the county seat, but I didn’t see any Bureau of Indian Affairs police. Pine Ridge wasn’t AIM’s target and overnight they raided and forcibly occupied the town of Wounded Knee. Using a backhoe they honeycombed the built up area with bunkers, trenches, communications trenches, roadblocks and strong points. In response, we immediately established roadblocks to isolate the village and prevent reinforcements from entering. Hasty Perimeter And Spam Initially in raincoats, suits and ties, we occupied the roadblocks for days, living out of our vehicles. We would have starved except for the care and concern of a white missionary woman and her Sioux husband. They came every morning in their jalopy and fed us scrambled eggs, black coffee and ugh, Spam. The first night of the roadblock, I confiscated a scoped 7mm magnum rifle and Randal sheath knife from a young brave claiming to be a Vietnam veteran. At our first opportunity, we drove, with Rebellion 46 WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 20082008-09-29T16:38:33+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=47http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=47red light flashing, toward a darkened reservation gas station and sporting goods shop. Inside its blacked out interior the owners and their sons with AR15 rifles awaited an anticipated nasty visit from AIM. I managed to purchase 20 rounds for the captured bolt gun and augmented our strong point with it. Eventually, we contracted our perimeter into a very loose nine-mile circumference of roadblocks and strong points. But, with so much wild country in between regiments of rebels could have marched totally unnoticed into AIM’s swelling ranks. Their greatest problem was sustaining everybody, so they started cattle rustling to feed the growing crowd of dissidents. Trouble was the city slicker Indians didn’t know how to butcher the animals once killed. More Firepower I was positioned at the “Porcupine” roadblock (named after the nearest village) with four to six agents. As things got more serious, headquarters in DC sent members of the Firearms Training Unit and through military assistance to civil authorities we received M16 rifles, Armored Personnel Carriers from the National Guard — all were operated by agents. We had to return to the tribal and FBI field headquarters via a circuitous overland route to pick up our new rifles. At the issue point, I was handed a black rifle, ammo bandoleers and magazines from one of the two first female FBI agents in the Bureau, who had — in HQ’s infinite wisdom — been sent to the war. Red headed former Woman Marine Captain Sue looked me straight in the eye and amused me immensely by asking me if I knew how to use it? Moving closer so she could smell my filthy body as well as bad breath I exhaled, “After two tours in Vietnam as a Marine infantry company commander, I sure the ---- hope so,” turned and left. The other female agent was a former nun. She was okay and proved herself under fire. The rifles had aluminum selector blocks installed, so they couldn’t run fully automatic. These were promptly broken off providing most of us with select fire capability. AIM Attacks One evening all hell broke loose. Toward dusk, an AIM force attacked the Manderson roadblock and pinned the agents down. As the radio traffic built in intensity, I couldn’t stand it anymore and decided to help. I hopped in my Impala and turned it into a veritable four wheel drive. I lurched up a steep hill and began to negotiate a cattle trail roughly connecting the two blocks. After a few miles of bouncing from rut to rut, I noticed a bunch of headlights to my right. It was getting darker and darker Continued on page 68 WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM 472008-09-29T16:38:33+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=48http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=48WE’VE GOT YOUR BACK — AND YOUR GIFT LIST GIFT GUIDE W e know you. You’re the cop who has an instant plan for every situation, from a chemical-tanker explosion on the crosstown freeway to an Elbonian satellite falling out of orbit and landing on City Hall — an interesting theme, by the way — but when it comes to Christmas shopping for your badge-wearing brothers and sisters, you come up with exactly squat — or worse. Last year’s brilliant idea was to give everyone on your list the same sock-top moccasin-bottom slippers, all the same colors and same size: “Medium-Largish.” And you thought they would come paired up in individual boxes, rather than loose, all in one crate, didn’t you? At that price? No worries, folks — we picked some winners for you. There are too many features to print in this space, so go to the Web sites for mech & tech details and ever-changing prices, okay? Now bust out the plastic, get on the net, and check out the goodies. 2008 CHRISTMAS The Tactical Pen from SureFire is a superb writing instrument — and a handy weapon. The Tactical Pen by SureFire may be the last pen you’ll ever buy – if you get one for yourself as well as your giftee. CNC machined from aerospace grade aluminum in SureFire’s Edged Weapons Division and then mil-spec anodized, it is a superb writing instrument, an impact weapon and pain compliance device. The tailcap features a rounded, anti-snag steel glass-breaker, and the Schmidt Technology ink cartridge glides smoothly over the rocky parts of your reports… This is truly a lifetime pen for a lifelong friend. For More Info: www.surefire.com 48 WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 20082008-09-29T16:38:33+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=49http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=49John Connor Spyderco’s “Police” model still gets great “street reviews” after 24 years of service. All your pals carry cuffs, and they all need cuff keys, right? ASP not only makes great cuffs and batons, their Tactical Handcuff Key makes a terrific looking gift at a great price. Aside from several different extended-shaft models, ASP offers over sixty different inset medallions, including state seals, police, tactical and sheriff’s insignia, plus medallions for all military services – even one for K-9 handlers. While you’re browsing through them at your local cop-shop, check out ASP’s Breakaway window-shattering device, which uses three ceramic pins. It positions under any ASP baton cap, and keeps your unprotected hands away from broken glass. For More Info: www.asp-usa.com Since its introduction in 1984, Spyderco’s Police model has been a big seller both for its elegant lines and sheer strength. The 4-1⁄8" hollow-ground VG-10 blade is available in PlainEdge, CombinationEdge and fully serrated SpyderEdge. The all-stainless version is ideal for engraving or embossing, and the lightweight textured G-10-handled model (shown) is virtually bombproof for rugged on-duty use. Your giftee may already own a good duty folder – but none better. For More Info: www.spyderco.com With ASP’s cuff keys, there’s a custom-design medallion for everyone on your gift list – at a nice price. You can give the gift of goofy grins with a pack of Zombie Targets — “The Only Target That Will Eat Your Brain.” The first time I saw Bob, Chuck and Steve I thought, Whoa! I know these guys! I’ve arrested `em! The 23x35” targets are printed on 60-pound stock, and have subdued imprinted scoring zones in head and chest areas. Here’s a humanoid target you won’t get sued over because it depicts “protected classes.” There aren’t even any whining advocate organizations agitating for the rights of the flesh-eating living dead. If you missed military service during the Zombie Wars, you can re-live those weird times by ordering singles, threes or ten-packs. Hey, it’s a cop-owned company too, so each sale benefits a badge-carrying brother. For More Info: www.zombietargets.net WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM Zombies — the Living Dead — aren’t a federally protected class yet, so blast away and blow `em to hell. (Note: Zombies and “other non-living animated entities” may soon be listed as “endangered” in California and New York.) 492008-09-29T16:38:33+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=50http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=50No matter what, watch your giftees work they need a good flashlight, because some of the darkest, most dangerous places you’ll ever walk into are pitch-black 24/7/365, right? The Safariland RLS – Rapid Light System – is a compact 65-lumen tactical light with “magic morphing mutant” features. The RLS clips on belt or pocket, with a non-marring clip, can be used like a conventional flashlight, and in two seconds it snaps onto a pistol’s rail mount. The RLS is ambidextrous and runs over fifty hours on three AAA batteries. For More Info: www.safariland.com Safariland’s RLS Rapid Light System is a complete tactical light system — and ambidextrous too. This one’s for your buddy who shuffles out of the locker room with his patrol gear in a stained cardboard box and a gunnysack. The Hardigg Storm Case iM2500 with Utility Organizer nestles files, comms, field-office supplies and laptop computers in the same air-and-watertight heavy-duty HPX Resin shell that’s been protecting your guns and optics so well. The iM2500 has all their usual features like padlockable hasps, flush-mounted hinges, and self-regulating Vortex valve. It’s even built to meet TSA and airline carry-on regulations, and has a telescoping handle and in-line wheels. For More Info: www.stormcase.com. The Storm Case iM2500 with Utility Organizer gives the strength of a premium gun case and versatility to handle your patrol gear. For your badge packin’ pals of the female flavor, the Tactical Handbag from BLACKHAWK! is sure to please. Roomy, durable, secure and comfortable to carry, the Tactical Handbag will hold, well, almost everything a lady seems to need in her purse, plus of course a pistol-pocket for her huge handcannon. I can’t claim any knowledge or expertise in the field of ladies’ handbags, but the ladies of the Connor Clan sure like this one. The best part? It doesn’t even come in magenta, mauve or salmon-belly pink, just black, coyote tan and foliage green, so you won’t even puke while you wrap it. For More Info: www.blackhawk.com. The Tactical Handbag from BLACKHAWK! holds and secures her lipstick, knife, eye shadow, tactical strobing light, hairbrush and handcannon – everything a lady needs for work or a night on the town. 50 WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 20082008-09-29T16:38:33+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=51http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=51Here’s a gift idea that’ll make you seem smart, thoughtful, and considerate. Yeah, even you! Hatch has been making fine police gloves and duty gear for forty years, and if you’ve ever reached into a scumbag’s pocket and been stuck with a still-dripping needle, you — and your giftee — will appreciate Hatch’s Friskmaster series. The Honeywell Spectra lining provides twice the puncture and cut resistance of the same weight in Kevlar and still gives the wearer excellent weapon-handling capabilities. Just visit your local cop-shop, negotiate your best deal on two or more pair (keeping one for yourself, of course) and prepay the others. They’ll need to come in to get the right fit. Put their receipt in a Christmas card and you’re good to go, without dealing with the horrors and frustration of gift-wrapping! For More Info: www.hatch-corp.com. Friskmaster gloves by Hatch are great protection from cuts and punctures without unnecessary thickness and stiffness. This is a gift that goes to work, comes home, goes everywhere with ease – and is the brightest little backup light around. At 3.3" long and weighing only 3.1oz, the NovaTac 120T delivers 3, 10, or a blazing 120 lumens, with a fastactivation disorienting strobe function just a single tailcap press away. Waterproof and made of the finest materials including an anti-reflective coated polycarbonate lens, the 120T is small in size but huge on performance. The sturdy pocket clip detaches for smoother in-pocket carry, and the user can power it with either a C R123A or Li-Ion (4.2v) rechargeable battery. You will want one for yourself. For More Info: www.novatac.com Now, for your old patrol partner who’s been packing his two-inch Chief’s Special in his right front pocket for so long that the outline “print” is permanent, here’s a much better alternative: Bianchi’s model 4501 Pocket Change holster. A slick nylon lining provides a smooth draw, while the rubberized textured front anchors the holster in place in a pocket. There are models for popular compact pistols as well, and a matching model 4515 magazine holder. So you can’t afford to buy him a new gun – get him something to protect it, and make it more efficient. For More Info: www.bianchi-intl.com Small in size, high in performance – NovaTac’s new 120T is blazing-bright, easy to use and made in the USA! Bianchi’s Model 4501 “Pocket Change” eliminates “printing” that backup piece in your pocket and speeds your draw. That’s it for this year from us, troops. Shop from this list and you can do some serious damage control on your reputation, lingering from that slipper-socks incident last year. Just a closing note: If you decide to try that one again, remember when you’re packaging them, “one left foot, one right foot.” For most people, anyway. * 51 WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM2008-09-29T16:38:33+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=52http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=52Dave Grossi LOWERING three weeks before the expansion was announced. So far, 1,000 new agents have already been hired. The agency also shortened their basic recruit school by two weeks down from 19 down to 17 weeks. Another worry is the rate with which new candidates are being interviewed. One veteran agent, a former academy instructor, said new agent candidates might not be getting the level of scrutiny received in past years. In response, an agency spokesperson said concerns are unwarranted since a lot of the former 19-week academy content was duplicative; and cited Constitutional Law is going to be removed from the curriculum because the basics of Con Law are addressed in another course and a couple of other classes also slated for removal will be worked into the FTO program. wo AP stories recently caught my eye. The first came out of the US Border Patrol Academy in Artesia, New Mexico. It was the headline that caught my attention because it had to do with the official announcement regarding the staffing level. In case you missed it, the Border Patrol is committed to raising its authorized strength from 12,000 agents to 18,000 agents by the end of this year. If there is one agency needing extra manpower, it’s definitely the Border Patrol. However, after reading the entire story, the real crux of the story wasn’t so much the 6,000 agent increase, but concern on the minds of the rank and file that this staffing push will, in fact, cause the agency to actually lower standards. Some agents predict this new hiring surge will actually create a shortage of qualified veteran FTOs due to this mass influx of recruits. Their concern is understandable considering the following facts. T 52 Constitution — Who Needs I t? I don’t know about you, but it seems Constitutional Law is one of the last courses an agency would want to cut out of a law enforcement training program. Constitutional Law concepts are so important it’s one of only two required courses at the FBI National Academy. Every veteran police officer attending the FBI NA, regardless of rank or educational background, must WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2008 Academy The Border Patrol academy recently started running two 50student classes each week compared to one class every two to2008-09-29T16:38:33+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=53http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=53STANDARDS? take the 11-week Con Law course. I know — I’ve been there. Ethical Awareness Regarding the vetting process for prospective candidates, this spokesperson said in essence, “not to worry,” ethics training and mentoring will help detect and weed out unqualified candidates. Retired Border Patrol agent, Jim Dorcy, who has also served as an Internal Affairs agent, wasn’t convinced. He was quoted in this newspaper story saying he expects more ethical problems to emerge because of the tight hiring deadline and the high numbers of candidates being pushed through the screening process and the shortened academy. I’ve always had my doubts about the concept of ethics training for police recruits. I wholeheartedly agree with Ethical Awareness courses for supervisors. New bosses need to know how to address ethical issues. But, if law enforcement agencies hired ethical people to begin with rather than trying to rely on ethics training to create honest cops, we’d have a lot fewer problems with corruption. And, isn’t hiring ethical people pretty much the focus of the entire screening process? Thorough background checks which include extensive and WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM frequent face-to-face interviews, financial institution inquires, past employer contacts, elementary, high school and college attendance records and transcripts, state and NCIC checks along with DMV histories, are just the start of a screening process designed ions ago by most municipal police agencies. As a detective, I conducted my share of background checks and also had to undergo my share of background checks. I’m glad my past partners both in the military and law enforcement had to go through the same process. Drugs And Run-ins The second AP story had to do with relaxing fitness standards for police recruits, but buried in that story were a couple of “side bar” comments made by two police spokespersons dealing with the overall theme of lowering hiring standards across the country. A Fort Myers (FL) Police Department spokesperson speaking on their decision to overlook “occasional use of drugs such as Ecstasy and powdered cocaine” was quoted as saying that because “there’s a lot of drugs out there” the department would “hate to rule them (new recruits) out because of that.” 532008-09-29T16:38:33+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=54http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=54The AP writer ended his story with an LAPD sergeant’s comment on the same theme of not ruling out candidates for past “run-ins with the law” by emphasizing that “we’re not looking for perfect people.” By the way, this sergeant’s job is evaluating and hiring the 1,000 new candidates the LAPD needs. Not looking for perfect people? Departments should be looking for perfect people in their quest to hire the best. Perfection may be a pretty high standard, but by not even looking for the “perfect candidate” you’re setting the bar pretty low. Candidates who’ve demonstrated a complete disrespect for themselves by ingesting controlled substances or who’ve demonstrated contempt for the law by breaking it and then expecting to get hired to enforce it, aren’t worthy of wearing the same uniform and shield that I did. Accepting minimum standards makes for minimally qualified officers. Let’s set perfection as a standard for officers and students. I’ll even accept excellent or maybe even outstanding, but never very good, good or fair. We shouldn’t condone lowering standards for law enforcement officers just to attract new applicants. At a time when everybody and their brother are watching and recording every thing a cops do on the streets, for the Border Patrol to speed up its vetting process, shorten the duration of its training program and eliminate Constitutional Law in addition to other curriculum from its syllabus doesn’t seem prudent when border security is undoubtedly one of the most important and vital areas of law enforcement today. Raise The Bar For Fort Myers PD or the LAPD to overlook occasional use of Ecstasy or cocaine or past “run-ins with the law” in their efforts to hire new cops doesn’t fair well in the hearts and minds of most of us. Most agencies want to heighten the public’s perceptions of professionalism and respect within their communities, not risk lowering it by encouraging drug users or law breakers to enter their ranks — or by shortening their basic recruit schools. Agencies should be setting the bar higher and raising their standards, not lowering them. US Border Patrol, US Customs and the INS currently have great men and women — they deserve better. In fact, they deserve the best. So do the rest of the law enforcement agencies in our country. * Dave Grossi is a retired police lieutenant from upstate New York, a combat veteran of Vietnam and former lead instructor with the Calibre Press, Inc. Street Survival Seminars. He welcomes your comments. GrossiDave@aol.com 54 WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 20082008-09-29T16:38:33+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=55http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=55Shooting With X-Ray Vision PART II Pelvis and hip anatomy. Weight-bearing triangle is outlined on left in blue. General location of the vascular bundle of arteries of veins is outlined on right in red. The brainstem consists of three primary structures: the midbrain (A), pons (B) and medulla oblongata (C), close to the cerebellum (D) which provides coord-ination and relays messages to the body through the spinal cord (G). ETHICS OF DEADLY FORCE TRAINING James S. Williams MD Anatomy of the bony pelvis (posterior view) on model at Tactical Anatomy class. Doc illustrates location of the weight-bearing triangle on model in a Tactical Anatomy class in Florida, 2005. t a 2007 law enforcement training conference the wife of one of the attendees criticized me sharply for training cops in Tactical Anatomy. She contended, quite rightly, if cops shoot more effectively more felons are going to be killed. “Excuse me,” I replied. “What part of the term “deadly force” don’t you understand?” I went on to explain, as a physician, I’m supposed to be a healer. Critics assert my training methods violate medical ethics. I respond with these words from the Hippocratic Oath: “Do good, but first do no harm”. A To heal a patient, sometimes a doctor needs to cause harm. There is no question that cutting a man’s belly open causes him harm. But to not cut in order to remove a ruptured appendix imposes a death sentence from infection — obviously a greater harm. This illustrates the Doctrine of Competing Harms: when faced with two harmful options, the physician must choose the less harmful one. I justify training cops to shoot with X-ray vision by the same doctrine: Not teaching 3D targeting skills results in more cops’ bullets missing — in turn more criminals will be able to Continued on page 58 55 WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM2008-09-29T16:38:33+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=56http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=56ON THEJOB COMMANDER GILMORE A CAREFULLY SELECTED COLLECTION OF SLAPSHOTS AND SNOT-FLINGIN’ FUNNY STUFF FROM FELLOW COPS. BETTER THAN COMPUTERS – THE COUNTY CLERK’S GRAPEVINE f you’ve been a cop for over ten minutes, you know the computer doesn’t access the best info sources. They are “organic databases;” non-sworn employees like records clerks and dispatchers. Dianne Carnes, 31, prob’ly would have been on the fugitive list for months if the Scotts Bluff, Nebraska “county clerk’s chat-line” hadn’t snared her. Carnes’ name was already known to the clerk’s crew, since she was arrested and then convicted for DUI and driving on a suspended license in 2007. It came up again recently after she threatened a juror who served at her trial. A warrant for that threat was issued on Monday, March 17, and of course, a clerk processed it. That rang chimes with another clerk, who had just taken a call from Carnes, arranging a wedding at the courthouse on Tuesday. You can guess where this one’s goin’, right? Yup. When Carnes arrived for her wedding — fashionably late, allowing all the guests in the wedding party to get I there ahead of her — deputies stepped in and slapped the cuffs on. She was probably expecting some other kinda jewelry that day, like a ring, maybe. We’re thinking the guests enjoyed the show a lot more than your average courthouse wedding. Art: Jerry Meloche JUST PUT IT IN THE TRUNK LIKE OTHER CROOKS, MORON B 56 urleigh County deputies were only being helpful when they stopped a vehicle on I-94 in North Dakota. There was steam billowing out from under the hood, and they presumed the driver was trying to get to a service station before it blew. Figuring they might save him from a seized engine or fire and offer him a ride, they hit the party lights and pulled him over. Once stopped, Johnny Lerma, 37, didn’t seem very grateful for their intervention — and as the seconds ticked by, he became more and more nervous. When a deputy offered to look under the hood and perhaps diagnose the problem, Johnny got really tense. They popped the hood. What they found was a large, well-sealed package jammed up tight against the air intake, causing the engine to overheat. Of course, the parcel was stuffed with a fragrant vegetable material well known to peace officers and discriminating bong soloists. Deputies not only gave Johnny that ride, but arranged evening accommodations for him… IF HE CAN GRAB YA, HE DOESN’T NEED TO SEE YA I ndianapolis PD officers responding to a hot prowl call were prepared to be impressed with the citizenvictim. Dispatch told them 49-year old Allan Kieta had caught the suspect inside his home, grappeled with him, won the fight and was holding the suspect at knifepoint. When they arrived and learned Kieta is blind, they were really impressed. Kieta told officers when he heard his dog whining sorta nervously, he got Continued on page 64 Got something to share? Send it to me at OnTheJobStuff@Yahoo.com and if I use it, I’ll fish around in my desk and find some kinda cheap gizmo to send you. WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 20082008-09-29T16:38:33+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=57http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=57LOSE SIGHT FOR A SECOND AND YOU’RE OUT OF THE FIGHT 4 PM. STOLEN CAR. You need to see everything. everything The shine of a knife, the glint of a gun. You need to see their hands. Good thing your sunglasses aren’t just sunglasses. They’re Revision Hellfly. Made by the leader in ballistic eyewear for the military worldwide. And Hellfly is made for you. High impact protection, state of the art optics, 100% UV and wraparound lenses to keep you covered on all sides. All under one ounce. So you’re ready for the worst, ready with the best. That’s Revision Ready. PROVEN UNDER FIRE* “Any situation can turn bad, quick… Why take a chance with anything other than Revision. It’s not worth the risk.” – Federal Law Enforcement Officer BE REVISION READY www.revisioneyewear.com M I S S I O N C R I T I C A L E Y E W E A R® *12 gauge shotgun, 1-1/8oz #7.5 lead shot, 1,148 ft/s velocity at 16 feet. ©2008 REVISION EYEWEAR LTD. HELLFLY™ AND REVISION® ARE TRADEMARKS OF REVISION EYEWEAR LTD, 7 CORPORATE DRIVE, ESSEX JUNCTION, VT 054522008-09-29T16:38:33+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=58http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=58SHOOTING WITH X-RAY Continued from page 55 return fire — by inaction this would cause greater harm to good people in uniform. And frankly, I’ll pick the cop over the bad guy every time. Cops already understand the Doctrine of Competing Harms, or they wouldn’t be doing the job. We all learned in early childhood it’s wrong to hit, stab, or shoot people. But society expects cops to do exactly that when circumstances require, because society operates under the same ethical doctrine. Society doesn’t want cops to enjoy employing deadly force, but it expects them to be good at it. And getting cops good at it is what Tactical Anatomy is all about. Alternative Targeting In the first article of this series, we discussed why the upper mediastinum is the recommended primary target for cops facing a deadly opponent. But sometimes there’s a need for an alternative. Spring, 2007: cops in a Midwestern city responded to a call to a man threatening with a knife. The knife brandishing subject threatened to kill the officers confronting him. He charged and was shot in the chest several times with no apparent effect. One of the officers fired a round into the subject’s lateral pelvis, shattering the pelvis and hip joint. He crashed to the ground and was disarmed and subdued. Surgeons were able to fix the holes in his chest, but were unable to repair the damage to the nerves and blood vessels in his pelvis and his leg was subsequently amputated at the hip. This illustrates the need for alternative target solutions to the mediastinum. Even though the bullets had done severe damage to vital organs in his chest, the subject was able to continue his attack. Failure Drills Fail We all know the term “failure drill”: fire a double-tap to center of mass, then fire a shot into the head zone of the target. Alternatively, we perform a “nonstandard response” (NSR) consisting of 5 or more rounds to COM. But the reality is failure drills and NSRs often fail on the street. We’ve learned training to “double-tap-thenassess” is a recipe for getting cops killed (more on this in Part 3). Also, more and more felons are wearing body armor. We need to train our people in more reliable alternate targeting. Gunfight circumstances may take the mediastinum and CNS vital zones off the menu. Consider the example above, or the North Hollywood bank robbery. In cases like these extreme distance, body armor, subject mobility or a combination of these WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2008 Visit us online at 582008-09-29T16:38:33+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=59http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=592008-09-29T16:38:33+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=60http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=60take away the mediastinum and CNS as effective targets. That’s why I recommend the lateral pelvis as the first alternative target. Note that I don’t say “the pelvis.” Like center of “mass”, the pelvis means different things to different people. Too many people think they can simply lower their sights down the midline, but between the navel and the ‘nads there’s nothing but intestines, and gut shooting a man won’t make him quit fighting. To make an incapacitating hit, you need to move your sights down and laterally to where the important stuff is. So what exactly is the important stuff, anyway? First, the bones that transfer the weight of the torso down to the legs. Orthopedic surgeons call this the weight bearing triangle (Fig. 1). If these bones are shattered by a bullet, the subject is rendered physically incapable of remaining upright. Second, the large-bore arteries and veins supplying the legs run through this same area and actually represent a greater target area than the mediastinum. I’ve trained to consider the lateral pelvis as the first alternate target zone for years. There are a lot of cases and studies backing this up. Recently Henk Iversen of Strike Tactical Inc., one of the most innovative trainers in America, told me he agrees. Iversen’s extensive experience in military and SWAT duty in South Africa taught him personnel in CQB situations should use the lateral pelvis as a primary target. I’ve debriefed other guys who have spent time on the sharp end of the spear in The Sandbox who echo Iversen’s doctrine. Take Out Command Center The brain is fueled by oxygen. In a normal state, the brain has enough oxygen stores to maintain intentional action for 7-10 seconds even if its blood supply is cut off. In an excited state brought on by drugs or psychosis, greater oxygen stores may permit violent actions for 10-15 seconds or more. But sometimes, such as a situation where a felon is holding a hostage at gunpoint, you don’t have ten seconds. You need to put him down now, and that means shutting down the central nervous system (CNS). The problem is cops aren’t taught what part of the CNS they need to target in this situation. The vital zone is the brainstem, the relay station between conscious thought and purposeful motion. This zone is small, and deep inside the skull. A bullet through the brainstem will cause immediate incapacitation of the subject. Contrary to Hollywood mythology, a subject shot here won’t reflexively shoot the bystander he holds at gunpoint. His muscles will go limp and he will collapse. While a high-power rifle bullet any60 WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 20082008-09-29T16:38:33+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=61http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=61LAW ENFORCEMENT & MILITARY PERSONNEL RECEIVE A 10% DISCOUNT ON DPMS PARTS & ACCESSORIES! Thermal Imaging . . . 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ACOP • St. Cloud, MN 56304 (p) 1-320-258-4448, Ext. 2267 • (f) 1-320-258-4449 • (e) dpms@dpmsinc.com where in the brain is an almost certain fight-stopper, the lower energy of handgun bullets requires more precision. There are numerous cases of individuals with handgun bullets in their brains who continued to fight because a cop’s bullet did not take out the vital brainstem. Moreover, the cranium has a distinct curve to it, and — particularly handgun bullets — can literally bounce off the sloped bone. Precise aim is required, but any competent police marksman can make this shot within his confidence range. The brainstem is a great alternative to the mediastinum. Despite being a small — and often a moving — target, in specific situations the brainstem is the best vital target zone and cops need to know how to take it out with precision. In Tactical Anatomy training we emphasize the need to “see” vital target zones, not just surface landmarks. A tragic tale underscoreing this was related to me by a SWAT commander a few years ago. His sniper had an armed hostage-taker in his sights, using the felon’s ear as his aiming point, as he’d been trained. All the sniper’s training had been on flat ranges, but in this case he was aiming down at a 30 degree angle. When the green light was given his bullet hit his intended surface target, WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM Standard Image Insight’s Ultra VOx Image ® Insight’s MTM is controlled for export under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (22 C.F.R. 120-130) and require U.S. Government authorization prior to the export or transfer to a non-U.S. Person. Co-aligned, Integral Laser Pointer 320 x 240 Resolution 2X Digital Zoom 160 Digital Image Capture Adjustable Focus Menu Driven Functions Rugged, Militarized Design 12 oz. with Batteries Waterproof up to 66’ Toll Free: 877-744-4802 but missed the CNS entirely. The felon was severely wounded, but before he fell he pulled his own trigger, wounding the hostage. That department now faces two lawsuits. Piecing Things Together Cops on America’s streets face unprecedented challenges and, as we all know from reading the papers, America’s criminals are increasingly willing to shoot it out. Studies by people like Dr. Bill Lewinski have shown us the offender has the initial advantage in a gunfight because felons initiate the violence and cops react in response. This puts the cop “behind the curve” at the outset of the gunfight. But by knowing where to place bullets with certainty, cops can overtake the advantage, using their superior knowledge and training to make effective shots to finish the fight decisively. Teaching the anatomy of the vital target zones gives you the beginnings of that advantage. The next step is hard-wiring that knowledge into our brains through the use of carefully crafted training translating knowledge into effective gunfighting skills. In our third and final installment we’ll discuss hard-wiring 3D anatomic visua2008-09-29T16:38:33+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=62http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=62CARRY OPTIONS Continued from page 34 O.D. green, and coyote brown. Five rows of stitching running the length of the belt results in a rigid gunbelt that can take a beating. Another great economical gunbelt is BLACKHAWK!’s CQC Pistol Belt. These synthetic belts provide strength and stability and are available in several finishes including plain, faux gator, faux lizard and Carbon-Fiber. They’re available in 1.25" or 1.5" widths. These gunbelts are a tremendous value. For everyday casual attire a great place to look is The Beltman. They have a line of rugged gunbelts in a variety of leathers including cowhide, There you have it; strength and rigidity — good; limpness, drooping and sagging — bad. This is something guys have known their whole life. horsehide, elephant and shark. I have a 1.25" horsehide belt, which is one of my favorite day-to-day belts — and it’s bomb-proof. The Dressier Side I had a couple of dress belts made up from two of the premier holster makers in the business. One is from Mitch Rosen Extrordinary Gunleather, and it is extraordinary. It is a 1.25" dress belt, which tapers to 1" in the front. The cordovan color and matching holster and magpouch make it an absolute work of art. Milt Sparks Holsters constructed the other dress gunbelt. This black dress belt is 1.5" wide and tapers to 1.25" at the front. It has the edges “skived” which gives the particularly dressy “domed” effect of a raised center with the edges beveled. I consider these belts lifetime investments. 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The Brands you know and trust: Aimpoint, Armalite, A.R.M.S, Break Free, Brownells, Buffer Technologies, Bushmaster, Chip McCormick, C-MAG, Colt, Daniel Defense, DPMS, EOTech, High Standard, Magpul, Midwest Industries, Smith Enterprise, Surefire, Tangodown, Trijicon, VLTOR, Wilson Combat, Yankee Hill, and more. ! EE Everything AR-15 R F AR-15 #3 CATALOG * FREE to all AR-15 enthusiasts. Discount pricing available. Everything we sell is 100% GUARANTEED - Period. 800-741-0015 62 brownells.com Source Code: BKY WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 20082008-09-29T16:38:33+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=63http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=63PRIVATE SECURITY Continued from page 36 sector enterprises, as the experts deem necessary for the national security. Problems? — Say I t Ain’t So But, there are problems. We aren’t there just yet. Brian Tomasello, veteran senior manager of security operations for global giant Securitas, has been overseeing guard force programs in California’s Silicon Valley for almost 20 years. He tells me the emphasis since 9/11 has been to strengthen the foundation aspects of security guarding and the best and most assured way to accomplish this is to raise minimum standards — recruiting requirements, training, pay most of all. “The state of California made a great stride with AB 2880,” the state law mandating each prospective officer receive a minimum 40 hours of training prior to being granted their guard card.” But, according to Tomasello, they undercut the effort: Only private contractor guards are required to take the training, while proprietary employees acting in the capacity of security personnel (in-house security) are exempt. About 50 percent of the security officers in the Golden State are proprietary, meaning fully half the security officer corps — those people identified as key national security components, by commission after commission since 9/11 “changed the landscape forever,” have no training requirements. And, to make matters more confusing, establishing a consistent background screening platform for security officers is, apparently, too much for Americans to expect from this generation’s political elite. Vetting for security officers was given greater visibility and, at least on the surface, credibility when federal legislation was passed several years ago allowing state agencies access to FBI fingerprint files to more quickly and efficiently establish the credentials of any prospective security professional (you know, those guys in the uniforms guarding the nuclear plants, utility stations, malls, college campuses). Unfortunately, no state has yet created an acceptable communications system, compatible with FBI hardware and software, to take advantage of this law. Joseph Heller (Catch-22) and Franz Kafka (The Metamorphosis) would not be strangers to this kind of political landscape, filled as it is with more hype and hyperbole than recognizable help and support. The landscape may in fact have changed forever since 9/11, but the political factions owning and governing our legal systems and legislatures haven’t. WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM P.O. Box 370 Barrington, IL 60011 • Tel: 847-277-7258 Fax: 847-277-7259 • Email: customerservice1@dsarms.com WANT SOME MORE? WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM Cop Christmas Gift Guide! $5.95 IN CANADA $9.50 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2007 WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM IN!A I'M W NOT D COP BUT . 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EVOC: Hydroplaning FN's Five-seveN Macho Mousegun Corrections: Bad Tactics Hard Tools: Illuminators Urban FOCUS: Urban Rifle: Don Hume Leather p.38 GT-14 Night Vision Monocular p.56 Portable Scanner p.20 PART IV FOCUS: * •POLYSHOCK AMMO •FEDERAL FLIGHT CONTROL BUCK •A FAILURE TO PLAN CORRECTIONS ORRECTIONS — ONE NATION ATION UNDER ARREST RREST GET THEM ONLINE AT: www.americancopmagazine.com OR CALL: 888-732-2299 632008-09-29T16:38:33+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=64http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=64ON THE JOB Continued from page 56 up, opened his bedroom door to investigate, and literally ran into burglary suspect Alvaro Castro, 25. Without hesitation, Kieta grabbed Castro in one strong hand and began punchin’ the daylights out of him with the other. When Castro tried to pull away and tugged them both into a tiny laundry room, Kieta knew he was going to win. The room was so small even if Castro got free, he couldn’t get out without coming back into contact with Kieta, who was just getting warmed up. Castro may have known in advance that his “victim” was blind, but he wouldn’t have known Kieta’s father, a CrossBreed Holsters LLC. ARE YOU TIRED OF UNCOMFORTABLE HOLSTERS? ARE YOU CARRYING A SMALLER GUN THAN YOU WANT TO JUST SO YOU CAN CONCEAL IT? I got my SuperTuck holster from you for my XD 4” back in February. I use it everyday 10 to 12 hours, sometimes tucked, sometimes not. This is the most comfortable holster I have ever had. Holds my XD close to my body and just makes it disappear. It holds the gun firmly, yet easy and fast to draw. Who says you can’t conceal carry a full size gun? They never tried a SuperTuck. I love it! Thanks, We wonder what Castro’s rep is gonna be like “in the yard” when fellow convicts hear he got his ass whipped by a blind dude twice his age. career Marine, had coached him on defensive tactics and close-quarters combat since he was a child, and Kieta had gone on to win a Kentucky state high school wrestling championship in the 145-pound class in 1976. Kieta had stayed in fighting trim and practiced regularly since then. Castro found out about those details the hard way. Kieta continued punching, pounding and squeezing Castro until he went limp, semi-conscious from shock. The “victim” then grabbed Castro by the belt and dragged him into the kitchen. There he retrieved a knife and held it to Castro’s throat with his right hand while dialing 911 with his left. An Indy police official called it “One of the most incredible tales of citizen self-defense” he had heard in years. We called it somethin’ like “sweet justice.” We wonder what Castro’s rep is gonna be like “in the yard” when fellow convicts hear he got his ass whipped by a blind dude twice his age. There are indications Castro may not be smart enough to come up with a good story. At the scene, the best he could do was say he was looking for his cat. “Your cat?” Kieta recalled blurting out — “You’re in my house!” Why not try a CrossBreed TODAY? Lifetime Warranty! Try-It-FREE-Guarantee! 888.732.5011 www.CrossBreedHolsters.com 64 * WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 20082008-09-29T16:38:33+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=65http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=65starring TRIPLE STITCHED UPPER, “HOT MELT” HEEL and TOE COUNTERS, TOUGH and DURABLE MOISTURE-WICKING LINING, REMOVABLE MOLDED ORTHOTIC FOOTBED co-starring COMPRESSION MOLDED EVA MIDSOLE, OUTSOLE STITCHED at TOE and HEEL, SELF-CLEANING MULTI-TRED CARBON RUBBER OUTSOLE music by RIVETED STEEL SHANK story by RUST-PROOF HARDWARE2008-09-29T16:38:33+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=66http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=66STREET LEVEL Continued from page 30 One surreptitiously filmed video I saw was of a convict teaching fellow inmates how to execute “handgun takeaways” on cops. It was a popular class, and the instructor was paid in cigarettes and candy-cart vouchers. Corrections officers were forbidden by policy from interfering. Other “inhouse” training included how to launch an attack from the pat-down position; distracting officers’ attention by means of suddenly pointing away at something or visibly reacting to a non-existent “threat” behind the officer; feigning injury or illness to get the drop on a cop and many more. You can bet there’s extensive discussion of techniques for gun-fighting officers — with an emphasis on ambush and/or fast, violent action. Those of you field troops who don’t already have contacts with jail and prison officers should cultivate them. Potentially life-saving info could be gained for the price of a couple of beers and an informative evening. A Crook’s-Eye View While the “T-Shirt Triangle Target” is a specific concern, it opens the door on the worthy subject of supervisors developing a “Crook’s-Eye View” of their officers, operations, and even physical facilities. Where a sergeant may see a sharply uniformed officer whose T-shirt needs a little bleach, the crook sees a terrific target. Where a sergeant sees an officer conducting a field interview with his hands stuffed in his pants pockets or his thumbs hooked in his gunbelt, or rocking back and forth on his heels with a tall curb just behind him as “sloppy and unprofessional,” a crook would see the same scenarios in terms of opportunities for sudden assault and optimum angles of attack. Sergeants are often right behind their officers as they arrive at calls and bail from their cruisers. Instead of viewing those scenarios just from your own point of view, reverse the image and ask yourself what the crook’s-eye view shows: Is it the lead officer being backlit by the following officer? Both officers forming tightly grouped targets backlit by their vehicles? That’s just a starting point. Develop it, broaden the scope, and use it to help build your own Bad Guy’s Bible — and share it with your troops. Remember two things: There’s no pro football team which doesn’t study their opposition’s plays; no boxer who doesn’t analyze his next opponent’s style. In our game, the stakes are infinitely higher. 66 * WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 20082008-09-29T16:38:33+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=67http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=67Order Your Copy While Supplies Last! 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See your local dealer today for a SIG SAUER Conversion Kit, and you might just wear out your trigger finger. ® w w w.sigsauer.com2008-09-29T16:38:33+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=68http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=68POCKET INSURECTION Continued from page 47 and either people were entering or exiting Wounded Knee by a dirt track and I became concerned about making contact by myself. I pulled the car off the road, gained some high ground, shut her down and went prone outside with my rifle. I waited for 10 – 15 minutes, things remained quiet so I resumed my drive toward the Manderson RB. Vietnam Flashback I started climbing a ridge and suddenly burst out onto the road about 50 yards behind the RB. Parachute flares illuminated the sky and the prairie was on fire. For a split second, I flashed back to an NVA attack against a Vietnam firebase I’d been defending four years earlier. I dismounted and sprinted up to the APC placed at an oblique angle across the road in a narrow cut or saddle. Rounds were snapping over-head and I could see three or four of the boys on top of the left side of the cut pounding away at muzzle flashes from a wooded stream bed 200 to 300 yards to their front. The APC’s ramp was down and sitting inside was the former nun who greeted me with a tense smile, loading magazines for the topside trigger pullers. Now and then she’d flinch when a round ricocheted off the top of the PC and whine into the surrounding grassland — but never stopped pumping up those 20-round sticks. Unexpected Company Outnumbered, our guys were giving as well as getting and as I started to climb to the geographical crest to add to the festivities two vehicles approached the position from the rear at a high rate of speed. Our rear was unguarded and they didn’t display the proper recognition lights, so I jumped into the middle of the road and waved them down. There was plenty of illumination, but they ignored me and kept coming. There was no place to go, so I snapped my rifle to my shoulder and pegged two fast rounds over the top of the lead vehicle. Apparently the muzzle flashes and reports from two M193 ball was enough to gain their attention and initial cooperation. They stopped — right now. With hands raised, two men and two women exited the vehicles. I had them line up facing their vehicles with hands flat on the roof. We were still receiving sporadic incoming, but the cars and suspects were in defilade. I was aware ricochets could do strange things and considered putting them inside the APC, but the female agent was still loading magazines. They started whispering to each other and I told them to shut up. It was cold and the women were shivering, so I pulled blankets out of the lead car. 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Now it was personal — I fired a shot into the air and followed it with a loud “Quiet!” Too Late For The HE Hostile fire all but ceased as carloads of agents bristling with weapons including M79 40 millimeter grenade launchers with Dual Purpose High Explosive rounds screeched to a halt behind the two AIM vehicles and fanned out to reinforce our position. I was both relieved and annoyed. I was World s Finest Magazines “OPTIMUM”. THE WORLD’S BEST MAGAZINES MEC-GAR is proud to offer “Optimum” - our new and unique series of high capacity flush-fit pistol magazines. The new design of the magazine housing and interlinked magazine components, together with a special Anti-Friction Coating offer far superior performance even in difficult operational environments. 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He gave me that look of, “not you again” and I returned his stern gaze with a shrug of my shoulders and a look of, “Hey, I didn’t start it.” He was much to busy to pursue my un authorized presence further, so I slapped a fresh magazine into my M16 looked over at the APC where the female agent was being mobbed by solicitous headquarters types and walked back to my Impala. An AIM bullet shattered the right rear window filling the rear seat with kernelled glass. My noble mount, battle scarred at last; I kicked back in the front seat and waited for the dawning of a new day in Indian country. * 70 WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 20082008-09-29T16:38:33+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=71http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=71WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM 712008-09-29T16:38:33+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=72http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=72SPOTLIGHT NEPVS-14 ITT Night Vision ITT Night Vision is introducing advancements in law enforcement technology. Recently, the night vision leader announced that all Night Enforcer units, including the popular NEPVS-14 model, now will come equipped with its innovative and proprietary Pinnacle thin-filmed image tube technology. Among the many enhancements, the Pinnacle technology improves clarity and resolution in a variety of lighting conditions— from extremely low-light areas to high-light urban environments. To meet the high demand on night vision products, ITT has teamed up with Morovision to distribute the Generation 3 units to its law enforcement customers. For more information, visit www.nightvision.com. For more information on seeing your product featured in “Spotlight,” contact Delano Amaguin (888) 732-6461. GI SLMC Operators Edge, LLC & Garrett Industries Operators Edge, LLC & Garrett Industries team up to introduce the GI SLMC. The innovative spring loaded magazine carrier’s (SLMC) high capacity doubles your ammunition-carrying capability without increasing the amount of space needed on you belt or vest. The SLMC’s universal design works for both single and double-stack pistol magazines. An AR-15/MP-5 version is on the way. Visit Operators Edge at www.operatorsedge.com or call 866-457-SWAT (7928). ELECTRO-FLARE SolarPath USA Finally an alternative to magnesium flares — ELECTRO-FLARE eliminates risk of fire, burns, and toxic fumes. No more replacing flares every 15 minutes, burnt hands or uniforms. Visible up to a mile and flashing for 18 hours the ELECTROFLARE is the safest way to protect officers and emergency crews on roadways. Units charge inside a portable case and are customizable in flash and color patterns, including infrared. Endless uses: routine stops, accident sites, crowd control, helipads, traffic control, hazmat scenes etc. The Mepro-Light ELECTRO-FLARE is available in the US exclusively from SolarPath at www.solarpathusa.com or call 888-333-7652. GLOVES TurtleSkin TurtleSkin Gloves offer excellent puncture resistance in a material that is both lightweight and comfortable. Patented technology weaves aramid fibers very tightly to keep sharp objects from penetrating. TurtleSkin products provide protection without sacrificing flexibility, dexterity, or comfort. Protect yourself from needles, metal shards, glass fragments, wire, nails, and wood splinters. Find out more at www.turtleksin.com, or call 1-888-477-4675. XTREME BODY ARMOR American Body Armor American Body Armor introduces the newest model in the renowned Xtreme Body Armor series – the Xtreme Force (XTF). The new Xtreme Force provides more stopping power when compared to its predecessor, the Xtreme XT and is also more flexible than the Xtreme XT. Constructed from Honeywell’s new Spectra Shield II, which utilizes a Spectra fiber that is 15 times stronger than steel, and Twaron®, one of the most reliable bullet-resistant materials available, the Xtreme Force is hybrid engineering at its finest. To learn more visit www.americanbodyarmor.com. FIREARM LUBRICANT MPT Industries The penetrating anti-wear formula cleans, lubricates and protects in all climates and extreme environments from -60 to +500 degrees. MPT Firearm contains special rust and corrosion inhibitors to protect against wear, humidity, and moisture, including salt water. It leaves a long-lasting protective film that repels dust and will not evaporate – excellent for longterm storage. To see more, log on to www.mptindustries.com. 72 WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 20082008-09-29T16:38:33+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=73http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=732008-09-29T16:38:33+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=74http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=74WIN! THIS PACKAGE! QUESTION 1 Do you have decision-making ability regarding your duty weapon? A) Yes B) No QUESTION 2 What magazine do you most closely relate to American COP Magazine? A) Police Magazine B) SWAT Magazine C) Law Officer D) Law & Order E) Tactical Response 74 QUESTIONS QUESTION 4 What is your favorite part of American COP Magazine? A) Gun Review B) Gear Review C) Gun of the Month giveaway D) Training and Tactics WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM AMERICAN • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER COP • JULY/AUGUST 2008 2006 QUESTION 3 Do you have decision-making ability regarding your body armor? A) Yes B) No2008-09-29T16:38:33+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=75http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=75INCLUDES INCLUDES THE THE GALCO GALCO ANKLE ANKLE GLOVE GLOVE AND AND ASP ASP HANDCUFFS! HANDCUFFS! he very first Airweight I ever saw had just come back from Vietnam. A friend of mine was a CH-46 jockey and the little gun was issued to him on his first day “in-country.” After mustering out of the Marine Corp, he joined my former department and spent 30 years carrying and qualifying with it as his back up. He continues to carry the snubby to this day and it still shoots just fine some forty years later. When you need a lightweight carry revolver, you turn to Smith & Wesson’s Small Frame Airweight Series. They are the original aluminum small frame revolvers chambered in .38 S&W Special and fully capable of safely firing +P rounds. T • Caliber: .38 S&W Special +P • Capacity: 5 rounds • Barrel Length: 1.875" • Front Sight: XS Sights Small Dot • Rear Sight: Fixed Notch • Firing System: N/A • Grip: Crimson Trace Laser Grip • Trigger: Smooth Target • Hammer: Internal • External Safety: N/A • Frame: Small • Finish: Black • Overall length: 6.375" • Material: Aluminum Alloy / Carbon Steel • Weight Empty: 15 ounces Galco Ankle Glove The Ankle Glove’s wide neoprene ankle band and Velcro closure offer extended wearing comfort. Combining the sheepskin padding and a reinforced thumb break it not only provides comfort but that extra level of security as well. Detailed molding of the holster also aids firearm retention. The Ankle Glove may be worn with or without an optional adjustable calf strap. It’s constructed of premium saddle leather stitched to a neoprene band and accommodates ankles up to 13" in circumference. WIN THIS SMITH & WESSON MODEL 442 AIRWEIGHT! Photo: Dave Douglas ASP Handcuffs ASP Handcuffs demonstrate an advance in both the design and construction of wrist restraints. Frame geometry is the result of extensive computer modeling and simulation analysis providing extra strength by using of an interlocking, unitized frame. Their structure is forged from stainless steel on custom-built high-speed progressive dies and overmolded with ordnance grade polymer under 75 tons of pressure. The Lock Assembly is unitized and replaceable. ASP’s chain handcuffs incorporate a stainless steel eyelet, TIG welded stainless steel links and a ball bearing smooth rotation. Each swivel is protected with a reinforcing collar. www.smith-wesson.com www.usgalco.com www.asp-net.com www.crimsontrace.com www.xssights.com TO ENTER CONTEST: Use the card found in this issue or a postcard (no envelopes, please) and answer the four questions on the left and follow the sample shown on the right. Send to AMERICAN COP Dept. X7, P .O. Box 501930, San Diego, CA 92150-1930. You can also enter on our website www.americancopmagazine.com. Entries must be received before January 1, 2009. Limit 1 entry per household. This contest is open to individuals who are residents of the United States and its territories only. Agents and employees of Publisher’s Development Corporation and their families are excluded from entering. Contest void where prohibited or restricted by law. Winners must meet all local laws and regulations. Taxes and compliance with firearms regulations will be the responsibility of the winners. Winners will be notified by CERTIFIED MAIL on official letterhead. No purchase necessary to enter. COP NOV/DEC 2008: Name ___________________________________ Address _____________ City, State, Zip____________ Email Address _______________________ Sample If I win, please ship my prize through: Dealer ___________________________________ Address _____________ City, State, Zip____________ Phone ( ) ____ - ________ Store hours __ am __ pm WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM 752008-09-29T16:38:33+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=76http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=76AMERICAN COP Classified ads $2.00 per-word per insertion. ($1.50 per-word per insertion for 3 or more) including name, address and phone number (20 word minimum). Minimum charge $40.00. Bold words add $1.00 per word. Copy and rerun orders must be accompanied by PAYMENT IN ADVANCE. NO AGENCY OR CASH DISCOUNTS ON LISTING OR DISPLAY CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING. All ads must be received with advance payment BY NO LATER THAN THE 1st of each month. Ads received after closing will appear in the following issue. Please type or print clearly. PLEASE NOTE*** NO PROOFS WILL BE FURNISHED. Include name, address, post office, city, state and zip code as counted words. Abbreviations count as one word each. Mail to AMERICAN COP CLASSIFIEDS, 12345 World Trade Drive, San Diego, California 92128. NOTE: WE NOW HAVE DISPLAY CLASSIFIED ADS IN BOTH GUNS MAGAZINE AND AMERICAN HANDGUNNER. ASK FOR OUR NEW RATE CARD, Or call (858) 605-0235. BADGES GUNGRIPS GUNS FOR SALE GUNSMITHING INSTRUCTION LEATHER MISC MILITARY SURPLUS OPTICS POLICE EQUIPMENT REAL ESTATE IDENTIFY YOURSELF THIS BADGE MAY SAVE YOUR LIFE Police Quality Gold Plated 100% LEGAL FOR PERMIT HOLDERS Badge Case & Shipping With Order FREE Order Toll Free Size 2” x 3” Money Back Guarantee MSRP: $58.00 You Save $20.00 PO Box 970057 Coconut Creek, FL 33097 $38 1-877-332-2343 www.maxarmory.com INDEX Action Target Al Mar Knives ALS Tech Amchar Wholesale Armalite ASP Benchmade Black Hills Ammunition Blackhawk Brownells Buffer Tech Bushnell Bust a Cap Command Arms Cool Cop Copquest Crossbreed Cylinder & Slide DeSantis DPMS DSA Elite Operator Elite Sports FNH Glock Gripmaster GunVault Insight Tech Kahr Arms 76 OF ADVERTISERS 62 68 71 67 37 9,11,13 9 69 12 62 66 17 17 13 27 60 64 62 58 61 63 64 25 3 29 19 14 61 11 The companies listed have featured advertisements in this issue. Look to them first when you are ready to make a purchase. 7,80 2 14 68 71 59 21 70 25 8 65 66 57 19 6 68 35 67,69 10 79 60 31 23,27 73 70 7 54 15 58 66 Kimber LA Police Gear Leupold Lifeline Armor M4 Carbine Magpul Maxpedition MecGar Mossberg Officerstore Original SWAT Pearce Grip Revision Eyewear Rock River Arms Safariland Shooters Choice Gun Care SHOT Show Sig Sauer Smith & Wesson Springfield STI Streamlight Surefire Thunder Ranch Tops Knives Walker’s Game Ear Wilson Combat Winchester Woolrich XS Sight Systems WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 20082008-09-29T16:38:33+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=77http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=77INSIDERRUMINATIONS Continued from page 78 INSIDERRUMINATIONS Toro Caca (cont.) Their state bird can be the Dodo; state flower Skunk Cabbage and official language can be Amharic, Arabic, Armenian, Cambodian, Chinese, Croatian, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Hmong, Hungarian, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Laotian, Farsi, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Romanian, Russian, Samoan, Spanish, Thai, Tongan, Turkish, Vietnamese and Ebonics. They can keep the film and television industry along with all the celebrities — oh, please keep them. They can have anti-nuke, anti-oil, anti-coal, anti-meat, anti-guns, anti-hunting, anti-fur, anti-SUV, anti-smoking and anti-cop rallies every day of the week. It will be one big communeloving, hug a buddy, ride a frigging unicorn fest. What’s really a shame is California is shedding working, self-reliant Americans at an alarming rate. It comes down to self-preservation and to be forced into leaving a place you love is pure unadulterated Toro Caca. A COMPLETELY SUBJECTIVE LOOK AT THINGS I LIKE Insight Tech Gear Insight Tech Gear’s new H2X Arcturus is a great cop light. It puts out 120 lumens from an LED that’s good for about a gazillion hours. It will run for 2 hours on high and about 300 hours on low setting after a full charge. Did he say charge? Yup. It comes with a recharger and rechargeable Lithium Ion battery. That alone makes this one cop friendly. You won’t need to buy those 123s anymore. The light is setup to always start at full power and with a couple clicks of the tail cap you can cycle through a strobe mode a dimming mode. The bezel is crenulated so you always know if it’s in the off mode or you can use it as a DNA collection device as well. It’s already equipped with a pocket clip but you can dump that if you think it’ll be in your way. This one is a must have. For More Info: www.insighttechgear.com All Things LaRue I know I’ve mentioned LaRue tactical in the past but since this is my column, I’m going to mention them again. I received my LaRue Stealth Upper for my AR a few months ago. It easily hooked up to my lower receiver and with just a bit of lubrication; I was off to the range. It’s not a “match” upper but you wouldn’t know that after shooting it for groups. With 55 grain Federal TRU ammo, I was shooting consistent .75" groups at 100 meters — right out of the box — or tube in this case. I don’t know why that surprised me because everything I’ve ever received from LaRue has been outstanding gear. As a value added feature when you call them, the crew you speak with are some of the most knowledgeable and congenial folks in all of Texas. Cody, Blake and Austin will help you through your selection process. They know their product and aren’t afraid to tell you a particular piece of kit won’t work for your application. Then, they’ll point you in the right direction. Whenever you need something for an AR, the first place to look is in LaRue’s Catalog or on their Web site. For More Info: www.laruetactical.com WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM 77 *2008-09-29T16:38:33+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=78http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=78INSIDER RUMINATIONS DAVE DOUGLAS THERE OUGHT TO BE A LAW R WHO IS THE CURR ENT COMMANDER-IN-C HIEF? A) The President B) Ted Nugent C) The Speaker of D) Emeril Lagasse the House E) All Of The Above INSIDERRUMINATIONS E FIRST PRESIDENT eports from survey firms, research foundations, government OF THE UNITED STATES agencies and schools tell us most young people in the US don’t OF AMERICA? A) Mel Tillis read literature, work reliably, visit cultural institutions or even B) George Washingto vote. They don’t know anything about the foundations of C) Benjamin Franklin n America from a historical perspective or the names their political repD) Elmer Fudd resentatives. In a 2006 survey of high school seniors, when asked to explain a sign reading “Colored Entrance” surveyors were met with E) None Of The Abov e blank stares and slack jaws from two-thirds of “America’s greatest assets.” In a 2004 survey one quarter of young adults (18 to 24) had THE FIRST AMENDM ENT OF THE CONST no idea who Dick Cheney was and 28 percent were clueless when it ITUTION PR OVIDES YOU WITH came to the name William Rehnquist. THE RIGHT TO? A) Pick any mortgage co However they are spectacular when it comes to texting, passing mpany you want. B) The Right to assem along tunes and gossiping with, at times, particularly unflattering bl e. and scandalous photos via “Social Networking” sites. They are C) The Right to assem ble without reading th consumed and driven with a need for peer attention. D) The Right to marry e directions. How in the world can you think critically or have an abstract E) All Of The Above your first cousin. thought about essential rights in the US if you’ve never read the Constitution and have no idea of the significance of the First WHO DID WE FIGHT Amendment— or my favorite — the Second Amendment? For a IN TH RE VOLUTIONARY WAR E free people to remain free historical memory is essential. ? The biggest problem here is these people have the right to A) The Beatles vote unabated for whom ever has a nice smile, cool suit, talks B) The Taliban really well, has cute kids or a really rad viral clip on You Tube C) The English — that is if they were able to understand a simple ballot. D) Rosie O’Donnel So, there ought to be a law. We need to amend the 15th AmendE) All Of The Abovel ment and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. You need to pass a test in order to vote. WHO ATTACKED TH We can call the new amendment the American COP, You E UNITED STATES ON 09/11/ Can’t Polish A Turd By Rubbing It On An Imbecile, Mean01? ingful Voting Rights Protection Act of 2009. If you’re with me A) Israel on this send a copy to your Representatives. If you are B) France reading this magazine there’s no doubt you know who they C) Al Qaeda are. Here’s are my suggested test questions: D) Al WHO WAS TH Toro Caca kay, I’ve had enough already. When I moved to California 40 years ago it was a really nice place to live. But, now California no longer reflects my values and I just can’t see the pendulum swinging back in the right direction in what’s left of my lifetime — I’m outta here. Bundy E) All Of The Above O The liberal progressives own this place now. The lunatic fringe isn’t on the fringe anymore; they are now called the legislature. The only way of saving it is to take a massive exacto knife and cut San Francisco and Los Angeles out like a surgeon would cut out cancer. And, they might want to think about Portland and Seattle while they’re at it. Move them all 12 miles off the coast, paste them together and call them the State of Moron. Or pick Ass, Idiot, Imbecile, Jackass, Mooncalf, Nincompoop, Ninny, Nitwit, Simpleton, Softhead or Tomfool — any of them will fit just fine. Continues on page 77 INSIDERRUMINATIONS 78 WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 20082008-09-29T16:38:33+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=79http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=792008-09-29T16:38:33+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=80http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND08/?Page=80The Custom Crimson Carry II™ is light, powerful & absolutely dependable. Carry Light. Introducing Kimber Crimson Carry 1911 .45 ACP Pistols. The Ultra Crimson Carry II™ features a 3-inch bushingless bull barrel & short grip to enhance concealability. Weight is only 25 ounces. Crimson Carry pistols combine light weight and unequaled Kimber® quality with . Standard Kimber the proven tactical advantage of Crimson Trace® Lasergrips® features like match grade barrel, chamber, barrel bushing and trigger, rounded and blended edges, beveled magazine well and high ride beavertail grip safety ensure unequaled performance. Custom touches include a new recessed slide stop is the best choice for duty, home defense and concealed carry. See Kimber pistols in action at www.kimberamerica.com. The Pro Crimson Carry II™ has a 4-inch barrel & fulllength grip. Ideal for duty carry or home defense, it weighs just 28 ounces. Crimson Carry .45 ACP pistols feature Crimson Trace Lasergrips in a new, exclusive rosewood finish with classic checkering & the Kimber logo. The Choice of America’s Best. www.kimberamerica.com For information on products and dealer locations please send $2 to: 2008 Kimber Mfg., Inc. All rights reserved. Kimber names, logos and other trademarks may not be used without permission. Names of other companies, products and services may be the property of their respective owners. Kimber firearms are shipped with an instructional manual and California-approved cable lock. Copy of instruction manual available by request. Kimber, Dept. 184 One Lawton Street, Yonkers, NY 10705 Information is also available at (800) 880-24182008-09-29T16:38:33+02:00