http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/RSS.ashxAmerican COP Nov/Dec 2009 PagesTue, 29 Sep 2009 16:10:26 +0200http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=1http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=1I ALMOST SHOT ELTON JOHN! www.americancopmagazine.com $5.95 OUTSIDE U.S. $9.50 noVemBer/DecemBer 2009 WIN A SureFIre COMBO PACK! You’re A TArgeT: CAn Your Armor TAke IT? Le Mas — Part Deux Pressure Problems? new nIJ Standard Dispatch Vs. Patrol ethICAl MINeFIeldS FOCUS: Cars & Crashes: Carbon Motors’ E7 Corrections: Prison Gangs Private Security: Cyber Space Nightmare Hard Tools: FNS 120 Super Scope2009-09-29T16:10:26+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=2http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=2PROTECTING THOSE WHO PROTECT . . . In the world of international law enforcement, there is little room for error. Performance is paramount. Failure is not an option. Among the men and women of this specialized profession, the name ASP is synonymous with quality. Designs without equal. Products you can literally stake your life on. For over 30 years, the ASP Insignia has stood for innovative design. Flawless function. An unmatched standard of service. In 81 countries throughout the world, ASP is the first choice of quiet professionals. Innovative concepts. Field proven designs. An uncompromising standard of quality. ASP . . . when you cannot afford less. BATONS RESTRAINTS LIGHTING OC TRAINING See the complete collection of ASP designs at your local Distributor. For a full color catalog of all ASP products, call 800.236.6243. asp-usa.com A S P L A W E N F O R C E M E N T ASP designs are produced in five distinct product categories. Each is unique. A product line so advanced that it is protected by over 150 patents.2009-09-29T16:10:26+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=3http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=3t a c t i c a l f o o t w e a r starring Armor-Dillo AbrAsion resistAnce and breAthAbility, lAterAl sUPPort and eAsy on & oFF co-starring trAction and comFort, Athletic cUshioninG, totAl Foot sUPPort music by AlloWs For cUstom Fit story by comFort, hiGh DUrAbility 888.476.7700 • www.originalswat.com seK 90002009-09-29T16:10:26+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=4http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=42009 Volume 5, Number 6, Issue 26 NOV • DEC Cover Photo Joe Novelozo WWW.AMerICANCOPMAGAZINe.COM 32 40 FEATURES 34 40 44 46 48 54 4 ruGer’S NeW Sr556 Dave Douglas a Worthy Patrol Partner IS YOur BOdY ArMOr JuNK? JIM DoNaHue NIJs Tough New standard dISPAtCh VS. PAtrOl JaMIe ZelleR Keeping Your Dispatcher Happy WhAtChA GONNA dO? BIll HuBBaRD ethical Quandries POlICe StOrY C.W. BIll BlaCK The Day I almost shot elton John le MAS FOllOW uP BoB PIlgRIM High-Pressure Problems? WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 20092009-09-29T16:10:26+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=5http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=520 26 COLUMNS 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 58 COrreCtIONS BRIaN DaWe hIGh teCh JIM DoNaHue CArrY OPtIONS MaRK HaNTeN PrIVAte SeCurItY eD PaluMBo OFFICer SurVIVAl JoHN Russo hArd tOOlS Paul MaRKel reSerVeS PeRRY W. HoRNBaRgeR Street leVel JoHN MoRRIsoN CArS ANd CrASheS suZI HuNTINgToN reAlItY CheCK II ClINT sMITH 18 RESOURCES 56 68 SPOtlIGht Ad INdex 46 DEPARTMENTS 8 13 70 returN FIre GOOd tO GO GeAr INSIder ruMINAtIONS 16 22 thIS SureFIre COMBO PACK! 26 32 40 44 46 48 54 ON THE COVER COrreCtIONS: PrISON GANGS PrIVAte SeCurItY: CYBer SPACe NIGhtMAre hArd tOOlS: FNS 120 SuPer SCOPe CArS & CrASheS: CArBON MOtOrS’ e7 YOu’re A tArGet: CAN YOur ArMOr tAKe It? dISPAtCh VS. PAtrOl ethICAl MINeFIeldS I AlMOSt ShOt eltON JOhN! le MAS — PArt 2: PreSSure PrOBleMS 66 58 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. Advertising rates furnished on request. Reproduction or use of any portion of this magazine in any manner, without written permission, is prohibited. Entire contents Copyright© 2009 Publishers’ Development Corp. All rights reserved. Title to this publication passes to subscriber only on delivery to his address. SUBSCRIPTION PROBLEMS: For immediate action, write Subscription Dept., 12345 World Trade Drive, San Diego, CA 92128. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to AMERICAN COP™, 12345 World Trade Drive, San Diego, CA 92128. WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM 52009-09-29T16:10:26+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=6http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=6AMERICAN COP board of directors Thomas von Rosen, CEO; Thomas Hollander; Randy Moldé; Marjorie Young PUblisher Roy Huntington Editor Suzi Huntington Executive Editor Sammy Reese Managing Editorial Assistant Stephanie Jarrell Editorial Assistant Kerin Van Hoosear Art Director Richard Stahlhut Production Manager Dennaye Cusick Web Site Manager Lorinda Massey Promotions Coordinator Elizabeth O’Neill Advertising Sales Director Anita Carson Advertising Sales Assistant Dana Hatfield Staff Photographer Joe Novelozo contribUting editors Clint Smith Mark Hanten Ed Palumbo John Russo Perry W. Hornbarger Dave Douglas John Morrison Jeremy Clough Paul Markel Jim Donahue fmg PUblications americancopmagazine.com Editor: Suzi Huntington Advertising: Delano Amaguin, (888) 732-6461 e-mail: delano@americancopmagazine.com Advertising: Denny Fallon, (800) 426-4470 e-mail: denny@americancopmagazine.com americanhandgunner.com Publisher & Editor: Roy Huntington Advertising: Steve Evatt, (800) 533-7988 e-mail: steve@americanhandgunner.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. For safety without sacrificing performance, count on Uncle Mike’s. ©2009 gunsmagazine.com Editor: Jeff John Advertising: Andrew Oram, (866) 903-1199 e-mail: andrew@gunsmagazine.com shootingindustry.com Publisher & Editor: Russ Thurman Advertising: Anita Carson, (866) 972-4545 e-mail: anita@shootingindustry.com Special editionS fmgpublications.com Editor: Sammy Reese Advertising: Scott McGregor, (800) 553-7780 e-mail: scott@americanhandgunner.com oNLiNE ADvErtiSiNG MANAGEr: Tracy Moore, (888) 651-7566; Fax: (858) 605-0205; tracy@fmgpublications.com CLASSifiED ADvErtiSiNG: Lori Robbins, (800) 633-8001, Fax: (858) 605-0247, classads@fmgpublications.com fMG EASt CoASt SALES: Sig Buchmayr, Buchmayr & Associates 28 Great Hill Rd., Darien, CT 06820; (203) 662-9740, sigbuch@optonllin.net. 09BLE5272_UMLE_Slimline_Ad_AC.indd 2 NAtioNAL ADvErtiSiNG: 12345 World Trade Dr., San Diego, CA, 6/3/09 2:35:49 PM 92128; (866) 972-4545; Fax: (858) 605-0211; anita@shootingindustry.com www.americancopmagazine.com SuBSCriPtioN SErviCES: . (858) 605-0202 EDitoriAL: . (858) 605-0243 e-mail: . editorial@americancopmagazine.com ProDuCtioN: . (858) 605-0207 e-mail: . production@americancopmagazine.com BooKS/MErCHANDiSE: . (888) 732-2299 e-mail: . rachelle@fmgpublications.com General Counsel/Legal Affairs: . Steele N. Gillaspey e-mail: . sng@g-glaw.com Express Service: www.americancopmagazine.com and click “contacts” CuStoMEr SErviCE ProDuCED iN tHE u.S.A. 6 WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 20092009-09-29T16:10:26+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=7http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=7! W NE A stunning breakthrough in personal defense ammunition design. Concealed carry and personal defense ammunition is redefined with the introduction of Hornady Critical Defense ammunition. You may have never thought about the effects of fabric and clothing on the performance of personal defense ammo. But clothing — especially heavy clothing — has a lot to do with how the bullet expands upon impact. • The patented FTX™ bullet will expand reliably EVERY SINGLE TIME! • Optimized propellants burn quickly, reduce recoil and limit muzzle flash to protect night vision. • Shiny nickel cases resist tarnish and greatly enhance low-light chamber checks. Conventional hollow point bullets clog with fibers and fabric as they pass through clothing which diminishes expansion and causes unreliable bullet performance. Hornady Critical Defense ammunition eliminates clogging with the use of their patented Flex Tip® bullet. Upon entering soft tissue, the tip swells and imparts equal pressure across the entire circumference of the bullet cavity. The result is UNRIVALED bullet expansion and performance EVERY SINGLE TIME! Flex Tip™ technology guarantees 100% reliable performance in every situation. Conventional hollow point bullets perform unreliably when encountering heavy fabric or layers of clothing. Hornady Critical Defense ammunition is available in these calibers: • 380 Auto • 38 Special • 38 Special +P • 9mm Luger PO Box 1848 Grand Island, NE 68802 308-382-1390 www.hornady.com2009-09-29T16:10:26+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=8http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=8reTurn FIRE I wish I’d been able to read this article when I first became an officer, it would’ve saved me a lot of time trying to get my setup correct and comfortable. Survival: PERCEPTION VS PERSPECTIVE www.americancopmagazine.com $5.95 OUTSIDE U.S. $9.50 JULY/aUgUST 2009 BLACKHAWK! S.T.R.i.K.E. BAndoLEER Win A New ColumN: Springfield’s Holsters, Keepers & Suspenders I just read the article (Are You Duty Ready, July/August 2009) and I was very pleased to see my own duty belt was set up very similar to Bob Hindi’s. I’d like to make one observation and potentially help any new officers out there. Make sure you have a belt keeper between your handcuff pouch and your holster. My department issues Safariland holsters and without a belt keeper, the handcuff pouch will move rearward. With this style holster the handcuff pouch will prevent the strap on the holster from moving forward freely if it’s against it. I also place a belt keeper just behind my holster to prevent anything moving close and defeating the combat grip needed when grabbing my gun. I wish I’d been able to read this article when I first became an officer, it would’ve saved me a lot of time trying to get my setup correct and comfortable. Thanks for a great magazine. Daniel Hall Mustang Police Department Mustang, Okla. Cars & Crashes! NEW! XD(M) Focus: HINDI BELT Carry Options Galco Street Level Nice Goin’ Einstein LEAA Sheepdogs G2G Atlas Bipod SYSTEM ConCealment HolSteRS Thanks for the sage advise. I always wore keepers directly in front of and behind my holster to help keep it locked in place and to prevent the other stuff from sliding into it. SH I always read with great interest any and every story about concealed carry. I’ve been carrying for almost 15 years and have a box full of used holsters to prove it. I liked the article by Ralph Mroz (The Cop’s Guide To Concealed Carry Holsters, July/August 2009) and I’d like to add a tip I discovered. I think the greatest things since is fragile y d o b r u Yo of ne in the lia bullet. tec o r p k n a l Point B ts. rovides armor p y d o b nk’s nce and Point Bla erforma p c ti is ll t ba oistureexcellen terial, m c a b ti n sa htweight, integrate . Thin, lig y g lo o n h c ver, le than e wicking te b a rt fo m more co as it flexible, u cooler o y s p e nk ke Point Bla u safer. keeps yo y. life toda Choose -STOCK Both IN Level IIIA Level II, Level Visionel IIIA II, Lev Hi-Lite E LAW L NFORCEMENT SUPPLIES to OfficerS 800-852 -6088 re.com 8 WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 20092009-09-29T16:10:26+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=9http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=9REVISION GOGGLES STOPPED A .22 MAGNUM BULLET.” TAC Officer B.D. State Police 7:12 AM – September 25 “I was point man on a Tactical Response Team serving what could have been a routine drug search warrant. It wasn’t. When I stepped on the porch, approaching the glass sliding door and yelled ‘State Police …’, the guy in the house suddenly opened up with a .22 mag shooting through the glass door. I felt myself get hit in the head – it felt like getting hit by a truck. Lucky. The round hit my Revision Desert Locust goggles. They absorbed the impact and deflected the bullet. They took the energy from the bullet that otherwise would have been used to penetrate my skull. I’ve been a cop for 12 years and full time SWAT for 8 years. I’m a first-hand account that quality eyewear can save your life. Revision goggles saved mine.” “MY “Thanks hardly says enough. My wife and children thank you too!” ACTUAL GOGGLES WORN BY TAC OFFICER B.D. w w w . r e v i s i o n R E A DY. c o m M I S S I O N C R I T I C A L E Y E W E A R® ©2009 REVISION EYEWEAR LTD. DESERT LOCUST ®, REVISION ®, MISSION CRITICAL EYEWEAR ® AND BE REVISION READY. ® ARE TRADEMARKS OF REVISION EYEWEAR LTD, 7 CORPORATE DRIVE, ESSEX JUNCTION, VT 054522009-09-29T16:10:26+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=10http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=10BLACK HILLS AMMUNITION INC. PO BOX 3090 RAPID CITY, SD 57709 Phone: 605.348.5150 Fax: 605.348.9827 10 WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 20092009-09-29T16:10:26+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=11http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=11FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT THE #1 CHOICE • Impressive Expansion • Certified Lead Free • Optimal Soft Tissue Penetration • Solid Copper X Bullet • Superior Hard Barrier Penetration Premier Products from 605.347.4544 • 800.626.7266 • corbon.com reTurn FIRE SHOULDER HOLSTER LAWMAN LEATHER GOODS™ FITTED TO YOUR EXACT GUN From For ALL LARGE FRAME AUTO PISTOLS The ONLY All Leather Holster & Harness as Tough as your Auto Pistol! Our Thick, Black, 10oz. “Element 119™” Leather is 99.9% Resistant to Salt Water, Algae, Sand, Blood, Etc. Fully Washable w/ Antibacterial Liquid. 5 1/2” barrels or under: CHROME SCREW STUDS before sliced bread are suspenders! Yes, good old-fashioned suspenders. They not only support my pants and keep me from walking out of them; they also help balance the load, help my back and keep me from ripping wider holes in my gun belt. And yes, they’re comfortable too. If you don’t want to look like an old coot, which I am, you can wear them over a t-shirt and wear another, un-tucked shirt over that. John Lochaby Weatherford, Texas Even young coots like my husband wear suspenders and you’re right on all points regarding them. He even tried to get me interested in wearing them, but they didn’t work out. Besides, I’m a girl and I’ve got hips. His favorite are from www.duluthtrading.com. SH COOLING FINS LEATHERCOVERED SPRING WEEP HOLES IN BACK The 5-Percent Rule As a rookie officer I wondered in amazement how my field training officers could spot a parolee out of a crowd and knew just how to speak to the them versus the average citizen. One FTO explained it to me as the 5-Percent Rule. Ninety five-percent of the people are good and respect your authority; the other five-percent are the problem chil11 $209.95 $229.95 + $18.00 Shpg.& Ins. ORDER TOLL FREE: 877 44 LAWMAN www.LawmanLeatherGoods.com “Beware Of Imitations” ™ WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM Or Visit: 6” thru 6.9” barrels: + $18.00 Shpg.& Ins.2009-09-29T16:10:26+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=12http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=12BUILT RUGGED FOR STREET SURVIVAL. Getac recommends Windows Vista® Business past victimization, and even becoming victims ourselves. Law enforcement needs active hunters, who know who the 5-percent are on their beat. We need people not afraid to keep a close eye on them and take action when the time is right. David Johansen Southern California Law Enforcement Officer Well said, David. I’ll only add cops can help resolve any confusion between criminal and racial profiling by articulating why they knew so-and-so was a wolf. Quantifying the who, what, when, where and why is a critical part of criminal profiling and is often overlooked as just good instincts. SH That Left A Mark __ V100 Rugged Convertible In the Win This Package (July/August 2009) section, question #2 asked, “Have you ever served in any branch of the United States Armed Forces?” No letter answer was given for Navy. Since when is the Navy not part of our Armed Forces? Hank Goettelman Crypto Technician 3rd Class “O” brancher I’ve been with the magazine from the start and love it. In the July/August 2009 Win This Package questions, you left a lot of veterans out by not listing the United States Navy in question two. After serving 25 years in the Navy, I’m now a peace officer for the “state of confusion” (California State Park Service). We may only be State Park Rangers but we’re the sworn “Warriors of the Woods,” protecting the parks from the people, people from the parks and doing our best to just maintain, considering our state’s current fiscal nightmare. I truly hope this was just an oversight on the magazine’s part and not a hit against the Navy’s active-duty and veteran personnel out there. Keep writing a great rag. Gary F. Brennan Santa Cruz, Calif. Whether you job involves restoring power, knocking down a blaze or putting away bad guys, Getac’s rugged V100 convertible laptop is ready for practically any challenge. Getac, Built to Survive. www.getac.com __ Optional 1200 NITs display / Magnesium alloy casing / Convertible tablet screen / Intel® Core® 2 Duo processor / Full-size keyboard / MIL-STD-810F and iP54 certified © 2009 Getac Inc. All rights reserved. GETAC is a registered trademark and Built to Survive is a trademark of GETAC Inc. FMG HALF VERT 315.indd 1 reTurn FIRE dren of society who respect nothing. Unfortunately, those 5-percent cause 95-percent of the problems. The up-side of the equation is by concentrating on the 5-percent you manage to solve 95-percent of the problems. The rule sinks in quickly and it’s not long before every rookie realizes he/she has a lot of repeat customers. The technical term for the 5-percent rule is criminal profiling, but current political correctness often instructs new officers to treat everyone the same. There’s now confusion between criminal and racial profiling, which have nothing in 12 I’m such a dork! I can only fall on my sword and offer my most humble apologies for such an egregious blunder. This is only a small sampling of the letters I common. Retired Lt. Col. Dave Gross- received, kicking my butt for not includ3/13/09 4:04:21 man (a noted law enforcement trainer and PM ing the Navy as one of the answers. I’m author of officer safety books, such as The even a military brat and my stepfather Bullet Proof Mind) explains when cops was career Navy. I’ll work hard to not conduct criminal profiling they’re acting let something like this slip by again. If I much like the sheepdogs trained to spot do, please keep sending me those letters wolves preying on a flock of sheep. of “Whoop-Ass.” SH A cop’s unique ability to see the wolves hiding among the sheep is one not shared AmericAn cOP Tm welcomes letters to the editor. We reserve the right by politicians and lawyers, and because to edit all published letters for clarity and length. Due to the volume they don’t have this perspective they often of mail, we are unable to individually answer your letters or e-mail. in believe we don’t either. These skills are sending a lette2009-09-29T16:10:26+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=13http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=13g2g GOOD TO GO GEAR JOhn cOnnOr if you’ve been waiting for a real handheld light-cannon; an “illumination weapon” which can slam a dirtbag’s pupils shut with one quick close-range blast and scramble the eggs of his equilibrium with its sun-like strobe; something with the reach for lighting up long alleys and deep into ravines — without pulling it on wheels — the STOPLITE STL-300J was made for you. This 700-lumen blinder can be used as a stand-alone handheld unit or mounted as a vertical foregrip on the 1913 rail of a long gun. right-side pushbuttons select Steady and Strobe functions of the light and another serves as an on/off switch. either function can be activated in momentary mode by the big thumb-sized pushbutton mounted on the rear of the pistol grip. A powerful red aiming laser, adjustable for windage and elevation, is mounted on the left and controlled by a red button on the right. it can be operated independently or in tandem with the light. There’s even an accessory power receptacle so you can add, for example, an ir illuminator and/or aiming unit for use with night Vision gear. Four cr123 Lithium batteries are stowed in the butt, yielding a long eight hours of runtime at peak power. The grip has hand-filling ergonomic contours, and the rear portion is a grip-enhancing rubber overmold. The large rail-locking retention screw and quick-release bar provide fast, easy mounting and dismounting. The fit, finish and details are typically slick SiG SAUer. What a great excuse for buying a SiG 556 to mount it on! $215 mSrP; limited lifetime warranty. www.sigsauer.com stoPLite By sig sauer “Glory is something that some men chase and others find themselves stumbling upon, not expecting it to find them.” – Petty Officer Marc Lee BENCHMADE.COM ©2009 BENCHMADE KNIFE CO. OREGON CITY, OR, USA JOhn cOnnOr An officer moving from Patrol to investigations found his big, bulky Level-iii polymer duty belt holster doesn’t cut it in soft clothes. “how `bout a recommendation,” he asked, “On a leather or fabric belt holster offering both speed and security?” The search extended to about six feet: Bianchi’s model 82 CarryLok and 4584 Evader have both, plus a very comfortable carry. The extremely strong FingerLok mechanism forms a tough synthetic trigger guard clamp in the rear portions of these rigs, engaging the Auto retention device instantly when you holster your weapon. check the small curved paddle behind the trigger guard areas in the photo: That’s where your middle finger naturally falls when you grip the butt of your sidearm, and all it takes is an inward push to release the weapon for an upward draw. The front areas of both the leather model 82 CarryLok and fabric-faced trilaminate model 4584 Evader are smooth inside and semi-rigid enough to hold shape well and accommodate one-handed re-holstering. Both holsters position handguns fairly high and with a moderate forward cant — ideal for most situations and operators. Both also have extremely low “exterior impact noise signatures,” meaning an unintended bump against a hard object isn’t going to sound like a fastball bein’ whacked into the center field bleachers — i like that — and it can be invaluable in dark, nasty places where you wanna sound like fog… www.bianchi-intl.com WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM Bianchi FingerLok auto retention hoLsters THE MARC LEE GLORY KNIFE Model 150 BKSN MODEL SHOWN: 150BKSN 132009-09-29T16:10:26+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=14http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=14NEW. THREE TACTICAL TOOLS IN ONE MODULAR PACKAGE. Modular Vertical Foregrip > INDEPENDENT MOMENTARY, STROBE AND CONSTANT-ON MODES > LASER FULLY ADJUSTABLE FOR WINDAGE AND ELEVATION > REPLACEABLE, 150/200-LUMEN LED LIGHT MODULE > AMBIDEXTROUS DUAL-SIDE ACTIVATION SWITCHES > FITS PICATINNY 1913 RAILS > PATENT-PENDING DESIGN NO TOOLS REQUIRED FOR ASSEMBLY OR DISASSEMBLY (800) 442-2406 www.crimsontrace.com 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 14 WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2009 © 2007 Olin Corporation, East Alton, Illinois 620242009-09-29T16:10:26+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=15http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=15g2g aPerture sight and MuLtiMount TM JOhn cOnnOr Joseph Kiser is fanatic about shooting, precision machining, and building virtually bombproof weapons accessories. When some Tactical Trolls told him they were routinely breaking collapsible rear sights on their Ars and asked for something grunt-proof they could hammer nails with, he obliged with a tank-tough fixed-post rail-mountable aperture rear sight. Once in place, this sight ain’t goin’ anywhere. Built to provide constant availability without cluttering the sight picture of an optic, the base is 7075 T6 aluminum with Type iii hardcoat anodizing. The worm, sight post, screw and clamp are 4142 steel, finished in black oxide. Positive-click .5 mOA windage adjustments can be made with a coin or case rim. The unit weighs only 1.7 ounces, and lists for $99. The MultiMount offers a single, compact, stable mounting solution for the Aimpoint compm4 and its companion 3Xmagnifier. The low-profile design allows for quick attachment and removal of the 3Xmagnifier with dependable retention once the compm4 optic is in place. The MultiMount is also machined from 7075 T6 aluminum with Type iii anodizing and has strong screw-locking helical inserts. The design allows use of the 3Xmagnifier without changing your cheekweld position on the gunstock. it’s a great piece of gear for $179. www.kisermunitions.com $ 8.49 Plus S/H 2 Pack For On Orders of 3 Packs Or More FREE Shipping “QuickStrips solve a significant issue for the defensive revolver, extra ammunition in a flat concealable format. We carry them and recommend them to our clients.” Clint & Heidi Smith Thunder ranch, OregOn Now in .44 Caliber New 5 Round .38 .17HMR .22 Rim Fire .223 .30.06 .30-30 .308 .32/.327 .38/.357 S&W .40 .41 Magnum .410 Shot Gun .44/.45/.460 .45 Auto Rim .45 ACP .475 Linebaugh .480 Ruger .500 Linebaugh .500 S&W 9mm tacticaL resPonse coMBat shirt QuickStripTM Pouch JOhn cOnnOr if you work a SWAT unit or tactical team, you may already be familiar with the quality of Tru-Spec’s classic TrU Tactical response Uniform and their on/off-duty 24/7 “discreet” garments. Their latest achievement in “combat comfort” is one i wish had been around when i working metro/SWAT: The Tactical Response Combat Shirt, made to be worn under hot, heavy body armor and protective vests. The pockets and plackets of tacuniform tunics are great if you’re not armored up like a ninja Turtle, but under that gear? They’re worse than useless, denying use of those pockets, multiplying heat and steaming sweat, and chafing the hell out of the toughest hide. in designing the Combat Shirt, Tru-Spec retained and expanded on the utilitarian sleeve pockets, elbow protection and cinch-tight cuffs, but replaced the collar and torso with high-performance cordura Brand Baselayer. it’s soft, smooth and breathable, moisture-wicking, fast drying and also provides low-level heat protection with a no-drip no-melt formulation. Additional features include gusseted sleeves for maximum mobility, seamless shoulders to minimize rubbing and binding, and Glint Tape holders for ir-reflective tags. Tactical, practical, tough and comfy, the Combat Shirt is offered in all the usual camouflage and solid-color flavors. www.truspec.com WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM $ 19.99 Plus s/h Wraps around belts up to 1 3/4”and is designed for use with one or two QuickStrips™. Available in 3 sizes to fit your QuickStrips™. Black or Coyote Brown Or Call: 877-883-3776 1031 Bay Blvd, Ste V, Chula Vista, CA 91911 Order Online: www.tuffproducts.com * 152009-09-29T16:10:26+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=16http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=16CorreCTIonS BEHIND THE FENCE. BRIAN DAWE here have been gangs in our prisons and jails for as long as there have been prisons and jails. It’s the natural result of confinement when groups vie for control of the limited commerce and contraband flowing inside a correctional facility. Self-protection has also been a major impetus in the formation of gangs behind the walls as was the case with the Aryan Brotherhood. The AB was founded in San Quentin Prison in California in 1967 in response to the formation of the Black Guerrilla Family, which began operations the previous year. The Mexican Mafia, Neta, Le Nuestra Familia and more recently the Assembly of Authentic Islam are just a few of the dozens of gangs that have their roots in correctional facilities. Prison GanGs: AN OVerVIeW t Indeed many of the most notorious and violent street gangs we now see across the nation had their beginnings in our nations prisons and jails. The gangs are not going away. As our facilities become more overcrowded and understaffed gangs will become more emboldened and will flex their internal muscles in new and more dangerous ways. Their reach goes beyond the walls and affects the safety of a The STaTS the public and the lives of Correctional Officers and staff who deal with them on a daily base. Once again we in corrections find ourselves placed in a position of having to do the impossible. Even when the threats stare us right in the face we are forced to be reactionary rather than proactive, the results shouldn’t surprise anyone ccording to the National Alliance of Gang Investigators as reported in the 2005 National Gang Threat Assessment, 11.7% of federal inmates, 13.4% of state inmates and 15.6% of county inmates were gang members. Over 325,000 inmates are now estimated to be gang members. It is reported that over 1/3 of all violent incidents in our prisons and jails are gang related. In recent years a disturbing trend has developed, we are now finding that the violence imposed against staff has gone beyond the walls and followed my profession into the streets. In 1996 in Shelby County, Tennessee, Jail Officer Deadrick Taylor was gunned down in front of his house and murdered in front of his family. Officer Taylor had placed a gang member on lock down status the day before. Because of this, a hit was ordered on Taylor and four members of the Traveling Vice Lords brutally followed out that order using an assault rifle (AK-47) and handguns. This is not a singular incident according to the 2005 report, “Latin King members are known for their control over correctional officers and routinely order hits on those who fail to cooperate with them.” The advent of private prisons has spurred even more gang activity as well. Private prisons will often put inmates from various jurisdictions in the same prison, sharing the same yard and housing units. Assaults, murders and riots have resulted from such policies. Inmates from Hawaii, when shipped to private prisons on the mainland, formed gangs to protect themselves when previously the Hawaii DOC reported limited gang involvement by these inmates. One of the biggest riots in private prison history took place in 2004 at the Crowley County Correctional Facility near Olney Springs, Colorado. Reports indicate one of the issues that sparked the violent outbreak and caused millions of dollars of damage came as a result of inmates from several states being thrown together. Nearly 200 inmates from Washington and over 100 from Wyoming were mixed in with 800 inmates from Colorado. Under the best of circumstances inmates don’t play well together. Add to the mix the anxiety of being hundreds of miles from home with little contact from family and friends, new rules, directives and inmates from various backgrounds and cultures and the results shouldn’t surprise anyone. The DOJ's GangTECC Web site is a wealth of information and powerful tool to help you fight gang violence. 16 G angs have become such a huge part of the prison2009-09-29T16:10:26+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=17http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=17has established GangTECC, which is a “multi-agency center designed to serve as a critical catalyst in a unified federal effort to help disrupt and dismantle the most significant and violent gangs in the United States.” GangTECC is comprised of members from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the United States Marshals Service (USMS) and the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the Department of Homeland Security. The government has also established the National Gang Intelligence Center (NGIC), which is described as a “multiagency effort that integrates the gang intelligence assets of federal, state and lo- More organizations are concentrating on the impact gangs have and are devising ways to combat this violent onslaught. cal law enforcement entities to serve as a centralized intelligence resource for gang information and analytical support.” Every year throughout the nation seminars and conferences are held to address the mounting problem of prison gangs. My organization hosted the American Correctional Officer Medal of Honor and Fall Training Conference in September, focusing on this very subject. And more organizations are concentrating on the impact gangs have and are devising ways to combat this violent onslaught. We’re getting a handle on some of the more dangerous gangs and identified them as Security Threat Groups, made good progress in identifying their individual members behind the walls and on the streets and are sharing information across jurisdictional and agency lines. However as more inmates have been stuffed into fewer cells our ability to separate gang members, decrease the violence and gather intelligence is being significantly hampered. How do you separate these inmates when there are no empty cells to send them to? * For more info: GangTECC, www.usdoj.gov/criminal/gangtecc/ WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM 172009-09-29T16:10:26+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=18http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=18HIgH TECH JIM DONAHuE CuTTING EDGE WIDGETs — AND OTHER NEW sTuFF. Cutting through the Bull — W Is your agency’s patrol car technology from the dark ages? How do you get to today’s level without breaking the bank or crashing the whole system? Patrol Car technology hen it comes to getting functional computers into your patrol cars there’s no “one-stop shopping,” no one vendor has it all; they each have their specialty areas. Current needs of your agency should be carefully compared against what you already have. You might Reporting For Duty already have computers in your cars, but were they installed ten years ago when 1Mb of hard drive space was the cat’s meow? In that case you’re faced with selecting new computers, new mounts, modems or air cards and of course, the now requisite printer. Selecting each piece can prove vital to the gear remaining functional under adversity and doing no harm to the officers who share a car with it. And the software — that’s a whole ‘nother story. Maybe you need to update or upgrade your mobile client, the governor of the whole system. It’s what allows your CAD to handle inquiries to NCIC and your state/local systems as well as car-to-car or car-to-dispatch messaging. BIO-key International’s MobileCop, Motorola’s Premier MDC and others offer this, but they also have to play well with the other programs your mobile configuration uses such as mapping software and GPS technology. Beware of the salesman in shiny suit, wearing what looks like a Mr. T starter set of gold chains. Chances are he’s only trying to sell you — Snake Oil. C onverting most report forms to a digital format is fairly easy and most agencies have had great success in the “paperless” report. Collision reports have been more problematic however. The problems lay mostly in the diagramming software, which in most cases is overly complicated. A critical aspect to consider with any of the crash programs is data sharing — the ability to interface with NCIC and state databases so vehicle or personal data can be imported to the report directly from the database. This one aspect helps significantly reduce the amount of typographical errors, particularly with VINs, submitted in reports. Data sharing also helps with electronic ticketing, allowing officers to import most of the information on the ticket, reducing the margin for error and also saving a heap of time writing it out. And administrators have learned electronic traffic ticketing has increased the volume of citations issued, thus increasing the amount of money generated into the coffers. That’s a financial home-run in these difficult times, so you can be certain you’ll be asked to include this software as well. So you have your shopping list of hardware, software, underwear and whatever — it’s likely multiple vendors will be providing all this software. Each piece must “talk” to all of the others so the data sharing will work. Additionally, all finished reports and tickets need to automatically be disseminated correctly; to the departments record system, the court system and any other agency in Make your list and check it twice — you’re sure to find out who’s naughty need of the finand nice in the world of sales. ished product. The Best Defense … G etting all of this stuff to work the way you want is a project of its own, getting it to play nicely with all of the other players is an exponentially greater task. This isn’t like going to the store and buying a toaster or fax machine. In this case, you’re choosing partners and it’ll be a marriage, of sorts, because it’ll be a long-term relationship and it will require a leap of faith on your part to get it launched. Getting the entire system to work cohesively will take patience, diligence, and maybe some vodka or Valium to calm your nerves. You could easily spend a year or two getting all of the wrinkles worked out. At the outset, you cannot imagine all the decisions you’ll make, obstacles you’ll handle and political waters you’ll navig2009-09-29T16:10:26+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=19http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=19know existed. If you allow it, shinysuited salesman, who are perfectly manicured, and have, “exactly what you need,” will consume a disproportionate amount of your day. They’ll swamp you with literature and DVDs showing their best side. A few may even have snake oil for sale. … Is A Good Offense Before talking to a single outsider, you should know, in concrete terms, what you want to accomplish. It should be stated in simple terms of the impact on the job rather than in technical terms. Let the vendors figure out the technology. You need to have clear goals relating to making your cops safer, helping them get the mundane tasks done more quickly, and very specific operational goals of the project. Armed with a game plan, you’ll know at the outset whether a vendor is worth your time or consideration. For example, if your court won’t accept electronic tickets, you don’t need to talk to a vendor who only has that to offer. Every salesman wants to give you a demonstration of his product(s); after all it’s their job. Your job is to control the show. Before each demonstration, make a list of the specific things you want to see the product perform; call it your critical item list. It could be anything from seeing it handle instant messaging between cars to writing a traffic ticket. Typically, sales slime want to show you the most glitzy and glamorous aspects of their latest software, but you can’t be absorbed by the show; you’ll risk losing sight of the agencies needs. Whether or not you watch the canned show is your call, but be sure you see exactly how the proposed product will handle the jobs you need. The glitter is pretty, but in reality it may simply be useless. The relationship with each vendor will endure over a period of months or years. Implementation of the products will have a rollout followed by a period of refinement. There will be changes, corrections and alterations that can be driven only by your unique experiences. You can’t imagine what they’ll be until you’re in the deep end of the pool — and the vendor has your money. Editor’s note: Go to www.americancopmagazine.com and click on Web Blast to get a complete questionnaire you can use when interviewing a snake oil salesman, uh, I mean a vendor. For more info: MobileCop, www.bio-key. com; Premier MDC, www.motorola.com WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM WHETHER YOU WEAR A BADGE, BLUE JEANS, CAMO OR KHAKIS Entry tactical NM A4 Coyote Rifle REFLECT WHO YOU ARE LE Home Hunt Target Reflect who you are at www.rockriverarms.com Al Mar Knives Dynamic Our Payara knife provides an aggressve design for the serious outdoorsman. ™ Dual thumbstuds and stainless steel clip complete the package. l e a r n m o r e @ w w w . a l m a r k n i v e s . c o m 19 PAYARA 3.5” Blade elite comp2009-09-29T16:10:26+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=20http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=20CArrY OPTIONs FROM HOlsTERs TO HAVERsACKs. MARK HANTEN A Plate Carrier for Patrol active shooter situation, the barrage of cell phone calls should let you know it’s hitting the fan. So now that you know you’re going to a gunfight with rifles, what do you need to take with you? If you’re on patrol, it’s really quite simple, it’s what you already carry on your belt — plus a rifle, ammo, and hard armor. Personally, I wouldn’t screw with much of anything else. You’re going hunting for a killer, and your biggest assets are speed, surprise, and aggression (and don’t ignore your instincts telling you about the IEDs, ambushes and this whole thing might just be a diversion). Food, water, and a doctor’s bag don’t make the cut for me. This is an assault, not an occupation, and you’ll be getting more resources before you starve or die of thirst. You do need a Combat Application Tourniquet (C-A-T) though, they’re name says it all. If you don’t already know about the C-A-T yet, talk to any well-trained medic who’s been in the sand box lately — these things will save your life. That’s what you’ll need if the fight goes wrong, but what about while you’re in the fight? E 5.11 Tactical’s Large Plate Carrier is an ideal design for the patrol officer responding to an active shooter call. See how it’s sitting above his gun belt? very day I’m a little more convinced the next big terror attack will involve active shooters. A couple of issues ago I introduced a couple of bandoliers from BLACKHAWK!. They’re great for responding to an active shooter scenario, but they both lacked ou need a simple plate carrier with extra magazines. You also need a placard front and back identifying you as a cop, because without them an armed citizen or off duty cop could easily mistake you for the aggressor. Even if they don’t shoot you, they might direct precious resources to go after you, rather than the real bad guys. The folks at 5.11 Tactical make good gear, and they have a great patrol plate carrier that’s the ideal solution. 5.11’s “Large Plate Carrier” is easy and quick to get on, with only one Fastex buckle on each side. It’s made of sturdy but lightweight breathable mesh and is cut high enough to accommodate a duty belt. The “Large Plate Carrier” is covered with MOLLE webbing and has Velcro front and back for ID placards. 5.11’s double magazine carrier with bungees is an excellent pouch to carry extra ammo. Or better yet, get two of their stacked double pouches with cover, and go into the fight with eight magazines plus what’s in your gun. 5.11 uses their Slickstick system to weave the pouch to the MOLLE webbing on the vest. It’s a good, low profile system and it’s reasonably priced — about $60-$100, depending on how you configure it. Not working patrol? Stay tuned, and I’ll address plate carriers for those not already equipped with a gun belt in an upcoming issue. 20 Y Peter Piper’s Plates For Your Porter Plate Porter one component that might save your ass — hard armor. Real bad guys know you should bring a rifle to a gunfight, and they know they’re going to; remember the LA bank shootout? As cops we often have no real idea what type of call we’re going to until we’re in the middle of it, but in an ou’ll have to have plates for your plate carrier. Protective Products International offers just what you need. Their 10" x 12" triple curve ceramic plate, and 10" x 12" single curve ceramic plate are NIJ threat level IV stand-alone plates. Just so you know, there’s no such thing as a level IV (soft body armor) vest, IIIA is as good as vests get. NIJ requires level IV plates to stop 7.62mm FMJ and .30 caliber AP bullets — ouch. Weighing in at approximately eight pounds each, they’re not light, but worn snug to the body in a good plate carrier they’re not only manageable, they’ll give you a lot of comfort. Protective Products International sells their plates directly to officers with proper ID, and they also offer plate carriers and pouches to go with their armor. Y2009-09-29T16:10:26+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=21http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=21THE RUGER ® SR-556 ™ 6-Position Telescoping M4-Style Buttstock Chrome-Plated Bolt, Bolt Carrier and Extractor Chrome-Plated, Two-Stage Piston Driven Operating System Troy Industries Folding BattleSights™ 4-Position, Chrome-Plated Gas Regulator Hogue ® Monogrip ® Pistol Grip Three MAGPUL PMAG ™ 30-Round Magazines Included Troy Industries Quad Rail Handguard 5.56mm NATO/ .223 Rem. Troy Industries Rail Covers Cold Hammer-Forged, Chrome-Lined Mil-Spec 41V45 Barrel THE AR PLATFORM REDEFINED. Introducing the NEW Ruger SR-556 ™ , a two-stage piston driven AR-style rifle. The SR-556 ™ offers Ruger’s legendary rugged reliability, and comes factory standard with a host of accessories that today’s shooters demand. The piston driven SR-556™ runs cleaner, cooler, and is easier to maintain than gas driven rifles, offering significantly improved reliability. WWW.RUGER.COM/SR556 050409 ©2009 Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc.2009-09-29T16:10:26+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=22http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=22PrIVATe sECuRITY ED PAluMBO IssuEs AND TRENDs ON THE PRIVATE sIDE OF lAW ENFORCEMENT. Unified Risk-Management I A Cyber Space Nightmare n the modern age, private security (in the corporate arena) has the most perplexing of challenges — protecting assets, human and physical, as well as intangibles such as intellectual property and cyber data, while accomplishing this with restrained budgets. While many security managers relish the idea of a challenge, none I know look forward to meeting demands of their employer knowing their efforts are compromised from the very start. Unrealistic approaches, like unimaginative people, can’t succeed, certainly not in such treacherous economic times. A rational framework must sustain even the most progressive security programming. Such is the case with the growing trend towards convergence, linking the physical security platform of a company — guarding, gates, barriers, building and perimeter controls — with “logical” or cyber elements. Convincing corporate leaders a converged organizational approach makes financial and management sense can’t be easy even in companies where the embrace of new technologies is the reason for their very existence; it can be downright painful and near impossible in companies that are more prosaic as they approach and manage change. To be successful security organizations must become integrated, if not pervasive. Easier said than done — the fault line for performance primarily rests on the perceptions of security management and security’s ability to manage these perceptions with accurate intelligence aligned with mainstream operations. As we will see in the illustration below, perceptions can be shattered by the most surprising sources, revealing leadership and infrastructure as fragile when exposed to truly dangerous adversaries. Figure 1 Corporate Budget 10% 14.5% .5% 75% Survey SayS F or security to become influential Entertainment — and relevant — it must act in an all-encompassing manner. Traditional security functions Dinner Out must evolve toward consolidation, what many in the industry recognize as a unified risk-management function. When something unexpected occurs, Corporate Junkets negatively impacting the organization, security leadership must be accountable. Whether this comes in the shape of an internal scandal that rocks the Security board of directors or an indecipherable flu virus that spreads beyond borders and fells employees, organizations will hold security to account for awareness and enhancement. This is best accomplished by workSource: Corporate Budget Office ing with leadership groups to redefine a comprehensive resiliency strategy. Security leadership should oversee development of a unified risk-management strategy aligned with each function to accomplish core objectives and preserve the confidentiality and integrity of critical resources. Under a unified risk-management function all potential hazards are considered, focusing on counter-measures that limit the impact of events, producing timely insights for decision-making regardless of the source of intelligence. Not everyone is convinced of this strategy: According to a study done in 2007 by Deloitte & Touche companies surveyed were divided between actively investigating or carrying out convergence and not pursuing it at all. 43-percent of the executives said their organizations had integrated information and physical security, with an additional 3-percent in the process or intending to integrate within the next 12 months. The push to integrate is relatively new; with just 17-percent of those whose companies integrated saying they had done so more than three years ago. OH BUGGERS! I n addition to the natural ambivalence of some corporations to embrace such transformation other, hidden vulnerabilities can yield disastrous results: Self-defeating aspects of convergence include — as with any human endeavor involving two or more people — the prospect of breaches of security committed by actua2009-09-29T16:10:26+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=23http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=23the conflict realms like law enforcement and the protective arts, the weakest link, that singular element most susceptible to failure, is within each of us, not the hardwiring behind card readers and video surveillance equipment. If there are any doubts about that theorem, ask Sir John Sawers. Don’t recognize the name? Thirty years ago his name would be known to no one, even in his own organization, his agents would refer to him only as “M.” But, this is not Ian Fleming’s MI6. According to the Daily Mail, the new head of MI6 has been left vulnerable by an extraordinary security breach after his Dominate the Darkness ® She put no privacy protection on her account, making it visible to any of the site’s 200 million users. wife published intimate photographs and family details on Facebook. She put no privacy protection on her account, making it visible to any of the site’s 200 million users. Sir John is due to take over as chief of the Secret Intelligence Service in November, putting him in charge of Britain’s spying operations abroad. (Should he survive this convergence of the stupendously embarrassing and the profoundly stupid, he will be referred to as “G,” not M, or even “C,” the actual designation of Britain’s WWII MI6 chief.) Based on his wife’s exploits his new title may in fact have many letters, as in FUBAR — a wholly American WWII codename — but that may be too sarcastic at the moment. There are fears the hugely embarrassing blunder may have compromised the safety of Sir John’s family and friends. His wife’s entries on the social networking site have exposed potentially compromising details about where they live and work, who their friends are and where they spend their holidays. It’s worth repeating that this man is due to assume responsibilities as Britain’s chief spymaster and, most dismaying of all, Sawers will be responsible for that government’s new cyber security organization when he begins in November. Unified risk-management approaches may be the first order of business for “G,” as they should for any self-respecting security professional, with or without subversive elements in one’s own home. WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM 3.5 MOA or 7.0 MOA Red Aiming Dot Models Auto and Manual Adjust Dot Intensity Waterproof to 66 Feet/MIL-STD-810G Rated Available in Black or Tan InsightTechGear.com Toll Free: 877-744-4802 * 232009-09-29T16:10:26+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=24http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=24oFFICer suRVIVAl JOHN RussO GETTING HOME IN THE sAME CONDITION YOu WENT TO WORK IN. shoPPinG For oFFicer saFetY f your spouse is anything like mine, she’ll tell ya you’re hard to buy for. So to help you avoid the tie and sweater curse, you can leave this magazine in a conspicuous place — with big circles around the stuff you really want. While this may look like a Christmas round up (and it is), it’s also a focus on the kind of quality gear that’ll help keep you alive in the field. For when your rifle becomes the glass entry tool, the GAT from XS Sight Systems allows you to multi-task with your rifle — just remember to keep your finger off the trigger. i This Woolrich Elite Series CCW shirt isn’t screaming cop. Now if you’ll just stop wearing your uniform pants and boots to and from work, you’ll be the only one who knows you’re packin’. has a hardened pointed tip that protrudes in front of the muzzle. This allows the user to breach glass without having to remove their hands from their weapon. It’s easy to install and extremely durable. At around $80 you should give it a look. Power Poker XS Sight Systems is known for their excellent rapid acquisition sights, now they’ve gone in a new direction and created an AR accessory that’ll make you say, “Why didn’t I think of that?” It’s called the GAT, which stands for Glass Assault Tool. This little device bolts onto the muzzle behind the flash hider and Stark Equipment Corporation has just hit the market with a new grip for an AR. But this isn’t just another grip, this thing completely changes the feel of the AR. Through better geometry, it gives better control over the weapon during firing while allowing precise trigger line-up. It has an integral trigger guard that helps when using gloves and with its flared base, your hand won’t slip down. They even put a great storage space in the grip for batteries or small parts. It comes in black, earth, OD and camo colors and it’s only about $40. Get A Grip steel sight containing a fiber optic lightpipe encapsulated in Lexan. They come in red or green for just about any gun. More importantly, their fast acquisition makes you faster on the range, which means you’re better and safer on the street. Check out their new AR sight, which makes cowitnessing second nature. They only cost $30-$50 depending on your gun and once you have them; you can buy replacement light-pipes. SureFire’s LX1 is a redesign of an old-standby and is now more pocket-friendly. Bright Idea SureFire has redesigned their popular L1 light. It’s been dehorned to make it more comfortable to carry in the pocket and is now called the LX1. Add the T1A Titan or the E1B Backup, and you have plenty of good options for a pocket/back up light with the power to win the fight. SureFire makes some pretty interesting knives too. The EW-04 Delta Folder is one I like, especially for uniformed patrol. Prices for these lights vary, from about $150-$240. The knife is a bit more at $425. Batteries Not Included Stark Equipment Corporation’s AR grip is flared to help keep your hand from slipping off. HiVis sights have gained notoriety for their line of innovative sights. Their handgun sights are good and won’t cost you an arm and a leg. They’re a HiVis sights for duty handguns uses the technology they developed for long-gun sights and transferred it to handguns. They’re bright and rugged. Don’t Go Commando Former Navy SEAL Mike Noell is the poster-child for success stories. 24 WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 20092009-09-29T16:10:26+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=25http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=25Having started out in his garage, he’s made BLACKHAWK! a benchmark for all things tactical. From rugged packs and the Serpa holster (now with a quick disconnect system), to knives like the CQD Mark 1 Type E, they’ve gone off and made a line of engineered-fit underwear. I know, how are my chonies related to officer safety. Well, I’ll tell ya, if your tightie-whities are creepin’ and crawlin’, you may be more focused on that than the task at hand. These new undies will keep you cool in the summer and warm in the winter — very impressive. Optimum Optics Nowadays about 70-percent of you are carrying a gun on duty with Trijicon night sights riding the slide. Not only have they improved these throughout the years, but also they’ve come out with their own line of scopes illuminated with tritium and fiber optics. Also new is their RMR (Ruggedized Miniature Reflex). This thing is impressive to read about but even better to shoot, especially as an add-on to an ACOG. And if you really want to be awed, take a look at their night vision or the new Advanced Thermal Weapon Sight. This baby is so advanced; it can see 10-minute-old footprints! Armed And Stylish A few short years ago the name Woolrich conjured up images of hardy mountain men dressed for the elements. Woolrich Tactical quickly changed that with their ever-expanding line of user-friendly gear aimed at the armed professional. I use their excellent base layers while moose hunting in Canada, their great tactical pants and shirts on the range, and their rugged outerwear on duty and anywhere else the elements turn nasty. Woolrich has you covered with the latest designs. I’m especially fond of their Elite Series CCW shirt; this baby opens on the sides giving you quick access to your gear. * For more info: XS Sight Systems, www. xssights.com; Stark Equipment Corporation, www.starkequipment.com; HiVis Sights, www.hivizsights.com; SureFire, www.surefire.com; BLACKHAWK!, www. blackhawk.com; Trijicon, www.trijicon. com; Woolrich Tactical, www.woolricheliteseriestactical.com WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM 252009-09-29T16:10:26+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=26http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=26HArD TOOls PAul MARKEl EssENTIAl TOOls FOR THE JOB. The FNS 120 Super Scope, way better name than Hybrid BinoScope. FNS 120 SuPER SCOPE I Can See ClearlY now sometimes even good binos aren’t powerful enough. Observing a target from a fixed position is the job of a spotting scope. The spotting scope has the power or magnification advantage over field binoculars. The downside to most spotting scopes is size and weight. Truth is, most departments use both; binoculars for a quick peek and spotting scopes for long-range, continuous observation. A I ny cop worthy of wearing the badge is constantly checking his surroundings, always looking for something. While on patrol you’re looking for anything out of the ordinary or verifying all’s in order. There are times we need to look at something very specific — surveillance or stakeouts come to mind, as do tactical scenarios. Sooner or later the time will come when you’ll need to get a close look at something from a considerable distance away. The go-to tool is usually a good set of binoculars, but Peek-A-Boo ’ve been using spotting scopes for a number of years. Large, powerful spotting scopes are great for long distances but they’re all subject to scope tremor and they can magnify the sun’s mirage to the point of distraction. Also, the vast majority of spotting scopes are monocular which work just fine for what I’d call short-term viewing. On the range you take a peek through your spotting scope, verify your shots and get back on your rifle. On a surveillance you can spend hours looking though a spotting scope trying to keep track of a target. If you’ve ever been there and done that you know the headache that comes from hours of staring through a scope. Unless you’ve suffered head trauma, all humans have binocular vision. Since most spotting scopes are monocular, therein lays the problem for long-term viewing. Rogue River Super Scopes have come up with a solution and it’s called the FNS 120 Super Scope. As the name Don’t look into the light! The big 120mm implies, this spotting scope has objective lens gathers copious light. a 120mm objective lens, nope I didn’t fumble the keyboard, that’s 120mm. What makes the Super Scope so unique is what caught my eye when I first glanced at it — it’s binocular. When I showed it to a cop buddy of mine he said the 120 Super Scope looked like his binoculars and spotting scope hooked-up and had a baby. That over-simplified observation is really not too far from the truth. Rogue River took the viewing comfort of binoculars and combined them with the power and clarity of a spotting scope. Dynamic Entry Small Pry tool. The Super Scope uses crystal-clear binocular eyepieces. No more eyestrain or fatigue associated with already arduous surveillances. The DNA etting down to specifics, the Super Scope has a detachable binocular viewing unit that uses interchangeable eyepieces. Two eyepiece sets are included with the kit. These are 21mm for 30x magnification and 30mm for 20x. Other G 26 WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 20092009-09-29T16:10:26+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=27http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=27eyepiece sets will be available later. The focus knob is ambidextrous. Overall length for the assembled scope is 22" and the total weight is around seven pounds. No, you’re not going to be picking it up to take a quick peek. There’s a rotating tripod mount wrapped around the center and an extendable sunshade on the front end. The entire scope kit is shipped in a padded, lockable hard case. Inside the hard case the scope rests in a removable nylon soft case, thus you have the hard case for regular, daily transport and a soft case for field deployment. Range Test While checking out the Super Scope I didn’t have the opportunity to snoop on bad guys, but I did take it to the rifle range. I’ve found the most stable platform for my spotting scope is to use the utility straps on my field pack and cinch it down With the Super Scope you get a quality spotting scope without eyestrain and fatigue from using it. That’s pretty good in my book. tight. My first impression was the view through the scope was crystal clear. The objective lens naturally gathers a tremendous amount of light and the focal lens eyepiece set is high-end as well. Rogue River describes their eyepiece lenses as high resolution, low dispersion, and fullycoated apochromatic (corrected for four colors). I had to look it up too. The Super Scope lets you use both eyes to see distant targets exceptionally well. At 100 yards I could read the stock number printed on the paper target I posted, the letters were 1/8". At 350 yards I could read the1.5" letters on the same type of paper target. Is the Super Scope pricey? Sure, but it’s a high-end optic, not some cheap Chinese knock-off and our job is too damned important to rely on cheap optics — you get what you pay for. With the Super Scope you get a quality spotting scope without eyestrain and fatigue from using it. That’s pretty good in my book. For more info: Rogue River Super Scopes, www.roguesuperscopes.com WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM 27 *2009-09-29T16:10:26+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=28http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=28reSerVeS PERRY W. HORNBARGER DEDICATION AND PROFEssIONAlIsM THAT GOEs BEYOND PAY. Winnebago Blues D oes your departwhen faced with times ment own like these. and staff a The commobile mand center comin my jurismand center of some diction is a type? As some of joint operayou know personnel tional effort costs are generally for our greater than 90-perpolice, fire cent of any departand sheriff’s ment’s budget. Even at departments that we don’t generally and was put to take into account those unthe test in late foreseeable long term situ2005 in the afToday’s lesson is about sharing … This command post serves three of our ations where personnel are county’s agencies — police, fire and sheriff’s. It was purchased through a grant termath of hurneeded on extended opera- and no one agency has all the responsibility. It makes this a win-win situation. ricanes Katrina tions, for sometimes days and Rita when it on end, at homicide scenes, missing persons, SWAT operations, was called to go to the gulf coast to assist in the relief effort. I etc. The overtime costs for these operations can be astronomical. was fortunate to be a part of that deployment and continue to In these tight economic times a little creativity may be needed to staff the unit, by virtue of being retired from the Fire Departhelp stretch those budget dollars. One way we can do that is by be- ment and through my auxiliary police position. Fire personnel ing creative in staffing these operations. Those who have a reserve primarily staff the command post, but because it’s used more or auxiliary component and a mobile command center of some in police operations we occasionally use auxiliary personnel type have most of the pieces in place to cut down overtime costs to augment various positions. If a police department had more responsibility in staffing the command post, an auxiliary unit would be a great way to supplement staffing. ou don’t have a mobile command center? What about some of your neighboring cities or counties? Our mobile command center was purchased for multiple users through a Department of Justice grant in 2005. Check around your area, you may be able to scrounge a “retired” delivery van or ambulance, or maybe an RV dealership has something to donate “to the cause.” Y We Want one too Command posts can really go a long way in keeping your personnel warm and dry in bad weather or giving your command staff a place to go, away from the media and public to think and make sound decisions. Depending on what your department can afford, a little ingenuity can go a long way. Using your reserve officers to augment your personnel in operations such as these can be an invaluable resource. What can they do? Here are a few ideas. Your needs may vary and you may have additional duties your people can do. Incident Documentation (Scribe) Command Post Security Canvassing L E presence in search teams Resource tracking Staging Officer Manning the phones Keeping the coffee pot full to stay on the street answering calls. As you know the world doesn’t stop just because you have a major incident going on. Be creative and maybe even offer additional training in this discipline so they can be better prepared to assist you when needed. There is nothing wrong with having a trained “team” available at your disposal for times like these. I can assure you; most volunteer members are dedicated and would jump at the chance to do something like this and many will seek this additional training on their own at no cost to you. Smart Staffing Keep in mind when you’re tackling this, most reserve officers are volunteers and some still have an obligation of putting bread on the table. Never forget this when you’re trying to augment your staffing. Most of we volunteers really enjoy doing things where we can truly be utilized and can see our efforts make a difference. Many agencies have this tremendous resource available and are crazy to not use it more often. Specialty built rigs like this can be very2009-09-29T16:10:26+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=29http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=29Pure Adrenaline from Smith & Wesson. Burn through all the ammunition you want with the new M&P15-22. The authentic Military & Police™ .22LR design accepts most after-market mil. std. accessories, plus costs a lot less to feed. Get your hands on one for some serious fun. Engineered and built in the U.S.A. smith-wesson.com NASDAQ: SWHC2009-09-29T16:10:26+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=30http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=30STreeT lEVEl JOHN MORRIsON sTRAIGHT TAlK ON suPERVIsION & lEADERsHIP ON THE FRONT lINEs — THE sTREETs. MeasuRe eveRy WORD: A regular correspondent here at COP recently wrote in commenting that we have lots of great info and advice for experienced officers – and sure, even for rookies whose leather gear has lost its Academy luster – but really, nothing for the noobies; the greenest of probationary cops. He made good points, discussing a number of things he wished someone had told him early in the game. Suzi, Roy, and I batted it around and agreed that niche was unfilled. We’re still discussing whether the subject deserves a regular column, an occasional feature, or what. You could help us in two ways: First, with your input as to the need, and second, your own suggestions: hard-won wisdom to pass along to the rawest ranks. Here are the first three to slide off my Teflon-coated mind. “If only I’d Been Told” easure every word coming out of your mouth. Then get a chamber gauge and check your throat and rectum, because believe me, every last word, any random comment may boomerang back on you, flying down your gullet or zipping up your butt. In my experience, looking hard at terminations of probationary officers for general or unspecified reasons, a majority of them involved some degree of “running off at the mouth.” Most often, rookies feel compelled to “introduce themselves” — at length — or ingratiate themselves to senior officers for their own comfort. It’s a natural “pack-joining” inclination, sure, but one frequently carried too far and extended to the wrong people. Subjects like their brother-in-law the convicted felon, who’s “really a nice guy though and we hang out, even go drinking;” drug use or petty crime as a teenager — “Man, sure is strange I wound up on this side of the law!” — or exaggerated tales of their sexual conquests, bare-knuckle brawling, binge drinking in college and more get around — and stay around, hanging invisibly but pungently over the rookie’s head. Such attacks of verbal diarrhea are often the deciding factor in whether to retain or release a probie. Rookies often feel like no one listens to them. Oh, they do! Veteran cops hear and retain everything; they just don’t show it while running an “Idiot Check” on the rook saying it. Rookies should know too that many “senior officers” who eagerly listen to their life stories and uninformed opinions are the last people they should be confiding in — the troublemakers, professional lightweights, division gossips and losers. Officers with ten M Rookies should measure every word, then gauge their throats and rectums … years on the job can be divided into those with ten years experience, and those with one year’s experience times ten. The latter are the ones most likely to be jackin’ jaws with rookies. Tell those rookies not to be too eager to make “lifelong friends.” Be courteous to all, familiar with none, and give yourself a couple of years. You’ll either develop the ability to know real cops and real friends by their actions — or you’ll be a jaw-jackin’ loser yourself. nce they’re kicked loose from the Academy, many rookies get overwhelmed with the demands of “real-world learning,” long night shifts yielding scrambled sleep patterns, daytime courtroom appearances, and the 30 o rest, eat, Drink & exercise compulsion — if they’re well-intentioned good guys — to continue the same level of family and social interaction they enjoyed as civilians. As a result of trying to devote 100-percent effort in nine different directions, they wind up shorting all of them, which creates even more stress and potentially career-cracking pressure. They rapidly build up a condition of chronic sleep deprivation, telling themselves they can hack it when human physiology insists they can’t; eating un- WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 20092009-09-29T16:10:26+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=31http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=31healthy, wolfed-down crap they wouldn’t have looked at much less consumed a few months back; dehydrating themselves, not drinking enough water — which is far more dangerous than they know, because even low-level dehydration significantly effects judgment and small-motor muscle coordination — and quickly falling off the exercise schedule which kept them in the top ten percent of their class. Tell `em it doesn’t have to be — and shouldn’t be — that way. Advise your rooks to tell family and friends “The Academy may have seemed tough, but this is the crucible;” they will have to experiment to achieve adequate sleep patterns, concentrate on a healthy, scheduled diet, hydrate properly, relieve stress and maintain fitness not just to “get through it,” but to survive it. Rookies should ask spouses and other family members for understanding, cooperation, and most importantly, to sound off if they think their rookie is slipping out of control … Assure them maximum effort will be made to keep family and friends’ relations running right, but it won’t be as it was before — this new life requires serious adjustments. And drinking “adult beverages”? Just this: One drink in 24 hours; eight hours minimum “bottle to throttle.” Let it be a mantra. Keep the booze lecture brief. If they’re smart they won’t need more. If they’re stupid, fire them. Tactical First Impressions Only Happen Once Illuminator That line is a fallacy, particularly in law enforcement, and especially for rookies. About 90-percent of all their early career contacts are “first impressions,” including every new citizen they deal with. Frequently, probationary officers let their uniformed appearance — themselves, their uniforms and gear — go to hell either because they’re busier than they ever thought possible, or they’re cultivating, they think, the “veteran cop look.” That’s bullshit. Explain to your rookies — and I hope you’re living the example — being sharply groomed, neatly pressed, polished and squared away in every detail is not about personality, it’s about professionalism. And professionalism is not negotiable … There are only about ten more volumes I can think of, but space is limited — and we want to hear your best advice to new bluesuits. Send your advice to: suzi@americancopmagazine.com 125+ Lumens Long Gun Touch Pad Remote Constant or Momentary Operation Shock Suppression System * InsightTechGear.com Toll Free: 877-744-4802 31 WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM2009-09-29T16:10:26+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=32http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=32CArS AND CrASHeS suZI HuNTINGTON A Real-Life Fantasy S suRVIVING IN YOuR MOBIlE OFFICE. Isn’t she lovely? The Carbon Motors E7 — a real police car. And check out the suicide doors! hopping for police cars can be a pretty mundane task for the bean counters, or a giggle-filled thrill ride for the cops who get to “test-drive” the new cars. During my career, and later as an EVOC instructor, I was exposed to several different police models from Chevy and Ford; old stand-bys like the Fairmount, Crown Victoria, The prisoner seat has easy-to-use seat belts and the whole area is sealed off from the LTD II, Caprice, Impala Finally, front seats made to accommodate front compartment so prisoner-yuck can’t and Malibu. I also worked your duty gear. Note the logically placed sneak forward. There are drain holes in the in other atypical vehicles shotgun and rifle mounts. floor to make hosing it out a breeze. transformed to look like police vehicles; F-150, Bronco and Blazer to name a few. On more than one occaI had an academy classmate who was seven-feet tall if sion I found myself scratching my head wondering, “Who he was an inch, and he’d stuff himself into one of those tiny the hell’s idea was it to call this a police car?” LTD IIs — it reminded me of a circus clown-car. I think the only people those little cars were made for were OompaLoompas, even I felt claustrophobic in them. Their one redeeming quality was they were really fast and fun to drive — until I crashed it. can’t exactly With Fords, I learned the “police package” was nothing say Carbon more than a bigger alternator and beefed-up suspension (gee, Motors is wow), the same “package” used for taxis. I’m not sure what “new” to the the police package is for Chevy or Dodge, but I do realize the field of car manupolice market is a very small portion of any of the Big-3 aufacturing considertomaker’s sales. They make cars for the masses and they’re ing everyone innot going to spend a boatload of money making something volved with making special for us. Is there anybody out there who will specificalthis law enforcely design and manufacture a vehicle for police? Enter Carbon It looks a little like an airplane ment-specific veMotors Corporation (golf-clap please). cockpit, but all the switches and hicle have lengthy levers are centrally located in backgrounds in the center console. If you look the automotive carefully, you’ll see the most industry. It would important feature of the E7 — be more apt to say ince the E7 is built solely for law enforcement, it’ll come the variable-sized cup holder. they’re in a class completely equipped, from the factory (in Connersville, IN) all their own. They’ve spent a lot of time researching our with no need for you to finish the project. No more add-on needs. They’ve conducted focus groups with hundreds light bars, prisoner cages, push bumpers, sirens, etc. Veof street cops, picking their brains about what they love hicles purchased from the other guys are delivered to your agency or hate with the average police car. From there, Carbon ready to tour the city as a passenger car. Then your auto mainteMotors built a genuine police car. nance crew has to strip out all the stuff not appropriate for police The E7 is the answer to every cop’s prayers and every cars and install all the police gear. And all this stuff is bought afteradministrator’s and bean counter’s shopping lists. While market and usually at a premium. only the prototype is currently available, Carbon Motors When an E7 is at the end of the road your agency can either sell is taking orders for the production model, which is due to it to another agency or Carbon Motors will buy it back to recondiroll out in 2012. This may seem like an eternity to wait, tion it or part it out and recycle as much of it as they can. Once a but this dream car didn’t just happen overnight. standard police car’s come to the end of its career your mechanics Who? I $ $aving$ — real & GreeN Continued on page 63 32 WWW.AM2009-09-29T16:10:26+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=33http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=332009-09-29T16:10:26+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=34http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=34Caliber: Capacity: Barrel length: length: Height: Width: Weight: Twist: grooves: sPeCIfICaTIoNs: 5.56 NaTo / .223 Remington 30 Rounds 16.12" 32.75" – 36.00" 7.75" (sights folded Down) 2.50" 7.92 lbs (Without Magazine) 1:9 RH 6 34 WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 20092009-09-29T16:10:26+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=35http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=35Dave Douglas ruGer’s neW sr556 with no ejection, a position for suppressor use, one for normal operation and finally one for difficult operating environments. The latter uses the widest gas vent and provides absolute reliability under heavy use or with difficult or heavily fouling ammunition. The energy is transferred by the piston driven, electroless nickel and Teflon-infused coated transfer rod to a one-piece bolt carrier with integral transfer key. t A WOrthy PAtrOl PArtner here are times when it’s really hard to keep a secret. This was one of them. I was at the Ruger factory in New Hampshire during what turned out to be the worst ice storm in 20 years. The purpose of the trip was to be introduced to their new little pistol, the LCR. All the writers had to sign nondisclosure forms for anything we saw in the plant during the visit. Fortunately, the embargo end date on the LCR was only a few months off and making it much easier. However, one thing I saw there, and signed my life away not to disclose, turned the secrecy requirement into a far more difficult task. Why? Because, it was way too cool! As is the custom with many manufacturers, Ruger was introducing the LCR at the upcoming SHOT Show. But, when they showed us their new SR556 rifle, they said it wasn’t going to be introduced for a while, as final prototype testing was still ongoing. Engineering Early in the project, Brian Vuksanovich was asked if he wanted to participate. Being one of Ruger’s chief engineers and an avid AR shooter he jumped at the chance. He told me, “What we wanted to do was make a more durable rifle, but we wanted everything to fit in the same envelope. I also wanted everything to work with all the older stuff. That’s part of the reason we kept the lower receiver standard and MIL-SPEC. We made most of the changes to the upper. We took all the things that were wrong with the design and improved them. One of our goals was to make the improvements without screwing up the things that were good in the original design.” Brian’s an avid reader of a number of Internet AR forums and commented on the amount of traffic carrying erroneous information. He said, “Some folks have been saying the receiver is cast and the barrel isn’t up to MIL-SPEC standards. They were guessing, but they guessed wrong. Everything on the gun is high quality. The receivers are forged aluminum and the heavy contour, chrome-lined barrel is cold hammer forged from MIL-SPEC 41V45 Chrome-Moly-Vanadium steel. Also, we chambered the gun in 5.56 NATO, which as you know, also fires .223 Remington ammunition.” “When we introduced the gun at the NRA show in 35 Operating System The lower is a standard AR system receiver. Everything is MIL-SPEC, allowing you to accessorize as far as your wallet will take you. The upper receiver is where Ruger put their stamp on the design, significantly improving function. The patent-pending, two stage, piston-driven, operating rod system delivers a smooth power stroke to the bolt carrier while venting combustion residue out the bottom of the gas block. The gun runs cooler, cleaner and is easier to maintain than gas driven rifles. This significantly improves operability and most importantly, reliability. It has an adjustable fourstage gas regulator allowing the shooter to select single shot WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM2009-09-29T16:10:26+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=36http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=36ruGer’s neW sr5562009-09-29T16:10:26+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=37http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=372009-09-29T16:10:26+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=38http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=3838 WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 20092009-09-29T16:10:26+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=39http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=39Phoenix, we put 20,000 rounds through it. No one cleaned the gun and we used a bunch of different ammo, Hornady, Black Hills, Remington, Winchester White Box and Federal. There were no malfunctions at all,” Vuksanovich commented. Brian is pretty proud of the SR556 and rightfully so. hook-and-loop fasteners to hold the rifle in place and internal magazine pockets. Does It Shoot? If all these high-speed accessories are attached to a black brick, they won’t save your bacon when the balloon goes up. The real question about Ruger’s new SR556 is does it shoot and will it continue to shoot when you need it. The answers are yes and yes — and then some. Accuracy out of the box was astounding. The 16.12", chromelined, 1:9 twist barrel provides more than adequate accuracy. I shot magazines loaded with random brands of ammunition. Federal’s TRU 55gr, Hornady TAP in 55gr and 75gr, ATK’s XM193 and ICC’s frangible. It fed everything given to it with no malfunctions and yielded MOA 1" groups to 2.5" groups consistently. Quality Parts The SR556 comes standard with a one-piece, 10" Troy Industries Quad Rail Handguard providing ample room for mounting sights, optics and accessories. The handguard is made exclusively for Ruger and is pinned to the upper receiver giving the piston driven transfer rod a rigid platform. It’s so solid that after 100 rounds fired from a grenade launcher attached to the handguard rail there was no wear and the attachment was still as tight as when first attached. Troy Industries folding BattleSights are also included. These are easily removed or replaced, rugged, high-quality sights allowing co-witnessing with MIL-SPEC optics. They can be folded down with the push of a button, or quickly flipped to the up position. The rear sight is windage adjustable and includes short and longrange apertures. The front sight is elevation adjustable and protected by encompassing wings. WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM The list of quality included features for the Ruger SR-556 is a long one. It also comes with a six-position telescoping M4-style buttstock housing a MIL-SPEC buffer and spring. The pistol grip is a Hogue Monogrip and three Troy Industries rail covers are part of the package. Also supplied are three, 30-round Magpul PMAGs. They feature a storage/dust cover, stainless steel springs and a self-lubricating, antitilt follower. These are true 30-round mags — not the “load 28 and call it a 30-rounder” type. They stand up to a lot of abuse and when dropped from the mag well during a rapid reload you won’t need to worry about tweaking the mag lips — a major source of failure-to-feed malfunctions. The rifle is shipped in a padded carrying case sporting the Ruger logo, Patrol Ready Ruger has long been known for building tank tough firearms that can take a beating and still perform at a level cops need. The SR556 comes from the factory equipped with just about everything needed in a patrol rifle. It’s practically “out of the box” ready to put in your patrol car. * For more info: www.ruger.com 392009-09-29T16:10:26+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=40http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=40IS YOuR BOdY ARMOR JuNk — OR A JEwEl? understanding the new niJ standards hould you throw your body armor in the trash or thank the guy in the department who selected it? Chances are, neither action is appropriate, though a few department decision-makers may deserve to be given a serious dose of whoop-ass. As a technology buff, I often write about computers, cameras and the like. When I was asked to research and write this article, it threw me a curve. My editor reassured me body armor involves more technology than anything else a cop uses. I’ve learned that is the understatement of the decade — so much for my “computer-only” stance. Rarely has so much information been put forward by so many, resulting in total confusion of the masses. Geek-speak, techno-jargon, turf-wars, slick-tongued sales people and a myriad of others have all peed in the soup, making the result mostly useless. How did you, the user/wearer of body armor end up with the particular vest you were issued? Did the vest-fairy visit you? Did you just hut-hut right down to Supply and pick up your required gear without a care or thought about it? Probably. Jim Donahue S Courtesy: Point Blank and PACA Body Armor Some Basics The reality is most cops are wearing a vest selected by someone in their own agency who probably didn’t have a clue about the nuances of vest design or standards and was trying to work within a very limited budget. That’s not to say inexpensive vests are crap, in fact a cheaper vest may be better than a zoot-deluxe expensive one. It’s just a matter of fact. Sorry. Remember, it’s only your life you’re entrusting to the administration to make the best and safest choice for body armor. “Exactly what do you have?” is a legitimate question and one you should be able to answer. Every vest has a label on the inside and it must show two pieces of data; the threat level certification, e.g. II, IIA and IIIA, and its expiration date. The expiration date is nothing more than the manufacturer’s warranty and is typically around five years. Don’t interpret this to mean you should toss yours simply because it’s out of warranty, and it doesn’t mean it’ll no longer be able to stop a feather — should someone shoot you with one. Wearing a vest, even one beyond the expiration date, is better than not wearing one at all. Body armor deteriorates over time. How quickly it deteriorates and to what degree depends on how often it’s worn, the conditions (such as extreme heat and perspiration) under which it’s worn, and how the owner cares for the vest. The best way to care for your body armor is to lay it flat or hang it in a climatecontrolled environment. Don’t fold, roll or wad it up; this will cause set wrinkles, which is death to the materials. Don’t launder your vest, only wipe it off with a damp cloth and don’t use bleach. Most MSA’s Templar armor series also odor-eliminator products can be bad for meets new NIJ standards. your vest, so they’re not recommended. It’s2009-09-29T16:10:26+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=41http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=41were borne as a result of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, so they’ve been at this for a few years. They’re the ones who’ve established the minimum performance requirements. In recent years the NIJ has come under fire; their testing procedures were sketchy, inconsistent, and considered unreliable. Some accused the NIJ of being run by former executives of the body armor industry. The NIJ testing process was akin to having the answer key to a math test — they told you precisely where on each vest they’d be shot for the test. As might be expected, some in Art by: Sequoia corporate America, in Blankenship their drive for sales and profits, added extra layers of protective fabric to their vests in the test-spots to be shot/tested by the Today’s highly fitted vests are often engineeringNIJ. The remainder light years ahead of technology only a few years old and offer enhanced ballistic protection. Here, of the vest would rethe Trilhouette TG series from Protective Products, main “light and airy,” Inc. (PPI) offers a honeycomb carrier system and and unfortunately, recessed closure system. wouldn’t stop rounds nearly so well. Other manufacturers would repeatedly submit the same poorly manufactured vest model to the NIJ until one squeaked by. Then they’d claim all of their vests “met NIJ certification standards.” Things got so bad Congress investigated the NIJ some years ago and they issued a report calling for a complete overhaul of the agency and its operations to ensure officer safety. Nothing happened. What bullshit. Actually, Ballistic ResisThe “Dress Vest” from Armor Express is a “vistance of Personal Body Arible” carrier that can fit a wide range of ballistic mor — NIJ Standard 0101.06, panels from the company. originally published in July a simple concept, take care of your vest 2008 is what happened. Having realized and it’ll take care of you. they’d gotten a little sloppy over the years, Point Blank’s new NIJ .06 certified NIJ instituted significantly tougher stanVision Level II armor is considered dards and testing for body armor. I must get one of the lightest systems available Government Undersight? a bit technical here. If you’re not into detail, today. The new concealable carrier Who’s in charge of ensuring your body skip the next couple of paragraphs, but I ensystem is loaded with advanced armor passes muster? And what’s muster? courage you to read them anyway. features, including ThorShield techThe National Institute of Justice (NIJ) is nology — a lightweight, conductive the government agency tasked with certimaterial lining that protects officers Heart Of The Matter fying body armor. Think of the NIJ as the from electroshock weapons such as research, development and evaluation arm Threat Level is a scientific measure preTASER devices and stun guns. of the Department of Justice (DOJ). They sented from shooting a variety of ammuWWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM 412009-09-29T16:10:26+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=42http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=42Safariland’s AJ Carrier is the cover that holds all six of Safariland’s new models that adhere to the NIJ-06 standards. The models are: XT-300 Type II, XT-300 Type IIA, XT-700 Type II, XT-300 Type IIIA and MT-330 Type IIIA/Spike 3. more realistic threat criteria and the new testing procedures are so difficult no m a n u f a c t u r e r ’s pre-existing prodThis carrier for women offers specific construction methuct line could pass ods to meet a female officer’s fit needs. It has 12 points certification. This of adjustment for an exact fit. (Photo: Armor Express) is good for you and nition at various velocities, i.e. 9mm, .40, me because the manufacturers had to go .45, etc. at body armor. The body armor is back to the drawing board and make betthen certified to a specific level (II, IIA, ter products. Depending on who’s in the IIIA) based on its ability to stop the par- discussion, some cling to the NIJ as the fiticular level of threat. Level II is what most nal word while others have abandoned the agencies issue their officers; Level IIIA is NIJ in favor of their own or FBI’s tougher what they should be issuing. There’s really specs. Who should you believe? That’s no reason not to issue IIIA vests; the differ- your call, but in every case, it needs to be ence in weight is negligible. an informed decision. Testing Methods are a whole different issue. They deal with the circumstances of the shoot — distance, velocity, shot loca- Get What You Pay For tion on the vest, environmental issues, in Are there trade-in programs for my curessence how hot the shot is and the situation rent vest so I can get a new one for little under which it’s fired. The NIJ establishes or no cash? As of this writing the simple its own testing methods, which includes fir- answer is no. But if you’re paying for ing rounds specially loaded to ensure con- your own vest, don’t be a cheap bastard. sistency of velocities and many of them are A new vest meeting current NIJ standards loaded to be faster than duty ammo. will range in price from $600 to $1,000 — For a full view of the NIJ 0101.06 stan- you’d spend that amount on a rifle or some dard, go to their web site: www.ojp.usdoj. other toy, so why recoil in horror over paygov/nij/ — it’s good bathroom reading. ing for body armor? Now back to plain English. Lighter is nice, but not necessarily betThe FBI, among many larger agencies, ter. For years, cops demanded body armor decided to do its own testing and create that was lighter and cooler to wear and the its own body armor specifications be- manufacturers dutifully complied. Their cause (in their opinion) the NIJ’s standard methods however — reduce the number wasn’t tough enough. But today’s NIJ of layers of protective fabric — resulted standards are tougher than ever. They’re in vests that were significantly less effecnow consistently applied, are based on tive. And on top of that, they charged more 42 money. Huh? What? “Why am I wearing a vest?” That’s a question you should answer for yourself. If you’re only wearing it because you Other ballistic containment devices like this portable shield from Point Blank, have specific guidelines concerning their ballistic ratings. WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 20092009-09-29T16:10:26+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=43http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=43Point Blank’s Vision and HI-LITE armor for women features a new contoured shape, streamlined stitching and Point Blank’s “Smart Seam” construction. ThorShield technology is incorporated, along with a higher neckline for additional coverage and a wide range of other features. have to (by way of agency policy), you might as well stop reading this article now. Be honest with your answer. If you have the option of selecting your own type of vest, you should know the answer intuitively, it’ll help guide your purchasing decision. “What kind of vest should I choose?” Only the best, strongest, save-my-ass kind. Officers working urban environments may think they are most in need of the higher level of protection. Well don’t get lulled into thinking just because you work in Squirrel-fart Montana you won’t come up against tougher rounds. Some of the quietest towns on earth Editor’s note: I’d personcan be home to some of the weirdally like to thank Gene Wolest and most lethal ammunition. berg, former Senior CrimiOne expert said, “If a cop is wearing nologist for the San Diego The “Lo Pro” also from Armor Express, offers a high body armor with a threat level cerPolice Crime Lab. Gene’s level of concealment, perfect for under uniform wear. tification below IIIA, he’s playing Rustireless efforts in testing soft sian Roulette with his life.” I agree; you new round, or a new gun the bad guys are body armor throughout the 1980s and want the most protection available. Your using to kill cops. There’s an ongoing evo- 1990s played a large part in many of the family may thank you for it some day. lution of weaponry. Your vest from three changes made to NIJ standards. He was a years ago was certified before new threats champion of officer safety and I wish he were even known. Will your old vest work? were here to see his hard work come to Last Year’s Model Probably, but maybe not. fruition. Gene passed away in May 2000 A vest you may have been issued or purSecond, and perhaps more important, — I still miss him. chased recently under the previous set of body armor technology is constantly imstandards is still safe to wear. Vests most of proving. Just another money grab, right — you are using today have saved many lives, remember when cell phones weighed three For more info: so there’s no need to panic. Must a vest be pounds and cost $1,000? Are you still car- www.armorexpress.com replaced when it expires? No. Most likely rying a cell phone like that? Body armor www.safariland.com it should be replaced right around the expi- technology has improved over time just www.body-armor.com (Protective Prodration date because ammunition and guns like cell phones. Today’s body armor is ucts, Inc.) change. We’re constantly receiving officer better able to stop rounds than its predeces- www.MSApoliceline.com safety notices about some new weapon, a sors because the scientists and engineers www.pointblankarmor.com are constantly trying to make it better. Maybe you should consider replacing your vest every few years, you upgrade your cell phone that often — it sure as hell isn’t going to stop a bullet. Make a vest choice you can justify to your family. A good vest is not designed to be comfortable; it’s designed to be comforting (to you and your family). As I bring this writing to a close, I must acknowledge the significant contributions made in the research phase. Especially helpful were Don Hacklander of San Diego Police Equipment Company and other industry experts. We all owe them a debt of gratitude. * WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM 432009-09-29T16:10:26+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=44http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=44DisPatch Vs. PatroL JamIE ZEllEr Think before you start blabbing into your lapel-mike. Your dispatcher, believe it or not, is your friend — not your enemy. h 5 ways To Piss off Dispatchers motel located in my neck of the woods and there was a “nickname-officer” who insisted on calling this hotel, “The Penny.” For years until this place was demolished he kept calling it by that stupid nickname until it was common knowledge so much so we would forget the real name for the establishment when citizens were calling in. Arg! Don’t make life harder than it needs to be. Asking questions about the call you’re dispatched to when all the answers were already voiced or in the text of the call itself is annoying. We all have bad days. When we’re doing a hundred other things in dispatch-land and the officers ask questions with the answers directly in front of them, it takes away time better spent helping your beat partners. They might be going to a call where it’s important to know if their suspect has any weapons registered to them. We’re all aware a majority of law enforcement officers have military backgrounds, which is admirable and honorable. Thank you for your service. That was then, this is now. At times, our job is confusing enough; please don’t use military jargon on the radio. I’ve heard some strange things. For example, I had an officer say, “No Joy” when advising the disposition of his call. Who’s Joy and what does she have to do with the call? Some of you new police officers who retired from the military seem to think your dispatchers are pulling rank on you when they dispatch you to two or three calls back to back. I promise this isn’t some grand scheme by government officials to get you back for the pre-war partying days while stationed in Japan. It’s just business, nothing personal Dispatch isn’t keeping things from you on high priority calls. There’s no conspiracy or guessing game we take joy in. Dispatchers have many tools available to find out almost ave you ever wondered why it seems your dispatcher sounds like they’re out to get you? Come on, I know you’re thinking, “why are they so rude?!” That’s an edited thought, you know what I’m saying — open mikes happen. At times dispatchers have a crazy busy job requiring intelligence, multi-tasking abilities, patience and some serious bladder control. While you might just be starting your shift, your dispatcher may have been there for 10 hours already — upset because someone just called in sick. Now they have to stay because they’re at the bottom of the seniority ladder. It sucks being low man on the totem pole. So, you ask what are some things that irritate dispatchers to no end? In the limited space I have, the following are my top five. There Are Stupid Questions The world doesn’t revolve around you 110-percent of the time — I’ve added the extra ten percent because we’re always there for you 100-percent of the time. But when you run a subject, are fourth in line for your request and within 45 seconds ask, “is anything back yet?” Take a second to listen to the radio traffic and gauge your response time accordingly. Patience young Jedis, not only are your teletype dispatchers processing your request but they’re making phone calls for various reasons and some agencies dispatchers are even entering stolen vehicles and missing persons information you took out in the field. Please be patient, we know you need the information and we’ll get it to you as fast as we can. Why must everything have a nickname in your world? I understand the need for codes for restroom breaks, the felony warrant that turd you’re talking to has, and the like. But a code for that ballgame in the street? Yup, there’s actually an 11-code in our jurisdiction for that and I’ll never understand why. So why do officers in the field feel it necessary to shorten everything even if it’s only a three-letter word? I remember a particular 44 It’s Not Your World Drop Your Pack — Please Name Game That’s All We Got Contin2009-09-29T16:10:26+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=45http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=452009-09-29T16:10:26+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=46http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=46Y ou’re assigned to be the “uniformed presence” while the narcs serve a search warrant for drugs. Once the team’s made entry and all the bad guys are in handcuffs, one of them keeps running his mouth and just won’t shut up. Though he’s sitting on a stool and handcuffed behind his back, one of the narcs hits him in the face, knocking him to the floor. The sergeant from narcotics acts like he never saw it. You find the front glass broken-out of a business while patrolling your beat on midnight shift. Sure enough, there’s been a burglary and the burglars are long gone. While you’re waiting for the owner to arrive, you have your back-up unit hold the scene while you go make a quick trip to answer nature’s Whatcha Gonna Do? Ethical Quandries Bill Hubbard Look Within 46 ?? call. When you return, you see an item you know was just inside the broken glass before you left is no longer there. You’re assigned to detectives and notice one of your fellow suits is simply never to work on time, he disappears for various lengths of time on any given day and you know he goes home long before quitting time, yet his time sheet matches yours hour for hour. Ethics — don’t you just hate ‘em? Our first reaction is to question why a fellow officer would put us in this position in the first place? Another reaction is, this would never happen to me where I work. But probably, our most common reaction is to prefer not to think about it an hope nothing like this ever happens around us. Or, if it happens, just ignore it — become and ostrich and bury your head in the sand. Don’t ask — don’t tell. It’s infuriating to turn on the news or pick up a newspaper, when virtually every issue has at least one story of some cop somewhere who compromised his badge by doing something dishonest or illegal. When I started many years ago as a very green rookie little did I know before my career would be over, I’d participate in the arrest an off-duty officer from another jurisdiction for DUI or have to blow the whistle on an officer who flat-out lied in an Affidavit for an Arrest Warrant. But the crowning event was the night four of us followed an on-duty, uniformed officer in his marked unit — we videotaped him burgling a restaurant. We took him down at gunpoint and drove him to jail in the back seat of his own police car. I’m sure none of these officers who screwed up in these situations ever intended to be dishonest, crooked, or criminal cops when they started their careers — so what happened? I’m equally sure; officers who’ve kept their badges clean all these years never dreamed the “dirty cop syndrome” would be as rampant as it is today. I, for one, am shocked and sick of it. Heck, the public thinks we’re all like that. In talking to many officers who choose to keep their badges untarnished, I know a lot of the rest of you are sick of this, too. First and foremost, you must assume a mindset. I had a professor in college who called this “The Percolator Method.” You pound it into your brain until it finally drips down to your heart. Then, you can think it, live it and believe it. The mindset you have to assume is dishonesty at any level will not be tolerated — in WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 20092009-09-29T16:10:26+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=47http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=47? Ethics are not situational. yourself. Before you can Wrong or right — what set the bar high for anywill your decision be? one else out there, you must be willing to raise it for yourself and live up to it. In Street Survival by Calibre Press, and in The Bullet Proof Mind by Lt. Col. David Grossman, I learned I must assume a mindset that in a lifeor-death fight — I will never give up. We pound that into our brains, so in the moment when we’re in that fight, our brains are already programmed — and it kicks in. When the fight’s going on is not the time to decide, “will I live, or will I die?” We program ourselves long before that time with, “no matter the circumstance, no matter the injury, no matter the pain, I will fight through it and I will live.” Having survived that life-ordeath fight, I know this axiom is true — I’ve been there. hell do you think you’re doing? Stop And so it’s in assuming a non- it!” Trust me — it works. corruptible mindset. We program ourselves now that no bribe will be accepted, no cleavage beats a ticket, and Silent Code Of Crap The “blue code of silence” is crap — — whether on-duty or off — we will not cross the line into illegal activity. it’s dead and gone. The autopsy was pretty Then, even if the temptation arises, ugly, too. It only had a place if everyone the little guy in the back of your head playing had the bar raised high on themis programmed to shout, “What the selves. Cops of integrity were able to ward off political pressure or advancement-hungry Internal Affairs officers by banding together. But, in recent years, the autopsy on the code of silence showed we were openly inviting fellow officers to commit dishonest, immoral and illegal acts — because they had the assurance no one else with a badge would rat them out. Look where that took our profession. Bury this code, mourn its passing and let it go. By now you’re probably saying, “What a nut-job, goodie-two-shoes, he wants me to be How accurate is your time sheet? We all know the the most-hated, allchronic time sheet cheaters — arrive an hour late around department and take a two-hour lunch — yet it never seems to appear on their time sheet. snitch!” Au contrere. WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM ? What I want you to do is have a hand in creating an atmosphere in your agency where there isn’t anything to snitch. This brings me to my next point — accountability. Do you have the sort of friendship with a select few other officers who care about each other enough, and have given each other permission, to keep each other under a magnifying glass and tell the unvarnished truth whenever it needs to be told? If not, do it. My own band of brothers consists of four others and me. I consider myself extremely fortunate to even be able to sit at the same table with these officers of integrity and distinction. We’re brutally honest with each other as we examine each other’s personal and professional conduct. The shot is called when it needs to be made, no apologies necessary. These troops help keep me in line, and I them. Even if you haven’t committed to an accountability partner, I encourage you to care enough about those you work with — those very ones who may take a bullet for you someday, or you one for them — to address little problems when they’re little. Be a friend — show some concern. In every single situation described in this article, officers working near those who screwed up admitted in the aftermath there were warning signs. An officer doesn’t just show up for work one night and decide to go break into a restaurant. There was a gradual decline in his life his co-workers noticed, but no one came alongside and said, “What’s Continued on page 50 472009-09-29T16:10:26+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=48http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=48“u nit 645, see the cleaning lady at 5220 S. Latonka Circle. She said she was cleaning the house and observed a white male armed with a bat in the basement. She believes it’s a burglar and the homeowners are out of town.” “Description?” “He’s dressed in all white with a white baseball-type cap. The cleaning lady will meet you out front. 640 for cover?” “640, I’m two blocks away.” I had just been dispatched to a burglary in progress call and was going to be assisted by my sergeant. I had been out of the police academy six months and these calls still made my mouth dry and my hands sweat. Not so for my sergeant, a salty veteran who had spent three tours in Vietnam prior to C. W. BIll BlaCk joining the force. It was said if he’d had a twin brother with him Vietnam might have been called the Six Day War. As I pulled into the neighborhood I tried to think of what the textbooks had to say about handling a burglary in progress call. Tear gas? Canines? The SWAT Team? An air strike? As I turned the last corner heading toward the house I realized that Sgt. Rambo and I would probably have to go in after the fiend. What I didn’t realize was that I had taken a corner a little too fast. My clipboard, flashlight, and briefcase had slid across the patrol car seat spilling what was left of a Big Gulp in my lap. That should be fun to explain. My sergeant stood in the front yard talking to the cleaning lady. I tried to dislodge my baton that had gotten stuck under my seat and smashed my knuckle against the doorjamb. As I approached the front yard I noticed the blood from my scraped knuckle dripping on my spit-shined shoes. “What happened to you, kid?” my puzzled sergeant asked. “Oh nothing, an old karate injury. Must’ve scraped it again.” “Well, come on,” he said. “We have a burglar to catch. Cleaning lady here says she saw some guy in the basement with a bat. No one is supposed to be home. She ran to the neighbors and called us.” “Is he still there?” I asked, fearing the answer. “That’s what we’ll find out,” Sarge said. As we approached the front door I noticed the neighbors had gathered in their front yards. A few set up lawn chairs, expecting an entertaining afternoon and curious as to how their tax dollars were spent. I knew I should have stayed in graduate school. “Scared?” my sergeant asked, looking down at the Big Gulp stain on my pants. 48 The Day I alMOsT shOT elTOn JOhn “It’s not what you think,” I said. “Come on, they’re starting to sell tickets out here.” “Remember kid, take no guff, cut no slack, hook ‘em and book ‘em and don’t look back,” he chuckled as he kicked open the door and drew his gun. One thing was certain, there wasn’t room for him and me and the barrel of the gun through the door. I let Sarge go first. We crept through the main floor looking into closets and cupboards looking for our bat-toting burglar. I followed behind trying not to sneeze or trip over furniture. My sergeant was gliding from room to room like a jaguar stalking a rabbit. “Shhh! I hear something,” whispered Sarge. “It’s the cat,” I said. “How do ya know?” he commanded. “I just stepped in the litter box,” lifting my foot and receiving icy glares from Sarge and a lethargic Siamese on the couch. “The upstairs is clear. Let’s hit the basement.” Sarge moved to the downstairs doorway. I half expected him to toss a hand grenade down the stairs. Instead he tiptoed down one step at a time with the lights off, a textbook descent. I was close behind. The only light was from the basement windows and the afternoon sun. You could tell a teenager lived down here. Posters of sports heroes and high school mementos adorned the walls. We checked the laundry room and game room. How I kept from knocking over a rack of pool cues I’ll never know. We had one room left to check — the downstairs bedroom. The door was closed. Sarge and I got on each side of it ready to buttonhook in as we flung it open. “One, two, three,” I whispered as Sarge opened the door and Continued on page2009-09-29T16:10:26+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=49http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=49$100 Rebate Get up to. from SIG SAUER ® Individual Officer Rebate Program At SIG SAUER, we will always be indebted to you for your service to our country. As a small token of our appreciation, we are offering a special rebate program* on new SIG SAUER pistols and rifles. For more information, visit our website at: http://www.sigsauer.com/LawEnforcement/IndividualOfficers.aspx For questions concerning the program call (603) 418-8190 or email publicsafetysales@sigsauer.com *Offer available to all first responders and active or retired law enforcement officers. SIG SAUER, Inc. 18 Industrial Drive, Exeter, NH 038332009-09-29T16:10:26+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=50http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=50Operational Mindset, Operational Clothing eThical Continued from page 47 going on, dude? Let’s go have some coffee and talk.” A little concern in the early stages can divert a disaster in the future. Quit Your Bitching By now you’re reading this and saying, “The first time I have to take someone down for something illegal or dishonest, I’ll be branded a snitch — I’ll forever have to go to coffee and meal breaks alone — and the next time the defecation hits the rotating oscillator, my back-up won’t come.” To that I say quit whining, grow up and get a life. If policing with the bar raised high isn’t your cup of tea, go flip hamburgers at the McDonalds. If we keep our own badges clean and weed out the ones who shouldn’t have been among our worthy ranks in the first place, back-up will always be there. Here’s one last thing to pound into your head: should you have to arrest another officer, or call attention to dishonesty or corruption — you did not cause the problem. It was the deliberate, conscious choice of that individual that caused the problem. You’re merely the one who had the guts to shine a light on it and say, “Not on my watch.” Don’t let that person with the tarnished badge goad you into some sort of perverted guilt trip that you are the one who caused all of this. You didn’t — they did, same as any other criminal. Don’t prolong the inevitable for the already compromised officer who will go on, hell-bent on finding another hole to fall in — and he will. You just might get dragged down with him when it comes to light you had previous knowledge and did nothing. You, my friend, have just unintentionally started yourself down a slippery slope, and you’ve lost the ability to put on the brakes. The International Association of Chiefs of Police coined the Law Enforcement Oath of Honor. Go to their Web site, www. theiacp.org. Find it, print it, hang it in your office or tape it to your clipboard — pound it into your percolator. Do it now. It’s only three little sentences, but it says a whole lot: Rugged, reliable www.eotac.com EOTAC * “On my honor, I will never betray my badge, my integrity, my character, or the public trust. I will always have the courage to hold myself and others accountable for our actions. I will always uphold the constitution my community, and the agency I serve.” (Bill Hubbard is in his 29th year wearing a badge, and is certified as an Executive Peace Officer by the New Mexico Department of Public Safety. He is the author of Substantial Evidence: A Whistle-blower’s True Tale of Corruption, Death and Justice, available at www.amazon.com) 50 WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 20092009-09-29T16:10:26+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=51http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=51HOSTAGE HOSTAGE HOSTAGE HOSTAGE HOSTAGE COMPETITOR X SUREFIRE X400® TERRORIST www.surefire.com/X400 ONLY ONE LASER WEAPONLIGHT HOLDS ZERO LIKE THIS. The X400 also has the brightest laser with the largest spot, allowing you to acquire it quicker, even in daylight. The powerful LED provides a smooth, white beam that will easily light up a large room and temporarily blind an assailant. The body is cut from hard-anodized aerospace aluminum and it attaches to Universal and Picatinny rails. Speed and accuracy. Guaranteed. For life.2009-09-29T16:10:26+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=52http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=52SPECIAL WEAPONS For a single, precise shot to resolve a situation, it has to be fired from a special weapon. Enter the Savage LE Series. Special weapons. Exceptional accuracy. savagearms.com 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, DiSPaTch vS. Continued from page 44 IdbI# Why not try a CrossBreed TODAY? Lifetime Warranty! Try-It-FREE-Guarantee! 888.732.5011 anything about anyone. There are also steps in getting information to you in a timely fashion. The dispatchers take the call and enter the most important information on a high priority call as fast as they possibly can. Updates are added as they get them. There are barriers at times, such as relaying information through a translator or dealing with an uncooperative reporting party. Things like that can delay the information coming to you. I know my partners in dispatch work very hard to keep our officers in the field safe by asking reporting parties about the presence or possibilities of weapons, drugs and alcohol. The information is entered and given out over the radio as fast as humanly possible to assist you in gauging the dangerous situations you’re put into every day. Stay safe out there and ponder this for a moment: “You may know where Willyou you be you are and God may know where are; but if your dispatcher doesn’t know where you are, you and God if he show better be on good terms.” * www.CrossBreedHolsters.com 52 Jaimie Zeller is a dispatcher with a medium-sized, West Coast PD. P.S.: Don’t piss her off or you’ll be the report unit for graveyard shift. WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2009 A RE Y A RE W2009-09-29T16:10:26+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=53http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=532009-09-29T16:10:26+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=54http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=54le MAS FOllOW-UP Bob Pilgrim t’s been said there is no free lunch and you cannot evade the Newtonian laws of physics. If a stationary object is propelled at high velocity there is correspondingly, an equal and opposite reaction. Chemical propellants launch objects by developing pressure through some kind of reaction and then suddenly releasing it via the path of least resistance. To increase velocity, the projectile is either lightened and or propellant volume increased to develop greater launch pressures. In this case, Le Mas has done both to achieve the exceptional velocities they have from short barrels. However, that is only part of the story and proprietary bullet design and construction also contributes to Le Mas’s unusual performance on hard and soft targets. Although there was debatable physical evidence of over pressures, it was not until I experienced repeated misfires with Le Mas and other high performance rounds in a subcompact 9mm pistol that my shooting partner insisted it was the fault of “hot” ammunition and not the gun that I decided to have samples tested. A commercial ammunition manufacturer that does not consider Le Mas a competitor conducted the tests according to SAMMI protocols. Nine millimeter and Le Mas .45 ACP CQB II and .45 ACP CQB sub machine gun ammunition were fired from 4" and 5" pressure barrels respectively, with a universal receiver and Ohler 83 system. Each cartridge was completely rotated and tests occurred at room temperature. SAMMI pressure specifications for standard 9mm is 35,000 PSI and for +P it is 38,500 PSI. SAMMI does not have a pressure specification for +P+, but 54 other sources rate it at 42,000 PSI. Proof loads range from 52,000 – 55,000 PSI. Sixty-grain Le Mas at 1,944 fps averaged 41,400 PSI with a high of 43,200 PSI. The 9mm is over SAMMI specifications, but not dangerously so. Maximum pressure for standard .45 ACP is 21,000 PSI. For +P it is 23,000. I was unable to locate pressure specifications for +P+ .45 ACP and I am not sure if such a round exists, but proof loads range from 31,000 – 33,000 PSI. Le Mas 85-grain CQB II .45 ACP averaged 38,200 PSI with a high of 38,900 PSI and a velocity of 2,032 fps. The SMG load clocked a velocity of 2,246 fps and an average pressure of 39,300 PSI. It peaked at 41,600 PSI. Clearly, Le Mas .45 ACP in both configurations is way-over SAMMI limits. With the exceptions of 9mm and .40 S&W ammunition, Le Mas warns prospective end users to fire it from “dedicated,” modern, high quality firearms with fully supported barrels. Many customers opt for after-market barrels, such as KKM Precision to safely handle these exceptional pressures. Le Mas ammunition is restricted to police and military customers primarily because of its armor-defeating capabilities. The entire handgun ammunition product line provides a scalable increase in soft tissue performance over conventional hollow point ammunition and in addition, offers dedicated, higher velocity armor piercing (AP) rounds for specific handguns and barrel manufacturers. These latter projectiles are designed to be fired from specific weapon configurations only. Accordingly, current .40 S&W ammunition is loaded to different pressures for the Glock 22 and 22 – C systems. Furthermore, for mission flexibility and selectivity Le Mas has developed four different load variants for its .45 ACP CQB ammunition. * For more info: www.lemasltd.com/v1/ Editor’s note: Le Mas is obviously highperformance ammunition advertised as only suitable in certain firearms. Use good judgment and conduct proper research before you choose to use it in your department’s firearms. WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 20092009-09-29T16:10:26+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=55http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=55SHOT Show • January 19-22, 2010 • Sands Expo & Convention Center • Las Vegas ® YOUCAN’TMISS Each SHOT Show is an exciting and unique mustattend experience. The SHOT Owned and Sponsored by: SHARPEN YOUR COMPETITIVE EDGE AND FIRE PAST YOUR OBJECTIVES AT SHOT SHOW 2010. Show is the only place where you can discover everything new and everyone you need to know to gain a competitive edge – be it in shooting sports, hunting and outdoor sports or in law enforcement. Be the first in your market to sign up for the 2010 SHOT Show. Join us in Las Vegas, January 19-22, 2010 for a can’t miss event. Register today at: www.shotshow.org/AC12009-09-29T16:10:26+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=56http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=56SPoTlIGHT BELT BUCkLE MRDS Insight Tech Gear The MRDS is a lightweight, ruggedized reflex sight that mounts to many existing optics as well as MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny and Weaver-style rails utilizing widely available aftermarket mounts. The MRDS is available in a non-reflective black or tan finish with either a 3.5 MOA or 7.0 MOA dot size and is easily adjustable for elevation or windage with 1 MOA positive click adjustments. The MRDS features an auto adjusting dot intensity but also offers the operator a manual dot intensity adjustment with four brightness settings. For more information visit www.InsightTechGear.com. 5.11 Tactical Each 2.5x1.7" buckle is constructed of high quality zinc with rounded edges, has a non-reflective, laser-engravable finish and incorporates an extra large support beam for durability. The Signature Belt Buckle includes imprinted 5.11 screws and is compatible with 5.11’s 1.5" Casual Leather Belts and most similar-sized leather belts. They feature a Permastiff insert for stable holster wear and include a hidden handcuff key keeper. Priced from $34.99, four belt styles and three colors are available. Visit www.511tactical.com today to see more. GORE-TEx INSulATED SIDE ZIP Bates Footwear Bates introduces an 8" Gore-Tex Insulated Side Zip (Style 2488) to their popular GX series product line this fall. This product is a best suited for fall and winter outdoor activities. Efficient at keeping your feet warm and comfortably dry, the new 8" Gore-Tex Insulated Side Zip Boot will be available in stores and online at www.batesfootwear.com in October 2009. BADGE Blu-Comm Introducing the Badge, a Bluetooth wireless speaker/microphone for 2-Way radios. It is a specially designed professional series of ruggedized speaker/microphones with volume control, a PTT (Push-To-Talk) button, and earpiece port. Required adaptors available for Motorola, Kenwood, Blackbox, Relm, Icom, Vertex radios. Available through Klein Electronics, Inc. (800) 959-2899 or visit www.HeadsetUSA.com. POCkETJET PRINTER Brother Mobile Solutions, Inc Offering a full line of ultra-portable and innovative mobile printers and scanners. A vehicle-mounted printing solution, the PocketJet printer is a compact thermal printer that produces full-page high-quality output. It has USB, IrDA, and optional wireless Bluetooth connectivity. The printer can be powered by either internal battery or vehicle battery power. See more at www.brothermobilesolutions.com. OPERATOR GRADE MECHANIC SHIRT EOTAC The Operator Grade Mechanic Short-Sleeve Shirt is practical and discreet for everyday use. Styled after the popular mechanic shirts worn by industry professionals, it is low profile yet totally functional. The shirt comes with four patches to choose from that you simply sew on the front to make it look more authentic. The straight bottom hem allows you to wear the shirt un-tucked, and drapes freely, offering maximum concealment and no “printing.” It comes in navy, black, and gray. To see more, visit them on the Web at www.eotac.com. MOThERlODE 500 CamelBak The new Motherlode 500 is now a pound lighter than the original by making material and structural changes without compromising design, durability, and functionality. With 500 D Cordura, the pack is as strong and durable as its predecessor, but with a lighter overall weight. There is also a fleece-lined goggle pocket for your NVGs. Check it out at www.camelbak.com. 56 MPH-900 LPR SYSTEM ELSAG North America The MPH-900 License Plate Recognition technology is a solution for mobile automatic license plate reading. The LPR System reads plates from a stationary location or at highway speeds and cross-references them against an onboard hot list. The system alarms within a second of identifying a plate on the hot list and can process hundreds of plates per minute. An image and GPS coordinates of every plate scanned are stored and can be referenced later. Log onto www.elsagna.com to learn more. WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM • NO2009-09-29T16:10:26+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=57http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=57For more information on seeing your product featured in “Spotlight,” contact Delano Amaguin (888) 732-6461. MODEl 750 CHAIN LINk hANDCuff Peerless Handcuff Company The classic design now available in a five different color plated finishes. The color finish helps to prevent equipment loss by allowing individuals, agencies or departments to more easily identify and track property. Color can also be used to enable or reinforce a classification system such as threat level, medical condition, jurisdiction and more. They are available in blue, red, orange, yellow and pink. The durable EPP finish is resistant to chipping and scratching and rust. Check them out at www.peerless.net. SA-4 PEPPERBALL PepperBall Technologies, Inc The SA-4 PepperBall system launches ImpactPlus projectiles which strike with approximately 20 foot-pounds of kinetic force and release about 3.8 grams of hot pepper. The combination of psychological shock from being laser sited and then launched upon, the painful kinetic impact, and the potent hot pepper powder combine to subdue suspects. The SA-4 launcher is compact and can be easily holstered and carried by law enforcement, corrections officers, or military police. Easy reload magazines are available for HOT pepper or inert training rounds. A custom Blade-Tech holster system that custom fits the SA-4 launcher is also available. Innovative PepperBall “smart technology” uses integrated electronics to self-check and launch hot powder frangible “rocket” projectiles. See more at www.pepperball.com. PF-200 TACTICAL BEACON PowerFlare Invented by a police officer, the new PowerFlare PF-200 Tactical Beacon is an essential piece of equipment to have in a wide range of law enforcement and military scenarios. PowerFlare Tactical Beacons can be used to extend the range of night vision equipment by providing Infrared (IR) source illumination. This compact (4") device emits 360° of IR LED light (invisible to the human eye), visible for up to 10 miles away with NVGs or FLIR (on low-light camera mode). Log onto www.powerflare.com to check it out. fAMIly BADGES Smith & Warren Each miniature badge is crafted with the same quality and attention to detail as full-size versions. Family Badges are available in over 30 styles in gold or nickel finish, and can be customized with lettering such as “OFFICER’S WIFE” or “CAPTAIN’S FATHER.” Badges may be ordered alone or precisely mounted into genuine leather I.D. case, credit card wallet, or key fob. Free center seals are included with each badge, and ordering is a simple step-by-step process. Smith & Warren is now offering these unique new badges through authorized dealers nationwide. Contact your local dealer today or visit www.smithwarren.com for more information. SRT SERIES NcStar NcStar introduces the SRT Series which is the Industry’s 1st ever rubber armored, blue illuminated scope with an integrated red laser. The SRT Series is offered in a variable power 3-9x42, and a fixed power 4x32 with 3 reticle options of Mil-Dot, P4 Sniper, and Rangefinder. This scope offers the added option to use both the laser with the illuminated reticle (5 levels of intensity) simultaneously, or the laser alone. Visit www.ncstar.com to see more. WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM POLICE-SPECIFIC BRAkE SYSTEM Raybestos Brakes The new Raybestos Police-Specific Brake System is the industry’s first complete brake system designed specifically for law enforcement. With pursuit-proven pads, rotors and calipers, this system is intended to lower overall cost per mile while maintaining peak performance levels at extreme temperatures. These aren’t stock products slapped with a Police sticker. This is a brake system designed to protect the individuals that protect us every day. For more info visit www.raybestos.com. 572009-09-29T16:10:26+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=58http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=58reALITY CHECK II COuNsEl, WIsDOM, GuIDANCE AND TEACHING. ClINT sMITH 13letter th MarksManshiP Although marksmanship might be on the verge of becoming a lost art there are still old guys around and smart younger ones who understand that eventually marksmanship, and hits on a target, make a difference. I can’t anticipate a change to my problem if I can’t hit it. Putting all the bull aside about scaring’em, spray-andpray, and all the other goofy pursuits like magic-voodoo-shootingtechniques, if you last long enough in a fight you’ll have to hit the target to stop the problem. Hopefully, before you get killed. The T he number 13 is often considered unlucky, as in Friday the 13th, or then again, it could promote something tasty like in the extra doughnut in a baker’s dozen. The 13th letter is “M” and I use Ms already in training in the “M&M” mode and have for years. Enclosed are a few rambling “M”s for your consideration. Movement: Avoid the range Macarena. If movement is required, do it. How many deer would still be alive if they didn’t move on opening day? MaxiMize Distance is almost always your friend and you should train for it. Train to create distance and train to take advantage of the distance you have created. The more distance created, the more time you have to make a better decision and/or apply better marksmanship. MiniMize Minimizing yourself as a target on a day-to-day basis should be a constant and on-going process. Cops should wear armor, civilians should wear seat belts, and both should consider carrying a second gun. We should all train to use cover and concealment. We should also train to fight with guns other than our own. Civilians should clear their house now to learn about how to do it. Not because you want to clear the house — it’s most often a bad idea — but in case you have to. I don’t want to learn about tactics, house clearing and bad corners when someone is in my house. ManiPuLation Manipulation is a big deal to me. I firmly believe a lot of folks get in trouble in fights because their manipulation skills leave more than something to be desired. I consistently press, remind, push and prod students to use the safeties, but not necessarily to make the weapon mechanically safe. Major offenders, by weapon systems, are 1911s, because the shooter’s thumb is not correctly on top of the safety while firing. There is the potential of the shooting-hand thumb to push the safety up and on in a fight, or in a no-fire mode during live-fire exercise. AR rifle platforms are included because under duress shooters often forget to take the safety off. The scary part of all this is some knot-head thinks walking around with the safety off is “tactical” or that they are above the realm of using mechanical safeties because they are “experts or professionals,” whatever the hell that is. aMMo ManaGeMent We’re all going to die but it shouldn’t be for lack of shooting back. Ninety-nine percent of the population should learn to load their weapon in an empty-load mode. Meaning, if the gun is empty, load it and go on. The tactical reload thing for the most part is a moot point and generally is best applied when you have someone to cover for you while you do it. Bluntly, if you need to load at all it should be after you shot the gun empty, because you should shoot until you win or until MoVeMent This is a no-brainer. Movement is a target indicator for all fights, and we simply need to be aware of it. Movement draws attention and it’s one of a very few things actually instinctive because movement does draw the eye to potential threats. Logic dictates if you have good cover don’t leave it. Drill responses like moving to or along side a partner when providing cover fire, or moving every time you are reloading are concepts to be reviewed as to their true value. Avoid range Macarena drills and responses like “lower muzzle, sweep right and left with eyes, recover, holster.” All of the stuff mentioned is good in a proper context but make sur2009-09-29T16:10:26+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=59http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=59the gun goes empty. If it’s empty, with all the high capacity guns everyone has today, you’re going to have been in one hell of a big gunfight. If I was in that big of a fight, I’d reload the thing and great ready for more because apparently you found the lotto of target-rich environments! Also training punishment, like buying beer for wannabe, drunk firearms instructors, is stupid. Here’s why: why be punished for what might in reality endup being a smart move in a fight? MinDset Mindset is a good “M” and things like the color code from the Cooper era, and personal awareness and applied personal tactics are all probably all part and parcel of the acquisition and application of a combative mindset. After doing this for a few years and the more I’ve thought the process through, the less likely I am to have to use it. Mental and physical panic, like trying to do stuff like draw and shoot fast, doesn’t wind up being all that productive down-range. MaGniFicence I would advocate you train up to be and practice to shoot up to a level of magnificence. A magnificent shot is rare, but it is cool to see one. My idea of magnificence is not just hits on an X-ring. Someone who carries himself well, knows his equipment and can apply it, can shoot stuff other than their own gun, practice regularly and move through life without a chip on their shoulder are magnificent. Mostly they understand shooting doesn’t always solve a problem. In fact, it almost always creates one. MeDiocre Although it could be arguable, I think mediocre skills will win most fights. I think if people train and think really hard to be competent, and even if they truly are magnificent, the potential for some thing to go wrong is in place as part of fighting. If you train to be magnificent and actually can generate mediocre skills in a fight, I think there is a strong probability you’ll win. Also, bluntly, if you are just “armed” and you actually are at best a mediocre putz dayto-day with guns, I think chances are you’ll default to poor, and poor will not often win a fight. Bad shots and bad tacticians are like Continued on page 64 WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM www.americancopmagazine.com 592009-09-29T16:10:26+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=60http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=60carS & craSheS Continued from page 32 have to reverse the process to put the car back into a condition for public use and then it’s sold at auction. Look around next time you’re traveling, most of the cabs on the road are old police vehicles. You can spot them from a mile away, but try not to think of all the nasty prisoners who once occupied those back seats. Eeew … Zoom-Zoom And More The E7 uses a 3.0L turbo diesel engine, another departure from most police vehicles. So what’s the big deal, you say? The E7s performance when compared to the gas-guzzling models from Chevy, Ford and Dodge is quite astounding. It boasts a bit more than 250 hp with 400 ft/lbs. of torque, goes from 0-60 mph in 6.5 seconds, does the quarter mile in 14.5 seconds at 98 mph, has a maximum speed over 150 mph and can stop from 60-0 mph in 125 feet. And it does all this with a combined 30 mpg. The only competitor to keep reasonably close in these statistics is the Dodge Charger with a 5.7L V8 Hemi in it — sucking up a whole lotta midgrade gas at only 20 mpg. Ouch. Other goodies either included or available and integrated into the E7 are emergency equipment instrumentation, touch-screen, voice activation and electromechanical interfaces (computer/CAD stuff). The rear seat is injection molded with arm cutouts and the seatbelts are integrated into the prisoner cage, front seats are contoured specifically with your duty gear in mind and ballistic protection rated to NIJ threat level IIIA is in the dash panel, cowl side, front door and prisoner partition. There are many more options and configurations to see and almost of them are simply not available from Ford, Chevy and Chrysler. They would have to be purchased separately and then fitted to your vehicle, which brings us to cost. The average police vehicle has an initial cost of around $20,000 — just for the car and nothing else. Carbon Motors has not finalized a price for their car, but it seems they’re hovering somewhere around the $45,000 mark. Before you fall down and have a fit, remember the E7 will come fully equipped, ready to go to work the moment it’s delivered. Those other cars still have several weeks worth of retrofitting before they hit the street. Once you add in the cost of all the stuff your agency has to install, the cost of labor, the higher fuel usage and cost, and the significantly shorter life span of the average cop car, I think you’ll see the E7 is a seriously viable option. And the E7 comes with a variablesized cup holder for that 84-ounce Big Gulp — that’s a huge selling point right there. For more info: www.carbonmotors.com 60 WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2009 *2009-09-29T16:10:26+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=61http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=612009-09-29T16:10:26+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=62http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=62The Day i alMoST Continued from page 48 we both spun in. An eerie glow from the only window illuminated the room. There he was, in the corner, dressed all in white. White shoes, white pants, white sweater and white cap. He was holding what appeared to be a wide flat bat. “Freeze!” we screamed in unison and leveled a total of .76 calibers on this very clean burglar. I had expected tattoos and a Harley-Davidson T-shirt. But our criminal didn’t move. He just stood there and smiled. He also looked very familiar. Not like an old friend or someone I’d met before, but familiar like a famous person. “Freeze!” we yelled again, realizing he was doing just what we were commanding. “Drop the bat,” I said. Still nothing, just the friendly smile. I knew what to expect from Sarge — the unexpected. “Ahhhhheeee!” Sarge screamed as he charged the bandit knocking him flat on the floor. Sarge slowly stood up and stared down at the captured felon, who was still smiling and holding his flat bat. It was one of those incredibly tense moments that suddenly transforms into a truly bizarre and almost comedic events. There was our burglar, six-foot, medium height, one-forth-inch thick and made of cardboard. “Elton John,” I said. My sergeant had just tackled a lifesized cardboard cutout of Elton John dressed in a cricket uniform and carrying a cricket bat. Probably a promo from a past album the teen-age resident had gotten from a record store. 62 “I can’t believe I almost shot Elton John,” I said. “Me neither,” said Sarge as we both began to laugh. But suddenly we stopped and looked at each other. “What are we gonna do?” I asked. “I dunno,” Sarge said. “I mean the whole neighborhood is outside expecting us to bring out a burglar.” Sarge thought a moment, picked up Elton John and placed a set of handcuffs on the only available arm. “They want a burglar, they’ll get a burglar.” And with that, Sarge took our captive upstairs and outside to the front yard. I followed knowing soon my brief police career would be over. “Here’s your burglar, ma’am,” Sarge said, throwing the smiling Elton John on the grass. He waved at the dumb-founded crowd, got into his car and drove off. As the crowd gathered around Elton I quietly sneaked to my patrol car. I was happy our encounter turned out as it had. I looked over at the neighborhood gathered around the embarrassed cleaning lady and felt sorry for her. How could anyone be so stupid as to think the cardboard cutout was real? I then felt my pants had stuck to my leg where the Big Gulp had dried. I reached into my pocket reopening the wound on my knuckle and realized my keys were gone. They were sitting in the ignition of my locked patrol car. * Editor’s note: Bill Black, dear friend and long-time contributor to American COP passed on recently. His humor and experience will live on in the pages of American COP. WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 20092009-09-29T16:10:26+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=63http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=632009-09-29T16:10:26+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=64http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=64realiTy check ii Continued from page 59 drunk drivers — they often kill other people. If you carry guns step up to the plate and train-up. Your possession of a firearm does not mean you are competent, it simply means you have a gun. No offense intended. Math Funny thing I am not much good at math as far as the symbols and forms go, but I do think the analytical application of logic to shapes and angles, as in architecture, might be helpful in movement through structures. I like using the process of elimination and the extension of imaginary planes to solve where a potential threat could be, and then hunting for them, even if only in my mind’s eye. Magic, Mickey & Minnie Although it might be considered as negative instruction, I have seen a lot of the these three “Ms” over the years. In the magic mode, most folks are looking for a way to evade the hard work part of shooting and go directly to the “I’m magic” mode. Marketing people have jobs creating sights, lasers, magic grips, magazines, ammunition, holsters and you name it to include magic cleaning stuff, so we don’t have to work on any of this basics stuff. We’ll just show up and “It’ll be like magic.” The same goes for shooting techniques. “I’ll just invent something” no one in the 100+ year history of centerfire firearms and shooting ever thought of.” Then, “I’ll name it after myself and go forth to the ignorant masses and deliver to them an epiphany.” Maybe, but I doubt it. You all know the way to best achieve correct downrange projectile placement properly. No one I ever saw who was competent with a firearm got that way without hard work. But it could happen, I guess. Mickey and Minnie, with no disrespect intended, are right along side magic and “vacation mentality.” They represent the thought process that “This is all cool shooting stuff and I’m gonna buy this widget add it to the gun, and this will be what the fight is, and I got it covered.” Family vacations and gunfights have something in common. They rarely come out as planned. Indeed, all plans are good ones (magnificent?) until you make contact. And by now, you either get the point, or you don’t get the point and are still looking for some of that magic. World’s Finest 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. The increased firepower of MEC-GAR “Optimum” magazines can be further raised by an optional “Plus Two” adapter. “Plus Two” is a new set of hollow butt-plate and inner base to raise the capacity of the MEC-GAR “Optimum” magazine by 2-rounds and stick out only 5/8” from the butt of the pistol! Available For: Beretta 92FS 9mm 18rd / 20rd Beretta 96FS .40S&W 13rd / 15rd Para-Ordnance P14 .45ACP 14rd SIG P226 9mm 18rd / 20rd SIG P226 .40S&W 13rd / 15rd Springfield XD 9mm 18rd Springfield XD .40S&W 13rd Taurus PT92 9mm 18rd / 20rd Taurus PT100 .40S&W 13rd / 15rd Mec-Gar USA, Inc., 905 Middle Street, Middletown, CT 06457 Tel: (800) 632-4271 Fax: (860) 635-1712 www.mec-gar.com “OPTIMUM”. THE WORLD’S BEST MAGAZINES To Grow On “M” may also stand for “moot,” as in “I guess this could all be just a moot point.” Only you can decide how it applies to you, and if it’s moot — or not. * 64 WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 20092009-09-29T16:10:26+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=65http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=652009-09-29T16:10:26+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=66http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=66WIN! THIS PACKAGE! Win this stunninG sureFire tacticaL LiGhtinG anD equiPMent PackaGe! QueStION 2 dO YOu Get reIMBurSed FOr uNIFOrM/dutY Belt PurChASeS? A) Full B) PArtIAl C) NOt At All d) N/A QueStIONS QueStION 1 dOeS YOur AGeNCY OFFer Ar-StYle rIFleS FOr PAtrOl? A) YeS B) NO C) N/A QueStION 3 dO YOu Get reIMBurSed FOr WeAPONS PurChASeS? A) Full B) PArtIAl C) NOt At All d) N/A 66 e’d call this “one stop shopping” any day! All from sureFire, known for their “ultimate” lighting systems and tough-as-nails equipment, this comprehensive line-up pretty much rounds out any working cop’s kit for on-duty or off-duty use. w X400 Weapon Light starting off is sureFire’s X400 Weaponlight. The light puts out 110 lumens of blinding white light, and has an integrated red-laser below the solid-state lED module. This “next generation” weapon light comes from the people who literally wrote the book on modern police and military lights. WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 20092009-09-29T16:10:26+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=67http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=67SureFire Pen II The sureFire Pen II is a precision writing instrument with an aerospace-grade aluminum body, all built tanktough in case you need to deliver a “pointed” message! But hey, it’s still a pen so it would work great in your uniform shirt pocket and still give you that secret littlesomething should you need it. T1A Titan But wait! There’s more! The T1A Titan is one of sureFire’s hottest lights. Putting out 70 lumens of smooth, tactical-level light with only one lithium battery, light output is controlled with just a twist of the bezel. It’s tiny, tough and puts out more than three times the light as a three-D cell, full-sized flashlight! Leo utility knife You may not realize it, but sureFire has put the same savvy-know how they put into their lights into a line of rock-solid working knives. The lEO utility Knife is just that, a purpose-built folder made with the working cop in mind. The rugged titanium-frame features a drop-point steel blade you can open with one-hand. The blade has a built-in flathead screwdriver, perfect for removing license plates, and the low-profile flex-cuff cutter is sure to come in handy during your next riot. eP3 Sonic Defenders since keen hearing is critical for any working cop, sureFire has included two sets of their impressive EP3 sonic Defender Plus hearing protectors. safe sound levels are allowed to pass harmlessly through, while potentially harmful noises above 80db are reduced via a proprietary design incorporating the patented Hocks Noise Braker filter. And, their low-profile and comfortable fit mean they can be worn under a helmet. Photo: Joe Novelozo totaL VaLue: $1,400! Z2 LeD Combat Light Next up, the Z2 lED Combat light & Holster offers compact, high intensity light with a holster holding eight sureFire 123A lithium batteries. Perfect for a duty belt, this rig assures you have plenty of light, and the batteries to back it up if you need them. WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM You’ll have to agree, this is an unsurpassed package of “best-quality” gear from one of today’s premier tactical equipment makers. www.surefire.com, (800) 828-8809 tO enter COnteSt: Use a postcard (no envelopes, please) and answer the three questions on the left and follow the sample shown on the right. Send to AMerICAn COP Dept. X6, P.O. Box 501930, San Diego, CA 92150-1930. you can also enter on our Web site www.americancopmagazine.com. entries must be received before January 1, 2010. 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 2009: NamE ___________________________________ aDDrESS _____________ CITy, STaTE, ZIP____________ EmaIl aDDrESS _______________________ If I WIN, PlEaSE SHIP my PrIZE THrOUGH: Sample STOrE HOUrS __ am __ Pm DEalEr ___________________________________ aDDrESS _____________ CITy, STaTE, ZIP____________ PHONE ( ) ____ - ________ 672009-09-29T16:10:26+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=68http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=68AmerICAn 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. Belts THE BELTMAN makes sturdy, top quality, DUAL LAYER, Bull Hide belts for dress wear, concealed carry, or competition. Options include: Horse, Shark, Elephant, Velcro, tapering, stiffeners, etc. Handmade in three widths, and five colors from $69.95, any length! Catalogue - $3.00 (refundable) PO Box 1302, Apex, NC 27502. 919-387-1997. www.thebeltman.net. leatHer misc INdex Al Mar Knives ALS Technologies ASP, Inc. Benchmade Knife Company Black Hills Ammunition BLACKHAWK! Buffer Technologies Bushnell Copquest CorBon/Glaser Crimson Trace CrossBreed Holsters LLC Cylinder & Slide, Inc. D.P.M.S. DeSantis Holster Elite Operator Elite Sports Express Fail Zero Galco Gunleather 68 OF ADVerTiSerS 19 10 2 13 10 63 62 6 31 11 14 52 59 60 50 50 17 59 27 GETAC Glock, Inc. Hallmark Cutlery Hornady Manufacturing Insight Tech-Gear Insight Tech-Gear Kahr Arms Kimber Knifekits.com Lawman Leather Magpul Industries Corp. Maxpedition Mec Gar USA, Inc. O.F. Mossberg & Sons Officerstore Original SWAT Pearce Grip ProMag Industries Revision Eyewear The companies listed have featured advertisements in this issue. look to them first when you are ready to make a purchase. 12 61 68 7 23 31 54 72 15 11 33 53 64 17 8 3 27 62 9 Rick Hinderer Knives Ridge Outdoors USA, Inc. Rock River Arms Safariland Savage Arms Shooter’s Choice SHOT Show SIG SAUER Smith & Wesson Springfield Armory Streamlight Sturm Ruger & Co. SureFire Thunder Ranch TOPS KNIVES Tuff Products Winchester Olin Wolf and the Sheepdog XS Sights Systems 6 11 19 25 52 68 55 49 29 71 45 21 51 65 64 15 14 23 60 WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 20092009-09-29T16:10:26+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=69http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=69INsIDERrumInATIonS Continued from page 70 Batteries Included SQUEAkY CLEAN ere’s a very nice gun cleaning kit from M-Pro 7. It’s loaded with everything you need to keep your gun inspection-ready — multi-sectioned cleaning rod, a variety of bronze bristle brushes to fit anything from a .22 caliber to a 12-gauge shotgun, an assortment of patches and bronze jags, a breach brush, a silicone cloth and two-ounces each of both M-Pro 7 gun cleaner and lubricant. All these goodies come in a soft-sided, nylon zippered case. It’s perfectly sized for limited locker or equipment bag space. You’ll have no excuse for un-holstering a rusty gun with dust buffaloes in the barrel. www.mpro7.com H dOINg ThE NuMBERS trAFFIC FAtAlItIeS IN 2007. Were MAleS AGeS 16-24. Were FeMAleS AGeS 16-24. nsight Tech-Gear has done it again — they’re first to introduce the smallest (and coolest) gun light and laser for subcompacts. The X2L, shown here on a Springfield XD Subcompact in 9mm, has a visible red laser activated by a slider switch at the bottom of the unit and has a 200-meter range. The Xenon-bulb light is just over 40 lumens and is activated in either momentary or constant mode by an ambidextrous rocker switch. One 3V CR2 lithium battery will give you about 30 minutes of run-time. Best part of this laser/light is no tools are required to attach the little bugger to your gun. It secures with a spring-loaded latch bar, so it snicks on and off in no time. For around $250 your back-up gun can be just as tactical as your duty gun. www.insighttechgear.com I INsIDERrumInATIonS 41,059 7,183 2,683 OCCurred ON FrIdAYS,SAturdAYS ANd SuNdAYS. OCCurred BetWeeN 3:00 PM ANd 9:00PM. OCCurred BetWeeN 9:00 PM ANd 3:00 AM. OF driver FAtAlItIeS WIth BACS ≥ 0.08 Are BetWeeN 9:00 PM ANd 3:00 AM. Source: Insurance Institute For Highway Safety WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM 20,971 (52%) 12,919 (31%) 11,285 (27%) 4,492 (60%) he T-5000 Disposable Respirator and MyClyns Personal Spray are two items I believe no officer or agency should be without in this day and age when you’re more likely to be injured by unseen, sneaky microorganisms and pathogens (cooties). The respirators protect you from a boatload of fungi, bacteria and viruses all with impossible to pronounce names. They’re ideal for any scene or situation where a big clean up is necessary — think Hurricane Katrina, 9/11 or a train wreck. These aren’t like the paper filters you find at Home Depot and only filter things the size of golf balls. The personal spray allows you to immediately protect yourself from HIV-1, Hepatitis C and TB, to name just a few, when you’ve been exposed to them via blood, vomit, urine, saliva, feces or other bodily fluids. Yuck. It’s safe to use all about your face, including your eyes and mouth and on open wounds. Each single-use, nonaerosol bottle contains about 60 sprays and has a two-year shelf life. At $10 and $20 respectively, both of these products are cheap insurance against potentially life-long or life-ending diseases. Think about it. www.clynsbrands.com Breathe DeeP t * 692009-09-29T16:10:26+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=70http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=70suZI HuNTINGTON INsIDER rumInATIonS ur forefathers and help quell crime — really knew especially if they were how to speak using their rightfully eloquently — owned gun to do it! if only they We should aprealized how plaud the people their beautiful words who confront and would become twisted claim victory over Amendment II in modern society. The bad guys. Shake the A well regulated debate over their meanhand and thank the Militia, being necessary ing rages on and you storeowner or clerk to the security of a free and I must continue to who nails the wouldState, the right of the navigate the minefield be robber. Yeah, what people to keep and bear of new gun laws created they did is dangerous, Arms, shall not be every year. Depending but it’s their right to infringed. upon who’s controlling protect themselves the House and Senate, and others. They the laws ebb and flow don’t have to wait in much like the ocean tide the equally dangerous on a sandy beach. Can I situation for one of us carry today, tomorrow, to show up and save next Tuesday or when I’m retired? Who’s on first? Why has them. Think about it, they’re taking action. Good vs. evil, this become such a confusing subject? and right and wrong must be important to them. Cops are minutes away — when seconds count. O Cops And The 2 AmendmenT nd Constitution For Beginners Although there are a total of 27 amendments, the first ten are what we’re most familiar with and referred to as The Bill of Rights. These ten amendments were proposed March 4, 1789 and ratified December 15, 1791. All laws, new and old, have their roots in the Bill of Rights and the U.S. Constitution and should not be taken lightly. The Second Amendment has been interpreted so much and by so many it makes my head spin. Each time it’s reinterpreted it seems to have about a dozen extra special interest groups adding their two cents-worth because one person was tragically killed by some turd who should have been exterminated years ago. I’m not heartless, I’m just tired of seeing the special “So-and-so Act of Whenever” being passed with much fanfare as a feel-good, this is gonna solve our society’s problems legislation. These laws generally only add extra penalties onto the sentences of those same turds who don’t respect anything or anybody already — they have no effect on their mindset when deciding to victimize innocents. I think of the Second Amendment as a means for society not only being able to fend for itself, but as one more way of helping you and I on the street. Society has the right and should be expected to take care of themselves. We’ve made too many people dependent on government to do everything for them. I hated all that responsibility when I was on the street and resented it when the community blamed me (the government) for their victimization. I loved it when someone would step in 70 Good For The Goose Every citizen living in and wanting to keep their state free should be allowed to keep and bear arms, plain and simple. No elitist attitude in that statement. Remember, you and I are citizens first, cops second. There should be none of this “I can carry a gun whenever I want because I’m a cop, but you can’t” mentality. What’s good for us is good for The People too. Society is just as responsible for knowing what’s right and wrong; the only difference between them and us is we’ve got a little more training on the subject and have chosen to be in this profession. Since moving to a much smaller community than San Diego, I put myself in the boots of the local cops here and think if I were patrolling this vast rural area, I’d feel a comfort in knowing the community was well armed (and they are). My cover unit might have to respond from a neighboring county. If Mr. Smith happened to hear the commotion and showed up with his lever action .30-30 to help my sorry butt, I’d be most appreciative. It’s a simple idea and one I think our founding fathers meant to keep simple. It’s those who don’t want to roll up2009-09-29T16:10:26+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=71http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=712009-09-29T16:10:26+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=72http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanCop/ACND09/?Page=72Ultra CDP II™ pistols in .45 ACP & 9mm have 3-inch barrels & weigh just 25 ounces. The Best Defense. The Custom Defense Package–CDP–from Kimber. The Pro CDP II™ .45 ACP has a 4-inch barrel and full-length grip. At just 28 ounces, it is easy to carry & conceal. CDP pistols are powerful, accurate and absolutely dependable. Built in the , they feature night sights and 30 lines-per-inch Kimber® Custom Shop™ checkering on the frontstrap and under the trigger guard for a positive grip. , Slides are machined from stainless steel and aluminum frames wear KimPro II™ a premium finish that is self-lubricating and extremely resistant to the elements. All have a match grade barrel, chamber and trigger. Adding these features during production reduces their price by over $500, giving them incredible value. See them in action at www.kimberamerica.com. Carry the best. Carry a Kimber. The Custom CDP II™.45 ACP has a 5-inch barrel and weighs only 31 ounces. It is the nest full-size 1911 carry pistol available today. CDP pistols feature match grade barrels, night sights and a Carry Melt treatment that rounds & blends edges to prevent snagging on clothing or holsters. The Choice of America’s Best. www.kimberamerica.com For information on products and dealer locations please send $2 to: Kimber, Dept. 252 One Lawton Street, Yonkers, NY 10705 Information is also available at (800) 880-2418 ©2009 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.2009-09-29T16:10:26+02:00