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DO WE REALLY NEED?? SWAT FN's Five-seveN Macho Mousegun Urban Riﬂe: Reliability: PART IV REVOLVERS FOCUS: VS. AUTOS ••POLYSHOCKPOLYSHOCK AMMO ••FEDERALFEDERAL FLIGHT CORRECTIONS — CONTROL BUCK ONE NATION ••AA FAILUREFAILURE TOTO PLANPLAN UNDER ARREST c2,c3,c4 2/9/06 2:14 PM Page c2 M-A section 1 2/9/06 2:01 PM Page 3 M-A section 1 2/9/06 3:51 PM Page 4

2006 Volume 1, Number 4 MAR • APR

WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM 46 ON THE COVER Photos: Rich Stahlhut

FEATURES 24 38 YOU JUST NEED TO BE WILLING DAVE SPAULDING ECQS, more letter salad?

40 IS TINY STILL TOUGH? CHARLES PETTY The FN Five-seveN.

46 DO WE REALLY NEED SWAT? CLINT SMITH Yes? No? Maybe?

51 HOW TO SMOKE A WEASEL JEREMY D. CLOUGH The care and feeding of unethical defense attorneys.

54 REVOLVERS -VS- AUTOS JIMMY JOHNSON Reliability or capacity — you choose.

56 BEHIND THE WALLS BRIAN DAWE The tough, tough job of correctional officers.

59 FLIGHT CONTROL MARK HANTEN Federal Ammunition’s shotgun ammo.

61 I’M NOT A COP BUT ... ROB LEATHAM Who wants to be in a fair gunfight?

62 OH NO! YOU DID WHAT I TOLD YOU ERNEST EMERSON Things we do without even realizing.

4 AMERICAN COP • MARCH/APRIL 2006 M-A section 1 2/9/06 2:01 PM Page 5

56 65 32 COLUMNS 51

16 LEAA JIM FOTIS

18 HIGH TECH BOB DAVIS

20 OFFICER SURVIVAL SAMMY REESE

22 EVOC ANTHONY RICCI

26 HARD TOOLS FRANK BORELLI 28 PRIVATE SECURITY PAUL MARKEL RESOURCES 30 STREET LEVEL JOHN MORRISON

32 REALITY CHECK II CLINT SMITH 77 SPOTLIGHT 80 CLASSIFIEDS 34 RESERVES CHARLES E. PETTY 26 80 AD INDEX 36 CARRY OPTIONS MARK HANTEN DEPARTMENTS

8 RETURN FIRE 24 ON THE JOB 82 INSIDER RUMINATIONS 40 D&L SPORTS AR15 PACKAGE! 74

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AMERICAN COP™ (ISSN 1557-2609) is published bi-monthly by Publishers’ Development Corp., 12345 World Trade Drive, San Diego, CA 92128. Application to mail at periodical postage rates is pending at San Diego CA 92128, and at additional mailing 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 Copy- right© 2006 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 Subscrip- tion 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 5 M-A section 1 2/9/06 2:01 PM Page 6

AMERICAN COP FOUNDING PUBLISHER GEORGE E. von ROSEN (1915-2000) PUBLISHER THOMAS von ROSEN EDITORIAL DIRECTOR ROY HUNTINGTON EDITOR DAVE DOUGLAS ART DIRECTOR/PHOTOGRAPHER RICHARD STAHLHUT EDITORIAL ASSISTANT ROCHELLE CANFIELD COPY EDITOR MARY UTTERBACK ART ASSISTANT ANDY LOY PRODUCTION MANAGER LINDA PETERSON ADVERTISING PRODUCTION REBEKAH EVELAND Lieutenant Cliff Kelker ´ RANDY MOLDE Marietta, GA Police Dept. PROMOTIONS DIRECTOR PROMOTIONS COORDINATOR LORINDA MASSEY Every Marietta police officer carries an M3 CONTRIBUTING EDITORS tactical illuminator. The advantage is clear… FIREARMS TRAINING EDITOR CLINT SMITH speed, confidence, and safety. CCW/DUTY CARRY EDITOR MARK HANTEN TECHNOLOGY EDITOR BOB DAVIS VEHICLE/EVOC EDITOR ANTHONY RICCI OFFICER SAFETY EDITOR DAVE SPAULDING PROFFESIONAL SECURITY EDITOR PAUL MARKEL SUPERVISORY SKILLS EDITOR JOHN MORRISON LEAA ISSUES EDITOR JAMES J. FOTIS EDGED WEAPONS EDITOR ERNEST EMERSON COMPETITION EDITOR ROB LEATHAM RESERVES EDITOR CHARLES E. PETTY LEGAL ISSUES EDITOR JEREMY D. CLOUGH PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR ICHIRO NAGATA PSYCHOLOGY EDITOR JOLEE BRUNTON CONTRIBUTING EDITORS WES DOSS, STEVE ALBRECHT, RICH DEPARIS, SHEP KELLY, BRIAN HOFFNER, RICH GRASSI, GARY MITROVICH, SAMMY REESE

FMG PUBLICATION EDITORS AMERICAN HANDGUNNER ROY HUNTINGTON GUNS MAGAZINE JEFF JOHN SHOOTING INDUSTRY RUSS THURMAN

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ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT ACCOUNT MANAGER ANITA CARSON ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE STEVE EVATT ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE BRIAN FRIESEN ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE DENNY FALLON ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE DELANO AMAGUIN NATIONAL ADVERTISING: 12345 World Trade Dr., San Diego, CA 92128 (858) 605-0209; Fax: (858) 605-0211 email: [email protected] GENERAL COUNSEL: STEELE N. GILLASPEY EAST COAST ADVERTISING: SIG BUCHMAYR Buchmayr Associates,28 Great Hill Rd., Darien, CT 06820; (203) 662-9740 PRINTING SERVICES: QUEBECOR WORLD

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6 AMERICAN COP • MARCH/APRIL 2006 M-A section 1 2/9/06 2:01 PM Page 7 M-A section 1 2/9/06 3:52 PM Page 8

RETURNFIRE

Why waltz with a big stick, when you can rock “& roll with a Browning.

My Kind Of Kid Hi Dave, outstanding magazine, I issue. I’ve been in and around this line magazine. Roy and I are having a great can’t think of a better one. My 10- of” work for a number of years now and time putting it together for you. So far year-old asked me to send you his read a lot of different law enforcement the only subscribers asking for their photo and his favorite comeback line. magazines. I was impressed by yours money back have been defense attor- He thinks you should print it because from the get go. It’s deﬁnitely the best! neys and I think I’ve made it clear how he is going to be a police officer one I can’t wait to renew my subscription. I feel about that. Dave day. Peter’s favorite comeback line: Yours is now the only one I’ll subscribe “Why waltz with a big stick, when you to. One other thing I’d like to say is to Unabashed Endorsement? can rock & roll with a Browning.” the knucklenut, writing that he wants Dave, I hold a “charter subscription” Ofc. B. Kiever and his money back. If he can’t handle a to American COP magazine and like so future Ofc. Peter Kiever, little article like that it’s really sad. many of your readers, when a new North Carolina Dave, please keep a great thing comin’! issue arrives I don’t put it down until I love everything in and about our pro- I’ve read it from the first page to the Tell Peter he could work on my fession. Everyone out there, stay safe last, unless work or sleep necessarily squad anytime. Dave and stay healthy! interfere. American COP contains Name withheld by request useful information about real issues No Knucklenuts! that can be put to immediate use by I’ve wanted to write since the first Thanks for the comments about the LEOs and responsible citizens alike.

8 AMERICAN COP • MARCH/APRIL 2006 M-A section 1 2/9/06 2:01 PM Page 9

2006 Conference & Expo

April 25-29, 2006 he 2006 ILEETA Conference and Expo will offer an unprecedented Tnumber (over 20) of Instructor Certification and Armorer Courses. Chicago, IL In addition, the nation's top law enforcement training professionals will be on hand to deliver Host Agencies: some of the latest and greatest information and # Arlington Heights PD skills programs. The 2006 ILEETA Conference and # Chicago Office of the Expo is an elite "instructor only" event with a total DEA focus on the professional law enforcement instructor. # Chicago Office of the The 2006 ILEETA Conference and Expo vendor area specifically focuses on FBI vendors that want to reach the professional law enforcement instructor. # Chicago PD Be a part of this exclusive association, based on your qualifications. # Hoffman Estates PD Remember, ILEETA has strict guidelines in place on who can be a # Mount Prospect PD member. # Niles PD If you are a law enforcement instructor and if you can attend only one # Rolling Meadows PD conference each year, this is definitely the one to attend. Ask yourself, "Can you really afford not to attend the 2006 ILEETA # Schaumburg PD Conference and Expo?" Make your plans now to be part of one of the best “instructor only” law enforcement conferences ever held Register NOW! — the 2006 ILEETA Conference and Expo! www.ileeta.org Wisdom and Courage Through Knowledge and Skill 262.279.7879

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RETURNFIRE The “Every Man for Himself” article on page 16 in the Jan/Feb issue was of particular interest and caused me to do a little research on the Law Enforcement Alliance of America. Of course I started with the LEAA Web site and read everything there, again from the ﬁrst page to the last. Then I Google’d the LEAA and found a variety of sites containing both complimentary and critical commentary. It all left me wondering if the LEAA really is as it advertises, and most importantly, if it really represents the majority opinion of law enforcement. I suppose it really doesn’t matter what profession one examines, there are going to be professional factions supporting opinions at opposing poles of any important issue. So, sometimes a guy has to seek the opinions of those he respects and who have like opinions on known issues to decide where his own opinion falls on less certain issues. All of this is a roundabout way of asking if the LEAA headline section in American COP magazine, and a photo of you appearing with what appears to be a group of lawfully armed citizens, is an unabashed endorsement of the LEAA? I’m asking because in a relatively short time, in just a few issues, the outstanding in-your-face, nothing-but-the-truth, tell-it-as-it-should- be-told content of the magazine you edit has earned you my respect, admiration and support. While that comment might be a bit too touchy-feely for you, or earn me nothing more than a big “whoop-de- do” in some circles, I know you value your readership almost as much as you do your advertisers. So I’m hoping all this flattery will at least earn me the courtesy of a reply. How about that LEAA? Do you think they’re worth somewhere between $26 and $200 of my hard-earned dollars? Jim Reid, West Des Moines, IA

Jim, Great letter! As for LEAA, I am not a member but Roy is a lifetime member. We decided to have them write The Wishbook Of CATALOG Everything The a column for COP because they do a MIL/LE Military and Law very good job on a number of important Armorers Supplies ALL NEWFOR ’06 Enforcement issues. There are areas where I disagree Armorer Needs with their position or approach but like Brownells New MIL/LE Catalog; Proudly Serving Those In Uniform the NRA, on balance, LEAA is a good With The Tools and Supplies They Need To Stay Mission Ready. Parts and accessories for AR-15/M16/M4 and other Tactical Rifles, organization. From what I’ve read, the Handguns, and Shotguns, plus Tools, Cleaning Supplies,Tactical Gear, most vocal opposition to LEAA comes Slings, Scopes, Mounts, Training Aids, Targets, Optics. from FOP and other “cop labor organi- The brands you know and trust: Badger Ordinance, Brownells, zations.” LEAA is very conservative in Buffer Technologies, Dewey, DPMS, Falcon Industries, H.S. Precision, L & R, Manson Precision, Otis, Rock River Arms, Smith Enterprises, its politics and the acrimony between Surefire, Trijicon, Wilson Combat, Yankee Hill, and many, many more. these organizations is understandable 800-741-0308 when that’s taken into consideration. www.brownells.mil-le.com I like LEAA’s position on the Second 48-Page Catalog FREE to Military and Law Enforcement Personnel and Agencies. Amendment and their stewardship of HR Discount pricing available. Everything we sell is 100% GUARANTEED - Period. 218 (Law Enforcement Officers Safety Brownells, 200 S. Front St., Dept #AYF,Montezuma, IA 50171 Orders: 800-741-0308 Act.) FOP will argue they were the ones Master Card/VISA/Discover/AmEx/IMPAC/COD/Check/Dept. P.O. www.brownells.mil-le.com Fax: 800-264-3068 WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM 11 M-A section 1 2/9/06 2:02 PM Page 12

RETURNFIRE who got HR218 through the House and Senate. Former and disgraced Represen- tative Randy Cunningham said LEAA was the driving force behind the law and without them it would never have been possible. He also said the FOP, in response to their member’s wishes, got behind the law and championed it the last part of the way through the process. Without FOP’s inﬂuence it would never have become law. So to sum up and give you a real answer. I like LEAA and will support them. Maybe not everything they come up with is a bag of rubies but if I disagree I have the luxury to write about it in my Insider Ruminations Column. Dave Not For Administrators Dave, Just ﬁnished reading Jan/Feb ™ 2006. The wisdom and articles are right The Low-Light Advantage. on the mark and my hat’s off to the entire staff and Contributing Editors. (Warning Not for Administrators — Do Not Read — “Developing the Com- Meprolight® night sights have established a bative Mind,” by: Dave Spaulding). I worldwide reputation for unequaled brightness look forward to each edition. I have and durability. Imported by Kimber,® gunmakers passed out all the subscription cards like Glock, H&K, Kahr, Benelli and Remington within magazine. install Meprolight sights because they are David Moore, Fixed & adjustable the best. Osan Airbase, South Korea night sights for most pistols. Backed by an unequaled warranty and 20% David, thanks for the kind words. brighter than other brands, Meprolight night sights install easily You probably already know this but if and fit most popular brands and models not, I used an old sergeant trick and titled the article so the Lieutenants, of pistols, rifles and shotguns. Fixed or Captains and above would be com- adjustable versions are available for pelled to read it. It’s like telling your most pistols. Meprolight is the right teenage kid they can’t do something. sight in any light. Attention Lieutenants, Captains and above: Don’t write in about this com- Exclusively imported by Reflex sights with bright, ment— he-he-he. Dave dependable 24-hour aiming without battery power. Playboy Vs. COP? Dept 657, One Lawton Street, Yonkers, NY 10705 Dave, I got home from working a (800) 880-2418, www.kimberamerica.com part-time gig last night and found my Free brochure available. latest copy of American COP waiting © 2005 Kimber Mfg., Inc. for me. I read as much as I could until my eyes fell shut. This morning I powered through the rest. &^%$#@* awesome. Sorry for my unprofessional use of profanity. Please don’t give me a letter of reprimand. I promise not to do it again. Yeah right! Seriously, you and Roy have hit the nail on the proverbial head, for real cops, by cops. Maybe administrators and those who have found themselves so far from the smell of duty leather and drunken puke will pick up an issue and covet it like a 12-year-old who found an old copy of dad’s Playboy (I learned a lot from that issue). Hopefully they’ll learn something too. Sammy, Escondido, CA Professional Security Dave, I’ve worked as a Security 12 AMERICAN COP • MARCH/APRIL 2006 M-A section 1 2/9/06 2:02 PM Page 13

Officer more years of my life than I tion loop. Anytime you need cover, have not. At times, I’ve been embar- I’ve got it. rassed by my fellow officers but that David Moore, comes with any profession. The times Modesto, CA it hurt the most was when a “Sworn Officer” disrespected me. Your maga- Thanks David. When the magazine zine has shown a great deal of respect was in the planning stage we were trying to us “Tin Badges” and it has truly to include as many of the law enforce- healed some wounds. Thank you. ment disciplines as we could. We ﬁrmly As a Training Officer (yes, even we believe Professional Security and Sworn have those) I have both used your Law Enforcement need to share informa- information and passed it around to tion. The only result will be better service my fellow officers. Maybe, with a to the folks in our communities. Dave publication like yours that isn’t wor- ried about P.C. or just out to sell your Nice Comments! advertiser’s products, my fellow offi- I must be dreaming! Finally a maga- cers can be brought into the informa- zine for the Road Patrol Officer or WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM M-A section 1 2/9/06 3:54 PM Page 14

RETURNFIRE Supervisor! A magazine from a cop’s point of view with no BS! It’s nice to read something I can relate to and that pulls no punches! Thanks and sign me up — I look forward to future issues! Stefan Crane I just started getting your magazine and I think it’s great. It’s got very good articles and has good equipment stats. You guys have a great new magazine and I look forward to the next issue. Keep the good articles about real life as a cop. Bob W. Minden, NV Just sent my subscription after reading the Nov/Dec issue. This is a no-bull mag that looks like it’s written by guys who were or have been on the streets. Thanks for putting a good one together and keep up the good work! Ken, Cherry Valley, IL

Gentlemen, an excellent magazine. I just finished reading and yes I liked the pictures too. I will be recommending to my boss, Deputy Chief Tom Moore to subscribe to your magazine for Depart- mental use. I have a new officer in our FTO program and several of your articles were very fitting and informative. Thanks again. Lt. Charles Abel Day, Shift Commander, Monroe Police Department. As one of those mouth-breathing, knuckle-dragging Security Officers, I want to thank you for this great magazine. I am the No. 2 man in a Dallas, Texas based security company who has most of 21 years in Emergency Services. (I can shoot ’em or patch ’em up.) We take pride in our work and strive to be the best. We do not have a tax base to provide funds for our training, nor can we get grants to fund our operations, but we have the resolve to be as well trained as the Sworn Officers we come into contact on a daily basis. I thank you for putting this wonderful source of real-world information out for us to dwell over. I look forward to each new issue and just wish it were put out each month! Thanks again for the support for us lower-class citizens. R. T. Jones

AMERICAN COP® welcomes letters to the editor for the Return Fire column. Letters should be typewritten or emailed but leg- ible handwriting is acceptable. We reserve the right to edit all published letters for clarity and length. Due to the volume of mail, we are unable to individually answer either written cor- respondence or e-mail. Send your letters to Return Fire, Amer- ican COP, 12345 World Trade Drive, San Diego, CA 92128; internet: www.americancopmagazine.com

14 AMERICAN COP • MARCH/APRIL 2006 4HE2APTORÍ3ERIESFROM+IMBER

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LEAA JAMES J. FOTIS

THE LAW ENFORCEMENT ALLIANCE OF AMERICA.

nspector Harry Callahan will have to turn in that .44 Magnum at the end of his shift now that San Francisco has passed Proposition H. Dirty Harry can only tell the bad I guys to make his day when he’s on duty and “carrying out the functions of his or her government employment.” In all other instances, he’ll be banned from possessing a handgun, along with all other cops and law-abiding citizens. The gun grabbers behind Proposition H would like you to think disarming law-abiding citizens and off-duty cops is a means of advancing public safety. And just when you thought the gun grabbers in San Francisco couldn’t get any dumber, consider this: The ban specifically bans possession of handguns in San Francisco only for residents of San Francisco. In a nod to the commuter criminal, Prop H says loud and clear to any would-be robber, rapist or murderer that the people of San Francisco are now helpless Gun Control to defend themselves. IS NOT They Don’t Crime Control he gun-ban lobby routinely sets Trust You With Guns out to trample on the Second hen we founded the LEAA well over a decade ago, we had a simple Amendment, but have you ever motto summing up the common sense beliefs shared by street cops T heard of them proposing to strip — gun control is not crime control. The San Francisco Police Offi- career criminals of their right to Fourth Wcers Association understands and said as much in their stinging Amendment protections so police can rebuke of Proposition H’s claim to be a public-safety measure. Prop H contains search for illegal guns? Have you ever the ridiculous claim, “The presence of handguns poses a significant threat to the heard them call for waiving Fifth safety of San Franciscans.” Amendment protections so criminals The San Francisco POA sets that claim straight in a press release, stating, can’t take a pass on admitting to illegal “In reality, the presence of criminals in possession of any firearm poses a gun possession? Of course not, they significant threat to the safety of all Americans.” only seek to infringe on the Constitu- And while police groups like LEAA and the San Francisco POA opposed tional rights of law-abiding Americans. Proposition H, the voters of San Francisco bought the gun-ban lobby lies Next time you hear someone touting hook, line and sinker. Now it’s up to an NRA filed lawsuit to undo their the lies of the gun-ban lobby, let them lunacy. Prop H reflects the ultimate aim of the gun-ban lobby — complete in on the common sense truth that street and total disarmament. It doesn’t matter if you’re a cop or law-abiding cit- cops see every day — gun control is not izen, they don’t trust you with guns. And while in some cases the gun-ban crime control. And if you want to do lobby might carve out exceptions to their bans for cops in order to fool a even more to combat the gun-ban few more people into believing their lies, make no mistake, they won’t stop lobby’s lies, become a until they take everyone’s guns — except of course the criminals. Member of LEAA today. *

James J. Fotis is a retired officer from New York and the Executive Director of the Law Enforcement Alliance of America (LEAA). LEAA works to promote officer safety issues, defend law enforcement in the media and promote the belief that gun control is not crime control. You can find out more or become a member of the hard-hitting, conservative, unabashedly pro-cop, pro-gun, pro-self defense LEAA by visiting their Web site at www.leaa.org

16 AMERICAN COP • MARCH/APRIL 2006 M-A section 1 2/9/06 2:02 PM Page 17

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TM M-A section 1 2/9/06 2:02 PM Page 18

HIGHTECH BOB DAVIS

CUTTING EDGE WIDGETS — AND OTHER NEW STUFF. GOTGOT INFO?INFO? nformation is as valuable as manpower, and in some instances, like combating terrorism, even more. But where do you go to find reliable infor- I mation. Facts about equipment, opinions of so- called experts or just unabashed advertising hype can draw us into the salesman’s lair. At times we become victims of our exuberance to get the newest stuff. But now I’ve discovered the National Memo- rial Institute for the Prevention of Terrorism. Incorporated in September 1999, MIPT grew out of the desire of the Oklahoma City bombing survivors and families to have a living memorial and prevent other cities from living through terrorist attacks. They feel a spe- FIRST RESPONDERS cial obligation to first responders — cops, firefighters, EMTs and others. MIPT sponsors research on equipment, training and procedures to help us prevent and respond to terrorism events. KNOWLEDGE BASE he “Responder Knowledge Base” provides emer- MIPT’s library provides gency responders, purchasers and planners with a a valuable resource to trusted, integrated, online source of information on first responders. T products, standards, certifications, grants and other equipment-related information. Its mission is to study the gap between current responder equipment and threats presented by 21st century terrorists. Every attempt is made to answer six simple questions: •What equipment is available now? •Has it been tested or certified? •What standards were used in the process? •What training is needed to use the equipment? •How can I get funding to pay for it? •Who has used it? Once you’ve been granted admittance, you’ll have access to information on thousands of products. Each product’s The Tree Of detail page contains information and its appropriate use and photo if available. Foreign acronyms are defined by hovering your mouse pointer over the hyperlink. Tabs across the top of Knowledge the page provide detailed data regarding operations, logistics key to preventing terrorism on American soil is arming and physical parameters in a no-nonsense, non-biased our agencies with as much relevant information as pos- approach. On the same page, you’ll find “Knowledge Links” sible. This Web site is one of the best places to begin. allowing you to verify standards and check against the Fed- AYou’re immediately greeted with the statement “I’m eral Authorized Equipment List and third-party certifications. interested in …” You’ll see a list of top 10 categories such as: A “Special Requirements” tab is where you’ll find info on •Patterns of Global Terrorism training requirements, warranty and other details. •Al Qaeda Besides information on equipment, they also provide •Terrorism in the United States information on available grants and other forms of financial •What You Can Do/Neighborhood Terrorism Prevention assistance. We all know combating terrorism isn’t cheap. •World Trade Center Training alone can break the bank and your budget; don’t •First Responders overlook those offerings. •Building Security Whether we want to admit it or not, terrorism is now a part •Homeland Security of our lives. There’s no doubt our children and maybe theirs •Articles will be combating it. It’s our duty to prevent attacks whenever •EmergencyManagement possible. Our best defense is gaining knowledge without bias If one of the general categories doesn’t fit your needs, so we can make responsible and appropriate decisions. Take a just follow the link to all 84 categories. There, thousands of look at the National Memorial Institute for the prevention of books, reports, journals, articles, etc. on terrorism exist in Terrorism Web site. You’ll be amazed at the amount of signifi- electronic format. You can scroll through the alphabetical cant information and products — and you might just find a listings or use the search tool following the author’s name, funding source, too. title, subject, word or phrase. Web site: www.mipt.org. *

18 AMERICAN COP • MARCH/APRIL 2006 M-A section 1 2/9/06 2:02 PM Page 19 M-A section 1 2/9/06 2:02 PM Page 20

OFFICERSURVIVAL SAMMY REESE

GETTING HOME IN THE SAME CONDITION YOU WENT TO WORK IN. It Was A Dark And Stormy Night ctually, it was the last day of my workweek, the shopping center next to a family restaurant. The CI (hype) Watch Commander looked up from her desk, “I need and UC officer (dressed in the described uniform) will to see to you after briefing.” It must have been the make contact, purchase the drugs and the team will swoop A look on my face, “You’re not in trouble,” she added in taking all into custody. “It’s a special assignment.” After the brief, I asked if I might pose some questions. I’d be the SWAT officer assisting a “Task Force” with a The conversation went something like this: buy bust later that morning. I assumed this one would be “You probably covered this, and I missed it, but since squared away like the rest — wrong. these dealers are known to be very violent and almost The Task Force’s attire was what we call the “under- always have a back-up car loaded with some other bad cover uniform” — short hair, goatee, Oakley sunglasses dudes and lots of guns, what’s our plan to identify this and an unbuttoned Hawaiian short sleeve shirt, allowing vehicle and take it out of play?” their service pistols to “print.” They were about as low pro- Long pause. “We didn’t plan for that contingency, but we’ll file as the Ohio State Marching Band. take them down too.” I’ll paraphrase their OP-plan. At approximately 1130 “What’s the location of our rally points?” hours we’ll conduct a buy bust on some very bad dudes. “Why would we need rally points?” They’re members of a major prison gang — armed and “What if things go bad and shots are fired? The mall very violent. The location is in the parking lot of a busy parking lot is huge. We may have a hard time accounting for everybody.” “How about right here?” “We’re a mile and a half from the location, may I suggest something a little closer and with some cover maybe?”

Failing To Plan Is Planning To Fail ther than military and law enforcement, I can’t think of too many jobs where the absence of Oa plan costs lives. Every aspect This Could Really Get Ugly of patrol work presents some type of threat. We’ve all had the “victim” who looked over and my Sergeant was tempered tone. was much more trouble than the “sus- already on his cell to the Watch He turned to the group and pect.” All is not as it seems. I Commander. announced, “This operation is can- A friend of mine always says, “If As phone calls were being made celled!” Then, he turned to me and you are not operating in condition and questions pondered, a “Suit” said, “Thanks for your input — you yellow to orange at all times on this job approached me. I knew he was the may just have saved some lives today.” — you’re doing it wrong.” boss by the permanent scowl on his I asked my Sergeant what the evil Sure, not every radio call requires a face. Now you did it, I thought, you smile was for. His response (profanity ﬁve-page op-plan, but you need to opened your big fat mouth and stuff is edited out) was “Good job, some other “what if” situations that can make the really going to hit the fan now. I was guys wouldn’t have had the guts to call go south and come up with solu- formulating an apology when he pick apart their op-plan like that. tions. For a regular day of patrol it may asked, “In your opinion how do think Failing to plan is planning to fail and I be a series of very simple plans linked this will turn out?” hope that case agent learned some- together. But you need “Not well, sir,” I answered in a thing. Now get back in service.” to have a plan. *

20 AMERICAN COP • MARCH/APRIL 2006 M-A section 1 2/9/06 2:02 PM Page 21

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® M-A section 1 2/9/06 2:02 PM Page 22

EVOC ANTHONY RICCI

SURVIVING IN YOUR MOBILE OFFICE. Can’t See? Can’t Hear? Now It’s Getting Interesting …. nder extreme stress the human your training to escape danger, evade body has instinctual mecha- a road hazard or neutralize the threat, nisms that kick in to help you your rate of survival just might go up. Ureact to a hazardous situation. Ever messed up and almost had an Auditory During that time, the driver must work accident? Think back and remember off instinct and muscle memory to the feeling you had shortly after. An make the most of his skills. If you adrenalin release probably elevated Exclusion haven’t practiced and maintain bad your heart rate and gave you a shaky s a self-defense mechanism, habits, your chances of surviving are feeling in your extremities. Now, the human body can “tune going to be reduced significantly. take that same situation and add out” auditory cues to allow If you react instinctively and use shots fired. That same physical reac- A the processing of more crit- tion is multiplied ical information. Hearing may not be a many times and critical sense during casual, day-to- you have to rely on day driving, but can be critical when training and instinct driving under stress. Details, instruc- to avoid an accident tions or radio traffic can be missed as — and still possibly a driver tunes out sounds when make an arrest. focusing on the task at hand. Critical Let’s take a typ- engine and tire noise might be missed. ical single vehicle Multitasking can be very difficult vs. stationary object under stress. Yet, details delivered to a accident. The nat- driver via sounds can be very impor- ural tendency for tant and could change the outcome of a most people is to situation. Training is one of the easiest focus on the object ways to overcome this auditory exclu- possessing the most sion. Making the actions behind the immediate threat. wheel a habit — muscle memory — Unfortunately, this can allocate more of your body’s may not be the cor- resources to listening and compre- rect thing to do hending details. Which allows you to when trying to react to a given threat more effectively. avoid a crash. Fine-motor skills may be reduced There’s a few things too. Very rarely, under normal condi- to keep in mind in tions, does a driver apply full braking these situations. to the point of locking the brakes, apply the throttle to the floor or use very large steering corrections. Most of these actions are performed with fine Loss Of Visual Acuity muscle groups in the hands and feet. ne of the most common changes is tunnel vision. A driver generally tends Under stress, the body will lose a large to look in the direction the vehicle travels. That’s the reason the vehicle percentage of its fine-motor skills. ends up crashing into the object the driver was looking at. Whether due to Unfortunately, the loss of these Oincreased speed, adrenalin or both, a driver loses a large percentage of motor skills seriously hinders a their peripheral vision. As the driver’s field of vision tightens, surrounding driver’s ability to properly use the objects, potential threats or escape routes will become blurry or invisible. controls to the degree needed in the Finding yourself in a situation where your vehicle has lost grip coming around situation. Once again, training can a slippery corner, the best course of action will be to look at the space where you come to the rescue. Make your reac- want the vehicle to go. You should practice putting focus on the desired path of tions trained reactions and you’ll go your vehicle. It’s a good idea to focus farther ahead to identify threats, and to on “auto-pilot” when keep your eyes from focusing on a specific point for a long period. the time comes. *

Anthony Ricci is the owner and president of Advanced Driving and Security (ADSI). He’s been teaching cops to drive for over 10 years. www.1adsi.com.

22 AMERICAN COP • MARCH/APRIL 2006 M-A section 1 2/10/06 10:25 AM Page 23

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ONTHEJOB COMMANDER GILMORE

A CAREFULLY-SELECTED COLLECTION OF SLAPSHOTS AND SNOT-FLINGIN’ FUNNYSTUFF FROM FELLOW COPS. Dudes, Why Didn’t You Videotape This? ’mon, we don’t get that many was under an office window. That office scooped up the rock. Uh-oh; no dope — opportunities to film “Stupid was, you guessed it, the home of the local just a note. It read, “You’re under arrest. Crook Tricks,” but the Nar- dope detail. Officers watched as Daniel Look up at the police station.” He did. C cotics Squad in Stamford, Con- buried his stash, and though they were Two cops were smiling and waving from necticut had the chance and blew it. instantly curious, they waited until they the window, while another pair were At the last minute, it seems 21-year saw him stumbling into the courthouse creepin’ up behind him. old Daniel Garcia decided it might be before they tiptoed outside and dug it up. Daniel’s father offered the statement, unwise to appear in court holding about Daniel returned a short time later, all “I didn’t train him to be this dumb,” to $1,500 in marijuana. He buried it under giggly-tickled that he hadn’t been which we have to ask, “Just how dumb a rock a short distance away. The rock remanded to custody, and did you train him to be?” HOW DID THEY EVER GET ONTO THIS PLACE? an, talk about some intensive investigation! The Memphis, Tennessee Police recently announced that they M had raided and shut down a crack house on Rosamond Street and arrested the dealer. Besides the hordes of scumbags flittin’ in and out of the place all day, they had this other subtle clue indicating that there might be criminal activity going on: Every morning, the crack merchant would announce he was open for business by hanging a sign outside his door. It read, “CRACK HOUSE.” This Guy’s Not Cut Out For A Life Of Crime. There Are Only Two Kinds Of erry Niles, the Undersheriff and chief investigator in Garfield Justice Left: Street And Poetic County, Oklahoma, was saddened Jwhen he handled the burglary of a ou don’t want to do out the door, she called the police. less-than-affluent lady’s home. Her tele- this!” a bartender at a Officer Michael Badgley and two vision, VCR and stereo were among the Great Falls, Montana other patrol cops were dispatched, but property stolen and her door was dam- “Ycasino told the man Michael never made it to the casino. As aged. Jerry did his best to develop any across the counter. “You’re on he cruised into the area, a bicyclist sud- leads, but he had nothing when the camera!” But 39-year-old Robert denly zipped out in front of him. Bad- victim called a week later to report her Lawrence Thrash didn’t pay any gley couldn’t stop quickly enough, and house had been broken into again. attention to the warning. He poked the guy on the bike was struck and This time, the suspect brought back the barrel of his sawed-off rifle in killed. It was Robert. The loot from the all the stolen goods, neatly reconnected the bartender’s face, repeated his casino was recovered from his body. the entertainment equipment and even robbery mantra and forged ahead. With his level of luck, we can’t help repaired the door. Jerry’s still lookin’ for The barkeep handed over a stack of wondering if it was a stolen him — but maybe not too hard. cash, and as soon as Thrash went bike with defective brakes. *

Got something to share? Send it to me at [email protected] and if I use it, I’ll fish around in my desk and find some kinda cheap gizmo to send you.

24 AMERICAN COP • MARCH/APRIL 2006 M-A section 1 2/10/06 10:26 AM Page 25 MEET YOUR NEW PARTNER

The Taurus PT 24/7 Pro Pistol. The NRA 2005 Pistol of The Year. It7s extraordinarily fast, really, really rugged and totally reliable. At the infamously difficult Steel Challenge, in the grit of the California high desert, this pistol flawlessly fired 10,000 rounds over 3 days while hitting the targets 4 times in less than 1.12 seconds, shattering the 2 second barrier at 30 feet and making the PT 24/7 Pro Pistol the fastest stock gun, period. It brings new meaning to5faster than a speeding bullet6. Taurus technology has created this new and unequaled semi-automatic pistol. It7s revolutionary During production of this ad because it fires normally from a smooth, light, short re-set single action mode. However, it reverts to Taran Butler shattered his 2005 double action mode automatically, and instantly, if a primer fails to ignite. After primer ignition the Steel Challenge record with 4 hits in firearm automatically reverts back to the single action trigger on its own. If the round must be ejected 97 hundredths of a second. manually, the firearm also reverts automatically to the short, single action mode. Total failure is an ever-present option with other pistols, even a likelihood. Not the Taurus PT 24/7 Pro Pistol. With unsurpassed durability it will function under all adverse conditions including heat, sand, mud, snow and 10,000 failure-free rounds. More punishment than you can imagine. In fact, we7re so confident the 24/7 Pro can take whatever you dish out we offer an Unlimited Lifetime Warranty. The Taurus PT 24/7 Pro Pistol. Unrelenting, unfailing and undaunted. Just what a partne-7s supposed to be.

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ESSENTIAL TOOLS FOR THE JOB. PolyShok Ammunition TWELVE GAUGE VERSATILITY ission — Say everything necessary about PolyShok 12-gauge ammunition in 700 words or less. “It’s accurate even out of non-rifled barrels. It’s M a good anti-personnel round and it’s good for breaching.” Okay; that’s it. Nowhere close to 700 words. Jim Middleton of PolyShok Ammunition called and Does It asked if I’d be interested in evaluating the Impact Reactive Projectile (IRP), I said, “Sure,” with the same lack of commitment common for such requests. After all, there’re sev- Function As Designed? eral companies manufacturing “special” ammunition. Jim hat about efficiency? Where ammo is concerned I sent me a couple of boxes of the PolyShok IRP ammo and consider it efficient if: 1) it does sufficient phys- during my next range day I tried it out. After seeing what ical damage to be immediately incapacitating, and it could do my motivation was much higher and I became W 2) it expends all of its energy within the target. a believer in PolyShok’s engineering. Again, the PolyShok IRP excels. Testing shows the IRP delivered a temporary wound cavity of approximately 12", with a permanent wound cavity of 6". Take a look down at your chest and imagine a 6" hole. That’s pretty darned incapacitating. The IRP round, due to its unique design, pene- trates an average eight inches. At that point, it’s expended all energy inside the intended target.

BIG SQUIRT GUN? ow’s this accomplished? PolyShok’s patent-pending IRP round has a shotcup filled with shot about half ACCURACY Saves Lives the size of # 12 shot. The end result is, on impact, o, what makes ammunition effective? Accuracy and H this mass acts like a liquid. Since delivering energy efficiency are my two top concerns, with a great deal (all of which travels in waves) from liquid to liquid is more S of consideration given to liability management. Accu- efficient than delivering energy from a solid to a liquid, the racy is easy to figure out. The projectile either goes where energy transfer from IRP projectile to animal tissue (mostly you aim it, or it doesn’t. Most often the reality is somewhere liquid) is quite efficient. The IRP projectile incapacitates the in between “exactly where I aimed” and “nowhere near target by delivering multiple injuries. The first, and most where I aimed.” When you’re discussing shotgun rounds obvious, is the entrance wound and permanent wound fired out of a non-rifled (slug) barrel, usually you settle for cavity. The second is the attached tissue damage resulting something “acceptable.” Add to that the fact many rounds from the full delivery of all contained energy creates the fired from 12 gauge are double-ought or other buckshot temporary wound cavity. The least obvious injury delivery rounds and accuracy becomes less of an issue because of is the impact energy wave that travels through all tissue. pellet spread. The fact pellet spread allows us less detailed PolyShok IRP ammo is also an excellent breaching accuracy with a shotgun dramatically increases our potential round. Since the projectile acts like a liquid, the effect is liability. After all, with spread comes missed shots, and like shooting hinges or doorknobs with a fast-moving every pellet is a liability farther down range. chunk of high-pressure water. The energy delivered still PolyShok IRP was quite impressive where accuracy removes the hinge/knob, but there is minimal chance of ric- is concerned. My Remington 870 20" slug barrel with ochet or deflected particles to worry the breacher. rifle sights put five shots into one big hole bench-rested I ended up quite impressed with PolyShok IRP. The 12- from 50 yards. To accomplish this, PolyShok designed gauge shotgun traditionally offers versatility in potential tail stabilization into the IRP rounds. The increase in loads, but adding the IRP to your inventory increases your accuracy is obvious and the round makes quite a distinc- versatility without increasing the weight you carry. tive sound as it travels downrange. For more info: www.polyshok.com. *

26 AMERICAN COP • MARCH/APRIL 2006 M-A section 1 2/9/06 2:03 PM Page 27

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PRIVATESECURITY PAUL MARKEL

ISSUES AND TRENDS ON THE PRIVATE SIDE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT. WORKING TOGETHER; RESTORE ORDER TO NEW ORLEANS

’ve just returned from New Orleans and cooperation received from the law entering the city. That makes sense, where I worked for a private secu- enforcement community was nothing shoot at the guy who is trying to get the rity company. During my travels less than impressive. power back on. Ithere and the surrounding communi- As private contractors, our mission Other assignments included safeties, I encountered cops from all over was safeguarding people and property guarding hospitals, office buildings, the country: small villages, large cities, from the lawless element. My first hotels and private homes. Many corpo- rural sheriff’s departments, state assignment was escorting utility com- rate executives needing to enter the city troopers and the full gambit of alphabet pany emergency response personnel to assess their business damage were soup federal agencies. During my two back to the affected area. Drug gangs wise to contract professional security weeks, the tremendous level of respect had fired on the first groups of workers personnel to protect them. Beirut On The Bayou hortly after arriving in New Orleans I heard it referred to as “Beirut on the Bayou.” And, in a way, it very much reminded me of being overseas during Stime of war. The first thing folks asked was, “Where are you from?” Most everyone you encountered was from somewhere else. If you didn’t have a chance to talk but were driving by another unit you would wave or flash the “thumbs up” sign. These simple gestures were more than mere politeness; they were a form of bonding for strangers involved in a common conflict. While moving around the area we would encounter frequent checkpoints manned by state troopers from Kentucky, Georgia, California, and naturally Louisiana. During frequent foot and vehicle patrols we ran into cops from the NYPD and Chicago PD. Smaller communities such as Cleburn, Texas and the Columbus, Ohio suburb of Dublin were represented as well. Agents from the DEA, ATF, FBI, and U.S. Marshal’s SOG worked in different sectors throughout New Orleans. I moved around a lot during my time in theater and most meals consisted of military MRE’s or the “beanie-weanie” canned food civilian version of the MRE. Several chow halls had been set up around the city to feed the emergency services personnel. On a few occasions we were invited to dine with cop friends we had made down there. A hot meal might not sound like a big deal to most people, but to someone who hasn’t had one in several days, it was a welcome treat.

volunteered to go to New Orleans could Many of the security guys were only be there for a relatively short time. former soldiers or Marines. Several BONA FIDE Most of the cops I met had taken leave of were serving members of reserve units absence to go down and help. Some had and had been to exotic locations such as even cashed in personal days to make the Afghanistan and Iraq. In short, the vast GOOD GUYS trip. All would have to return to the reg- majority of the private security people I fter I returned home someone ular jobs and homes sooner or later. spoke with were bona ﬁde good guys. asked me why private security Who were the men in New Orleans Amid the chaos imposed by man A people were needed down there working for private security companies? and nature, cops and professional secu- when there were so many cops. Talking with a number of men from other rity men worked together to restore The answer is really twofold. First of companies, as well as my own, I got a order to a city plunged into a state of all, law enforcement has a duty to pro- good feel for their backgrounds. What I lawlessness. My hat is off to the men tect the public in general, not in spe- discovered was that many of them were and women in blue from all across our ciﬁc. Even with all of the cops down either active or retired cops. Like their nation who, during a time of need, left there, they could not protect all people brothers in uniform, these guys had home and comfort to at all times. Secondly, the cops who cashed in personal days or taken leave. answer the call. *

Paul Markel has been a cop since 1991. He's served several communities in his native Ohio. Paul also provides executive protection in the US and overseas.

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STREET LEVEL JOHN MORRISON

STRAIGHT TALK ON SUPERVISION & LEADERSHIP ON THE FRONT LINES — THE STREETS. Straight Talk On Supervision & Leadership

ecap. “Punishment” is only departmental embarrassment decides officers were driving at high speeds when one of several aspects of disci- far too many disciplinary actions. they failed to negotiate corners and side- R pline — frequently and wrong- The manner in which discipline is swiped parked vehicles. Both accidents fully employed. imposed can frequently determine the were due to excessive speed for condi- “Context” is important. A violation, real value of disciplinary action. tions and misjudgment. One was appearing clear-cut, may deserve mitiga- Context—I routinely reviewed super- responding to an “officer needs help” tion, exoneration or even commendation. visors’ disciplinary investigations and call, and one was simply roaring around “Ink” should never dictate the level had to ask, “What was the officer doing his beat because he was bored. of discipline imposed. “Bad press” or and why?” Put the action in context. Two The reporting sergeants had been infected with our arcane “just the facts, ma’am, only the facts” mentality. The officers drove too fast and they crashed. Similar acts produced identical dam- ages, and thus received identical The Head, “adverse action” recommendations. The investigation processes were “standard” — simplistic and mechanical. Neither recommendation was truly dis- The Hormones, ciplinary in terms of “correcting, molding, or perfecting” performance or behavior. Then, “context” and true dis- The Heart ciplinary goals were factored in. One got a reprimand, pointing out t’s important too to assess whether An extreme example involved one his good motivation — and zealous the behavior occurred as a result superior young officer who bypassed misjudgment. The other pulled a repri- of a mistake of the head, the hor- his sergeant and lieutenant, came mand plus five days suspension for I mones, or the heart. Mistakes of straight into my office and confessed, negligent behavior. the head are the result of a lack of shaking and miserable, to assault Chiefs assess discipline in terms of training, lack of information, or, in under color of authority. He’d already dollar-damage. It’s therefore important many cases, an officer has to weigh mentally fired and criminally charged to thoroughly document context for multiple options — any of which himself. Weeks before, he had cited purposes of defending your recom- might be valid — in seconds. I’ve an ER doctor for speeding and reck- mended action. The goal is to correct reviewed cases where serious errors less driving and even caught him in a behaviors and ensure future compli- occurred because an officer, for lie about being en route to an emer- ance. Different treatments are needed at example, missed an in-service training gency. Since then, every time the cop different levels to achieve those goals. session on felony stops due to illness, went into that ER, that doctor would and his command never followed up; waylay, curse and taunt him. That day, others where a cop had insufficient the kid had snapped — and slapped Malignant suspect description or vehicle infor- the doctor. I had to calm him down mation, and was forced by the situa- and slowly reconstruct the event — Heart and tion to make a decision now, and it and discovered the doc had suggested resulted in official embarrassment. the officer have, let’s say, “alternative Mistakes of the head must often be sex” with his own mother. Poisoned Mind dealt with by “discipline,” but only to The phone rang, it was the glee- istakes of the heart are a dif- correct the deficiency and ensure fully ecstatic doctor, bent on getting ferent matter entirely. When future compliance — never to punish. the cop fired and jailed. I went to the a cop knows he’s about to Mistakes of the hormones occur hospital and ran it down to him. He Mdo a wrongful act for a when an officer commits one wrongful even admitted what he’d said. “Just wrongful reason, reflects on it — and act, which is entirely inconsistent with words,” he asserted. I then told him does it — that is an act to be punished, his usual, established exemplary per- the officer had buried his mother the and if possible, the officer should be formance and behavioral patterns. You previous day. I assured him that at his terminated. There’s no correction for a don’t punish most of these cases, insistence we would proceed, malignant heart. He’ll only learn to either. They’ll kick their own asses including full testimony in open court cover his tracks better higher and harder than you ever could. — and press coverage. He demurred. in the future. *

John Morrison served in combat as a Marine sergeant, and retired as a senior lieutenant from the San Diego Police Department, having served there as Director of Training, Commanding Officer of SWAT and division executive officer. He has taught, written and lectured widely on training, tactics and leadership. Contact him at [email protected]. 30 AMERICAN COP • MARCH/APRIL 2006 M-A section 1 2/9/06 2:03 PM Page 31 M-A section 1 2/9/06 3:26 PM Page 32

REALITYCHECKII CLINT SMITH

COUNSEL, WISDOM, GUIDANCE AND TEACHING. Part Four: Positional

he violent action often occurring — and the potential threat. Then there nuisance you might be dealing with. in law enforcement confronta- is often movement to closure with a Since one of these basic fundamen- T tions dictates officers should be threat, or movement away if we are tals is movement, it would be in the able to understand and apply the not happy where we are. A discrete best interest of our rifle-toting cop to three basic fundamentals of conflict. move to cover or concealment might understand movement. If you move, Without solid communications, move- be in order, with no reflection on the your change to cover and concealment ment and shooting, you may as well bravery of the cops involved! should be part of the understanding of stay home. Lastly, there’s shooting. You may the difference between the two. Don’t It’s actually pretty simple stuff. We need to defend yourself, the public or move to concealment when you should need to communicate with each other fellow officers from the all-around public be moving to cover to stop bullets. FIRING POSITIONS Standing hree primary rifle-firing positions should be taught he feet are placed slightly outside shoulder width as part of any rifle program. These three positions in an interview-type stance with the support elbow T — standing, kneeling and prone — provide three under the rifle to provide skeletal support for the different firing platforms, which allow access to three T shot. The strong hand applies rearward pressure, different visual planes. And that’s why we need to know holding the butt into the shoulder, while the strong elbow and understand them. is about parallel with the ground helping to reinforce the rifle butt-to-shoulder placement. A slight bend toward the target of the support side leg will force body weight forward, allowing some reduction in recoil. But more importantly, allowing movement to happen more easily than if Prone the weight is equally distributed. rone provides the lowest profile and the most stable platform. Going down to both knees and then using the opposite hand to break the fall, the shooter lays P flat on their stomach. The angle of the body can vary based on the terrain or available cover. The support elbow should be under the rifle and the strong elbow should contact the ground to help stabilize the platform.

Field prone

Field off hand

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Fundamentals for Rifles Kneeling neeling is possible in three styles: Braced, Speed and cheek making for three contact points. Double. All three have a place for application in LEO Speed kneeling is best used for short range rapid response field situations. Braced is the “premeditated” version application and one of its strongest points is the ability to K of kneeling, requires some set up time, but is the make the angle of attack on the fired projectile strike the most stable of the three options. The shooter simply moves threat at a steep upward angle at short range. In built-up or the support foot forward and drops down, allowing the oppo- compressed areas where bystanders may be present, this site side elbow to rest forward of the knee cap, avoiding application can help to reduce potential bystander injuries direct bone-to-bone contact of the elbow and knee. A meaty from pass-through bullets. It looks like half standing, which pad is located above the elbow on the backside of the oppo- lowers the cop’s profile as a target, and steeply changes the site arm and this pad should rest on the opposite side knee. angle of fire if required. The strong foot is curled under the strong side buttock, Double Kneeling is a no-brainer and done by simply while the strong knee faces right to create a tripod effect. dropping down on both knees. A solid position is then cre- With the left foot forward and the right knee to the right and ated after rolling out from cover or concealment to engage contacting the ground, the right foot is curled under the butt targets, if needed.

Field kneeling with rest Field braced kneeling

Field Applications ACCURATE IS BEST tanding: In the field, using cover or concealment to nderstand there are many positions and indeed, all protect the rifleman from incoming fire or from being of the positions can be modified to meet the needs seen can modify the standing position. Any structure of the environment. Keep in mind the lower profile Scan also be used to support the firing platform. In U positions reduce the rifleman to smaller target for field use it’s often wise to lower the right elbow to keep from the threat, and that’s always a good thing. Just as impor- breaking the planes of corners or cover to keep the rifleman tantly, the size of the group fired is appropriately smaller as from projecting themselves to threats. the rifleman’s head goes closer to the ground, increasing Kneeling: This provides a lower profile which promotes stability. A win-win situation if you ask me. keeping the shooter’s head below cover. It’s advisable to train As always, no position will compensate for failure to look keeping your eyes and head up, but it is NOT a good idea to at the sighting system and that biggest enemy — yanking on stick your head up and over any available cover. the trigger. By applying fundamentals and correct firing Prone: Although not a favorite in training, in the real positions, any cop can get hits on a threat. Stopping a threat world, prone is very popular — especially when rounds are by firing the fewest rounds needed in the shortest amount of flying. Prone also allows the rifle to be fired just about as time, a police officer/rifleman truly becomes an well as it’s going to be with a human attached to it. asset to the department — and to the community. * WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM 33 M-A section 1 2/9/06 2:03 PM Page 34

RESERVES CHARLES E. PETTY

DEDICATION AND PROFESSIONALISM THAT GOES BEYOND PAY. UNPAID SCUT WORK ne of the basic truths of any cade meant they couldn’t go there or volunteer organization is, all of the above. the more you work the The most important of all O more they want you those events was the to work. And for reserve Thanksgiving Day parade. cops, that involves scut The parade began at work the real cops 1300 but we had to don’t want to do. show up at the station I’m sure every at 1000 and at our town has their share assigned posts by of these events; 1100 just to stand parades and street around like lamp- fairs come quickly posts until people to mind. It showed up an hour seemed the city later. Attendance fathers were posi- was mandatory and tively looking for since everyone was excuses to close told that up front, down a bunch of excuses weren’t streets so the accepted. reserves could go There was one out and deal with the other immutable truth: irate motorists. Right, the weather must be the ones who didn’t lousy. A combination of read the paper, listen to snow and freezing rain was the radio, were simply too the rule I guess. No matter stupid to realize the barri- the weather the parade went on.

COOL Versus CRAPPY BEGGING, Assignments SNIVELING & CAJOLERY t never was a problem to find volunteers for the fun ut getting people to work for the non-fun things stuff, but sometimes it was tough to get someone for was often an exercise in political diplomacy, the miserable jobs and it was here I learned one of cajolery and sometimes downright begging. This is I life’s little lessons. When they sew stripes on your Bone of those things you learn by doing for when sleeve or pin bars on your collar the earth continues to they gave me those pretty blue stripes I was immediately wobble happily about its axis. As a patrolman I quickly expected to ﬁll all assignments. Rank in the reserve was learned to turn a deaf ear to a reserve supervisor who told mostly a reward for working plenty of hours and keeping me “you will” do this or that. Of course the other side of your nose clean. It was an opportunity to polish leader- that coin is we wouldn’t belong to a volunteer organization ship skills since everyone shared my low opinion of being unless we wanted to volunteer — sometimes. told what to do. Asking politely was far more effective. Most reserve organizations have some sort of minimum The big question everyone has to answer for themselves monthly hours requirement — ours was 12 — and it was is how much to work. For many reserve cops there’s a difﬁ- considered very poor form not to accomplish that. The cult balancing act between their volunteer work and the administrative side of the organization obsessed over our demands of a real job and private life. I’ve seen it cause mar- individual time sheets. Failure to turn in a time sheet ital problems for things like missing Thanksgiving dinner or seemed to be even worse than wrecking a police car. Of on an even greater scale where the spouse resents the time course the administration used those hours, valued at the spent away from home. I’m sure some reserves work more hourly pay of the lowest patrolman, to tell the chief and hours so they can get away from an unpleasant situation at assorted city wheels, the contribution in dollars we made home, but most do it because of the personal satisfaction the every month. Actually it turned out to be hundreds of thou- job gives. They’re just like me and enjoy the company of sands of dollars on an annual basis — everyone went cops and if they happen to be able to around patting themselves on the back. jail a dirtbag that’s a nice bonus. * 34 AMERICAN COP • MARCH/APRIL 2006 M-A section 1 2/9/06 2:03 PM Page 35 M-A section 1 2/9/06 3:56 PM Page 36

CARRYOPTIONS MARK HANTEN

FROM HOLSTERS TO HAVERSACKS. Bianchi AccuMold Elite y personal favorite for duty gear is nylon equipment like Bianchi’s AccuMold, but many agencies don’t allow this for patrol use. Some only allow nylon for specialized assign- M ments like bikes, boats or dogs. Despite its obvious improvements on comfort, the rub with some (mostly those who don’t wear duty gear often) is it doesn’t look as “professional” as leather or simulated leather equipment. Bianchi’s AccuMold Elite series of duty gear is high-quality equipment made for professionals. Elite comes in three finishes including plain, basketweave and high-gloss. The holsters are precision fit to a number of guns and they offer a full line of cop accessories too. It looks very “leather like,” and shines up nicely with an Armor- All type coating. It’s also much lighter and more comfortable than leather or most other synthetics. In a side-by-side comparison of identically equipped gun belts, leather and Accumold Elite, the Elite rig weighed exactly half as much. Lithe, Silky, Velvety And Blithe verall, it’s about the comfort and I really like the way this Bianchi Accu- O Mold gear feels. But I was having a little trouble describing exactly what I mean by “how it feels.” So I went to my editor to elicit his sage advice. I confided, “I’m having a little Comfort trouble describing why I like this AccuMold Elite stuff so much. Can I use words like smooth, airy and supple in American COP?” and Stability “NO!” he bellowed. “It’s Amer- ican COP not American Hair Stylist. hen worn with Bianchi’s 1.5" nylon Liner Belt, the system is as com- Are you a sissy or what?” fortable as any nylon rig out there. The Liner Belt has a “hook” tex- I told him, “My arms are kinda ture on the outside, and the Duty Belt has a “loop” texture on the long and I like to wear my duty gun in W inside. This adds to the security of the rig, enabling it to stay in place a drop holster. But when I sit in my with only an occasional well-placed keeper. With the “loop” texture on the Duty car, the bottom of the holster is pushed Belt side, it doesn’t destroy your uniform pants. This was an early problem with up by the seat and it pushes up on my belt systems and you could always tell the cops who had one of these new fangled duty belt, which in turn, pinches, things because their pants suffered from fuzzy belt loops. gouges and tears into my flesh. This In talking with some of the patrol officers, I got a similar response regarding the AccuMold Elite stuff doesn’t.” comfort of the gear. The one drawback I heard from a few is the finish isn’t quite as “Get away from me,” he said. durable on some equipment receiving tough wear, like where the holster rides “What a wuss — if they wanted against the seatbelt buckle. For myself, I currently insist on wearing a holster that police duty gear to be comfortable accommodates a gun with a light mounted on it. Bianchi is working on holsters for they wouldn’t have made it out of light-mounted guns, but they’re not quite there yet so I wear the Safariland holster leather in the first place. Now leave.” with Elite belt and accessories. The durability of the majority of the AccuMold Whoa, that was easier than Elite equipment seems to be very good and definitely looks professional. I thought it was going to be. *

36 AMERICAN COP • MARCH/APRIL 2006 M-A section 1 2/10/06 10:27 AM Page 37

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E.C.Q.S

ou’ve all heard the statistic; 50 percent of all police shootings occur at a distance of 0' to 5' from the suspect. Instructors recite it to students like passing on the Grim Reaper’s phone number. It’s been called “in the hole” and “death’s doorstep” but in reality, it’s Ywhere cops work. It shouldn’t surprise you that this is where the majority of our armed confrontations occur. To be efficient, we must make close human contact — there’s no avoiding it. Taking suspects into custody requires hands-on contact. Can you imagine the complaints if you tried to stand back 30 feet when you make contact with a cit- izen? “Sir, I need you to take your driver’s license out of your wallet and throw it back to me. Yes, I know I’m pretty far away, but I’m keeping a safe distance in the event you attack me.” Yeah, that would go over big. Extreme Close Quarter Shooting (ECQS) is all the rage in firearms training these days. It was ignored for decades as to do it safely is hard. Now it’s the new darling with every instructor trying to make a buck. It’s “something new” and it has cool initials. The only initials I hear more is CQB — please, I think I’m going to puke. Let me clue in all of you instructors and students of the Demons of Darkness, Ninjas of Doom, Delta Force, Navy SEAL, Force Recon, CQB, ECQS, CQC, XYZ “disciplines.” Everything worth knowing about defensive firearms training has been invented — we know it already. Quit trying to come up with something new to sell to the masses and let’s focus on getting good at what works. Time And Distance When it comes to EQCS, or “Close In Shooting” (not very sexy, is it?) the skills needed aren’t complex regardless of what some “expert” says. They involve fighting — not necessarily with a gun. We must close on suspects and citizens in order to do our jobs. Don’t be surprised; this is where you’ll be attacked. If we’re within the grasping distance of our opponent,

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it’s probably not wise to introduce a firearm into a deteriorating situation. We’ll need to create time, distance or both from our attacker to make our gun a useful tool. We will have to hit our attacker. But, agencies are more interested in reducing liability through “subject control” programs than teaching cops to fight. I can’t remember actually using an arm-bar take down, but I’ve hit a lot of people. Why? It’s easier and requires little training. Fighting requires us to attack the attacker; not withdraw but engage, move toward or into the opponent. It’s beyond the comfort level for many people; most want to move away from a threat. But, it’s not what our opponent expects. It makes it harder for them to generate enough power to seriously hurt you. If a person takes a swing at you, is the punch likely to hurt more if you back away or move inside the arm being swung? We must be willing to fight empty handed until we can create enough distance and or time to employ a firearm. It requires us to aggressively move into and over our opponent in order to pre- ness, but the instructor, knowing what I vail in a close-quarter fight. do, pointed at me and said, “See something wrong here?” Striking And Shooting “Why don’t you put on the suit and Some call this “Shove and Shoot.” attack me?” I asked. With a smile on his I’ve been told it won’t work in a real face and a chip on his shoulder he did. fight. I once took a training course from He charged me screaming and yelling an instructor who was demonstrating and I instituted a shove and shoot, how various ECQS techniques didn’t except I shoved my hand up under his work. The shove and shoot was one of chin, lifting his feet off the ground and them. He put a student in a FIST suit and depositing him flat on his ass. Then I told him to charge. The instructor shoved shot him with an Airsoft gun — several his arm into the student’s well-protected times. I probably shouldn’t have but the chest while he tried to draw his gun. smug asshole deserved it. Needless to say, the student ran right After catching his breath, he said he over him — it’s simply physics. should sue me and it wasn’t “training I was going to mind my own busi- safe” and besides, it wouldn’t work in a real fight. Really? You can’t prove it by me, I’ve used the move on three occasions on the streets and it worked each time — and I am not a skilled fighter. We teach something similar by having cops strike the chest, which is safer — then we proclaim the shove and shoot doesn’t work. Hmmm? Where the head goes the body fol- lows. If you can get your off hand under the suspect’s chin, up his nose, in his points, the neck and centerline of the eyes or just smash his face in general, body. If the body is pushed on either it’ll likely give you the time you need to shoulder, it’ll pivot. Benner advocates a draw a gun. People have a hard time maneuver similar to the shove and shoot attacking if they can’t see or breathe. A but instead of striking the chest, the hammer fist on the nose has a tendency shoulder is the target. It can be done to to alter one’s desire to continue, too. the attacker’s weapon side, spinning them away but latch on to the arm pre- Pivoting And Shooting senting the greatest threat. You must be This doesn’t mean you pivot, it willing to drive into your opponent. means you strike the suspect in such a I first saw this technique taught by way that they pivot. It takes them off Greg Ellifritz, a Columbus, Ohio area line enough for you to use a gun. John cop and one of the finest hand-to-hand Benner of the Tactical Defense Institute and knife-skills instructors I’ve worked developed the technique. It takes advan- with. During a close-quarter attack, an tage of the body’s two natural pivot Continued on page 64

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The FN Five-seveN IsIs TinyTiny Still ToughToughStill ??

he FN penetrate over 5.7x28 car- 12" of gelatin. tridge, and the The bullet was classi- guns that shoot it were fied as armor piercing and sale introduced ﬁrst to military and law was, and is, restricted to military and law Tenforcement in the late 1990s. FN Herstal has always been a enforcement. It’s easily identified with a major player in military hardware. Development of the car- magnet, and the original ammo is labelled the tridge was based on the premise the modern battleﬁeld was SS190. Standing beside our .223 the cartridge is going to be populated by enemy troops wearing body armor. a miniature — only 1.6" long. There would be a need for a cartridge to defeat that armor, along with compact weapons suitable for use by support troops. Hardware The cartridge became the 5.7x28 which is a small center- The weapons developed to fire it were the fire .22 caliber firing a 31 grain bullet. The projectile has a P-90 submachine gun and the Five-seveN copper plated steel jacket with a two part core of steel and pistol. The P-90 is an extremely compact and aluminum. At a velocity of 2,300 fps it would zip through cleverly designed buzzgun firing at a rate of conventional flak jackets and even level IIIA vests with about 900 rounds per minute. It empties the ease. But the core composition with uneven weight distribu- 50-round magazine in no time, but is virtually tion made the bullet relatively unstable. So, it would rarely recoil free. The pistol is a polymer frame,

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CHARLES E. PETTY PHOTOS: ICHIRO NAGATA

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TheThe FNFN Five-seveNFive-seveN M-A section 2a 2/9/06 2:08 PM Page 43 M-A section 2a 2/9/06 2:08 PM Page 44

SPECIFICATIONS HANDGUN: FN Five-SeveN MANUFACTURER: FN Herstal IMPORTER: FN-H USA MECHANISM TYPE: delayed blowback MATERIAL: steel/polymer CALIBER: 5.7x28 OVERALL LENGTH: 8.2" BARREL LENGTH: 4.9" WEIGHT: 21 oz. MAGAZINE CAPACITY: 20+1 TRIGGER: single action 6 lb. 4 oz. SIGHTS: adjustable GRIPS: polymer

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delayed blowback, DAO design with a 20-round magazine. It too is nearly recoilless. FN then began working with Hornady to develop a conventional lead core bullet suitable for general sale. The result is a 40-gr. HP design classified by ATF as “non armor piercing.” There are three variations available to the civilian market, identified as SS192, SS195 and SS196. This opened the door to commercial sales and the first is a civilian version: the Five-seveN IOM or “Tactical” model. The most striking difference is the civilian model is a single-action firing mechanism. The most notable thing about the earlier version was the singularly most awful trigger pull I’ve ever felt on a polymer pistol. So, this is a vast improvement. Everything else is very much the same, and in fairness the trigger was intentionally heavy because of military use. Since it’s a There is some pretty clever stuff single-action here. At first look, the impression is it pistol there’s also has a polymer slide. That’s not cor- actually a rect. Instead, there’s a molded shell fit- hammer con- ting over a conventional steel slide. For tained within an practical purposes, eliminating con- assembly held in cerns about finish wear. Since operation by two pins. This is delayed blowback the barrel does not also provides the rear tip, so there’s no need for a complex slide rails. Another steel barrel locking mechanism. unit at the front provides the The barrel also serves as a recoil barrel seat and takedown mecha- an ambidextrous spring guide and a simple lock-ring nism. There is an obligatory Picatinny safety just above the trigger holds the spring captive and engages a rail on the dust cover to handle popular pivot pin. When your trigger finger radiused surface at the front of the slide. light or laser devices. indexes along the side of the frame it This serves to center the barrel and pro- The frame is nicely shaped, textured can easily push the safety down into the vide support at the front. There’s a and has a reversible mag catch. Since fire position. The safety blocks the metal rail inside the dust cover of the the double-stack magazine holds 20 trigger bar from moving and there is frame engaging a slot in the slide, stabi- rounds the frame is necessarily rather also a passive firing pin safety that lifts lizing the slide at the front. wide. I don’t find it uncomfortable at all as the trigger is pulled. Inside, the frame looks like most although the girth might be an issue for The magazine is molded polymer polymer frames until you look closely. shooters with very small hands. There’s Continued on page 65

WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM 45 M-A section 2a 2/9/06 2:08 PM Page 46 DoDo WeWe ReallyReally NeedNeed SWAT?? Yes No Maybe

here’s an old police adage that goes: “When land defense, as well as the possible need for law enforcement citizens are in trouble, they call the police. responses to scenarios like the New Orleans debacle, SWAT When the police are in trouble, they call may be more vital now than it has been for the last 40 years. SWAT.” There can be no question of the positive contributions made during the almost 40- The Problems T year history of the concept of SWAT. From A major consideration is the flat-out fact most SWAT Whitman, at the Texas Tower in the 1960s to the Miami FBI teams don’t maintain a full-time, 24/7 presence on the shooting and the ATF incident at Waco, the tactical founda- street. The time for the “gathering of personnel” for a call- tions of SWAT have been paid for with blood. out ranges from minutes to hours — often favoring the With current trends and planning requirements in home- longer time over the shorter one. In a recent incident in

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Clint Smith Photos: Robbie Barkman

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Salem, Oregon at the courthouse in haps more importantly, the environ- nonexistent active shooter program, the downtown area, the time for the ment SWAT was being asked to could have made a significant differ- SWAT team to be in place to start deploy in. Rather than grasping — ence. Many find it’s often easy to working as a team was 30 minutes. and maybe more importantly, admit- pass judgment on a situation where Which for most, is pretty fast. ting — some situations are much they were not present. Should we One of the major public criticisms more complex than others, the quick- look at these incidents, indeed at all of the Columbine school incident was to-spout spewed out “Active Shooter” incidents, and critique and learn from the length of time it took officers to as a solution. them? Absolutely. The key words be in place to clear the library. In my Being reasonably knowledgeable here are “critique and learn.” Then opinion this criticism was unfounded about this incident, I’m not sure offi- we need to disseminate, train, then based on the type of incident and, per- cers trained up to speed on a then, change training and equipment and

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only then will we go forward smarter. are often hesitant to turn the thing off and sorts things out, the camera is Otherwise, we’re destined to repeat the leash. Think about it. already rolling when the “dog” is let our mistakes. In defense of the admin guys, they off-leash. often either don’t have, or want to This can be good if everything done Admin. Vs. SWAT spend the money it takes to have an by SWAT is done well. Then again, the The administrators of law enforce- effective team. And, they especially media can document the “round-robin” ment are torn in several directions by don’t want an often video-recorded gunfights made famous on television the concept of SWAT. Administrators gunfight. If it takes time for the team showing SWAT surrounding and — on occasion — need SWAT. But for to respond, that also allows the media hosing down a moving vehicle in a res- them SWAT sort of compares to a bad to arrive and set up. Often beating the idential area. This is usually discour- dog. Administrators want them, but SWAT in place. Once SWAT arrives aging to see on the evening news, and

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in fact is a dangerous goat fornication. to stand in front of the camera and works and what you can do. Keep in All of which is neatly documented on answer all the questions. Meanwhile, mind who controls your funding. ﬁlm. Perfect. the SWAT guys are cleaning guns and Keep your friends close and your ene- Sometimes, hard-earned public reloading magazines at the gym. mies closer! Just kidding. good will is thrown away in the burst Another subtle point to remember Another important point is to con- of an MP5. Of course SWAT guys may is too many administrators don’t sider taking your local media though a say, “The asshole had it coming.” really know what SWAT does — training evolution sometime. It’s worth There’s no argument on my part. As a much less how they do it. Even its weight in video tape someday. matter of fact the suspects more often worse, they often won’t admit it. than not have it coming. For the most Here’s a thought, take admin guys SWAT Vs. Street Cops part, however, most administrators do through some of your training and After teaching ﬁrearms and tactics to want SWAT, but the buffed out guys in show them your limitations, your cops, including SWAT guys, for the last camo need to remember someone has abilities, your potential, how the stuff Continued on page 70

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Jeremy D. Clough The Care and Feeding of Unethical Defense Attorneys

irst, let’s make a distinction. There are defense Only one thing brings a Weasel slinking to the door of attorneys who represent their clients ethically your precinct: getting his client off. Expect any defense ensuring their Constitutional rights are protected lawyer to interview you before trial. Assuming you’ve made and there are Weasels: unscrupulous lawyers a solid case, he’ll first test your resolve in prosecuting his whose only goal is acquittal, even if it means client. Hold the line, even if he begs, and even if he tries to lying,F suborning perjury, or destroying evidence. Their god bully you with his knowledge of the law, or what he wants is money and notoriety; they know not justice. you to think the law is. His best-case scenario is to get you An honest cop has nothing to fear from an honest to drop or reduce the charges. defense attorney because their only goal is to ensure DUI lawyers, for example, will frequently offer to plead you’ve done your job right. But facing the Weasel — an their clients to the lower charge of Reckless with the same sen- unctuous, loathsome creature clad in seersucker and lizard- tence as a DUI, which is great, except the guy gets away skin shoes — requires special skills. without a DUI conviction. In my state, punishment gets worse

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you’re talking to will one day have you on cross-examination. He has an obligation to use every possible tool to defend his client, regardless of how betrayed you might feel when that tool is something you thought you were sharing in confidence. Which brings us to the funda- mental difference between The State (which includes you) and the defense. We have the burden of proof, and we’re asking the jury to send a man to prison. For a jury to believe in our case enough to do that, they’ve got to believe in us first. The jury doesn’t have to believe in the defendant to acquit him: they only have to disbelieve us. Let that sink in. In short, the defense attorney has more freedom to be a jerk than we do, and that’s what you can expect, especially during cross-examination. Cross has been called the greatest truth-seeking device ever invented, but that’s overly optimistic. Cross is where you question the other side’s wit- nesses. It’s where the lawyer gets to testify by asking leading questions. “Wait,” you ask, “a leading question suggests the answer you’re looking for, right?” Cor- rect. They usually begin with one of the following: “Isn’t it true …” “Wouldn’t you agree … ” “So it’s fair to say …” They’re designed to get a simple “yes” or “no” answer. Lawyers are trained to get a witness into a pattern of answering “yes” and then lead the witness into more treach- erous ground, once he’s condi- with every DUI; get three in ﬁve years, response to this: once he’s hauled the tioned to agree with the lawyer. Listen you’re declared a “Habitual Violator,” guy, he no longer has a dog in the closely to what the lawyer is trying to and driving at all during the next five fight, and it’s up to the DA. Trans- get you to say. Don’t get lulled in to a years is a five-year felony. It’s a great lated through the “Weasel Filter,” that pattern, and even though the Weasel law, and many states have similar sen- meant he didn’t care. Every time one may demand that you give a “yes” or tence-enhancement provisions for things of his defendants came up for trial, “no” answer, explain your answer if like domestic violence and weapons my phone rang, and I’d hear that you need to. charges. But without a prior conviction, whining voice: “Well, I talked to Regardless of the answer, though, you never get there. Think of it in terms Malone, and…” sometimes the point is made by the of building the guy’s criminal record. Eventually, we figured it out, but question itself. My favorite example If the case is already out of your even then, once I’d given the no-go to comes from a bond hearing where the hands, the Weasel may next want you the defense attorney, my boss got the defense attorney — not knowing that to ask the DA to drop or reduce it. same call. So be clear: “If the DA his client, accused of child molesta- Any weakness in your position will wants to drop it, there’s nothing I can tion, was a repeat offender — called a lead to my phone ringing, and a do, but I made a good case, and I’m character witness. In my cross-exami- whining voice will say: “Well, I was bringing it forward.” Much better. nation, I asked her, “So, were you talking to your officer this week, and aware that in September of that year, he wants you to drop it.” Cross Examination Tricks the defendant ﬂed the state after being One of our deputies has a great You should never forget the person accused of forcibly anally sodomizing

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his own two daughters?” lawyer is, we don’t get to be jerks. The whole hearing was determined Not in court. by that question. Similarly, if you’ve Answer the question said anything to the Weasel that you’re asked. If you’re weakens your case, this is where it not sure what it is, comes back to haunt you. Example: pause, think, or ask “Officer, didn’t you try to drop these for clarification. charges against my client?” You may not “Haven’t you told other people, get it; I’ve Deputy, you only stopped my client seen lawyers because you were bored?” just repeat And another low blow: “But isn’t the question, it true you don’t want my client to go but that to prison?” makes them That last question came from a case look bad — where the defendant, barely an adult, not you. pulled a knife on the officer. He went to Another prison anyway. great Weasel The good news is an attorney is Repellent is required to have a “good-faith basis” to the post-ques- ask a question like that — they’ve got to tion pause. If a have a good reason to believe it’s true. question is proper, Precious few lawyers will make some- you have to answer it. thing up out of thin air; you have to have But if it’s one of those already given them something to work things you can’t talk with. If you’ve stated your case accu- about in court, it’s the rately, there’s nowhere for them to go. DA’s job to keep the Example: question from being in a DUI case, who “Isn’t it true, Officer, that you told answered or asked explained that he used his handheld me you had to stop my client for DUI again. This is done by objecting, but a Alco-Sensor instead of another officer’s, because he waved his beer at you when DA has to have time to stand up and because no one else’s was approved for you passed him in your patrol car?” object before you answer. If you think road use. He mistakenly thought this See? It just doesn’t have that pro- something’s fishy, give him a second to strengthened his case, and went on and defendant ring to it. object before you answer. on. The judge rolled his eyes, the Weasel looked delighted, and I gave the officer Stick To What You Know Shut Up my State-Issued Death Stare. “So, Generally, lawyers look for incon- If you find yourself on the stand and deputy,” the Weasel asks, “does your sistency on cross. Lawyers talk for a suddenly notice you’re talking while department routinely issue equipment living, so they listen pretty well, too. the defense attorney leans quietly on they know isn’t approved for use?” And Even a little discrepancy can let them the podium, listening intently — shut now he can expect to be subpoenaed in pry your credibility wide open. Stick up. If he’s letting you every other DUI case this lawyer gets, to to what you know. If you remember talk, you’re helping testify that his department’s Alco- something that’s not in your report, be his client. Sensors are no good. prepared to admit you forgot. Lying or For a very So don’t give the defense any- losing your temper is minor example, thing extra to work with. Cross is never an option. No there’s the deputy about discrediting you, and get- matter how rude a ting you to make the bad guy’s case. Get ready to be flipped off by the defendant as he skips down the steps of the courthouse. Honest, cautious answers, before and during trial, severely limit how much the defense can use you. It also helps to know the defense attorneys you deal with, by reputation if not personally, so you know who can be trusted. When you don’t know that, know this: at the end of all things, it really is about us versus them — and remember that when you’re talking to one of them. *

Special thanks to Sgt. Mike Pierce, UCSO, and Jeff Langley, Chief ADA, Enotah Circuit.

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II bowbow toto thosethose whowho “cancan shoot 14 suspects or more without having to grab a fresh magazine — assuming of course the officer has time to shoot 14 people and the semiauto doesn’t suddenly stop.

eing a revolver man who’d love to carry curve. All pretty dismal prospects I confess. So, being ”an eight-shot Smith & Wesson .357 unable to ignore mathematical reality, I bow to those who magnum revolver on duty, I’ll neverthe- can shoot 14 suspects or more without having to grab a Bless concede the issue of capacity to my fresh magazine — assuming of course the officer has time semiauto opponents. I realize my handgun to shoot 14 people and the semiauto doesn’t suddenly choice limits me in dramatic fashion. Being able to shoot stop, thus unexpectedly becoming a two or five shooter. only eight suspects before having to reload is indeed wor- Now we must decide which is most important and why. risome. Perhaps shooting a mere four bad guys twice each Is it reliability or capacity? I suggest we remember the sta- or, maybe two troublemakers only four times apiece tistical average for police shoot-outs shows, a total of two before reloading definitely puts me behind the power or three rounds are fired in our deadly encounters. And,

54 AMERICAN COP • MARCH/APRIL 2006 M-A section 2a 2/9/06 2:09 PM Page 55 — You Choose -vs- AutosJimmy Johnson

yes, I know we should train beyond capacity on the other side. There’re fied Non-Expert! But for what it’s the statistical averages — but how other important considerations too and worth, I’ve been shooting on police far? If going bang with every pull of we’ll get to them, but let’s get this one gun ranges since 1973 and shot a few the trigger is less important to you over with once and for all. Which is bazillion rounds through revolvers in than cramming a box of ammo into a most important, reliability or capacity, the early years and semiautos in this magazine, then make your choice. and why so? modern age of decline (mine and the When the fight comes right down to Criminal Justice System’s). No the ground, the two most common and Multitude Vs. Two person’s opinion, claim or questionable fiercely contested points are revolver So you’ll know where I’m coming statistics, and no gun manufacturer’s reliability on one side and semiauto from, I freely admit to being a Certi- Continued on page 68

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Brian Dawe Photos: Dave Douglas

ike most kids growing up, I often spent days with my nomic necessity, after a military career, or as a stepping-stone friends playing cowboys and Indians, soldier, to other more “respected” careers in law enforcement. fireman, and cops and robbers. Never once can I Most of what the public believes about Correctional Offi- recall locking my friends in the basement and playing cers comes from old Cagney movies, ridiculous and brutal Correctional Officer. In fact, after 23 years in correc- shows like HBO’s “OZ,” or the highly popular “Prison tionsL I can honestly say I’ve never met anyone who planned to Break.” We’re often portrayed as crueler than the inmates become a Correctional Officer. I believe it’s one of the reasons themselves. Some malicious “guard’ or unscrupulous my profession is one of the most misunderstood and under warden is the ultimate bad guy. The only movie I’ve seen in appreciated in the nation. We often come to it by way of eco- the past 30 years coming close to an accurate portrayal was

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Is it any wonder we have the second highest “mortality rate of any occupation in the nation” ...

“The Green Mile.” Even then the most despicable person was a Correctional Officer. It’s sadly ironic, only in a story written by the nation’s premiere horror writer, in someone’s worst nightmare, are we portrayed as the “good guys.” Our parents taught us to respect the police, admire our firefighters and honor the military. No one ever mentioned how we should feel about Correc- tional Officers, except of course Hollywood and the headline- all the citizens are felons, we go to over 20 percent of the Officers assaulted seeking media. work everyday — unarmed, under- required medical attention. How loud manned, ill equipped and often inade- would the public outcry be if only one Would You Do This? quately trained. in 10 assaults on our city streets, where Rather than being looked upon as Each year over 33,000 Correctional the assailant was clearly identified, were the doormat in the law enforcement Officers are assaulted. In the last year prosecuted? What would morale be like matrix, we should be hailed as the records were released on the prosecu- in our police departments if only one in backbone. The men and women doing tion rates of those assaults, only 10.9 10 assaults of our cops were prose- our job are heroes. In a society where percent resulted in prosecutions. Yet cuted? What would our communities be

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like if the criminal element knew they had only a one in 10 chance of being prosecuted, even if we knew who they were and could prove they committed the assault? The number and severity of the assaults behind the walls has dramatically increased in the past decade. In the past six years, 47 of our brothers and sisters tion is infected with Hepatitis C. occupation in the nation, or on average have died in the line of duty. With con- As a result of budget cuts and the our last birthday is our 58th, and we tinued overcrowding, understafﬁng and closing of many state mental institu- have a 39 percent higher risk of suicide more violent gang members being tions, over 200,000 inmates now in our than any other profession? You’d think incarcerated, it will only continue to get care suffer from major depression and it couldn’t get much worse — it does. worse. But, assaults aren’t the only the National Commission on Correc- problem we face. tional Health estimates anywhere from What Are They Thinking? Behind the walls, the AIDS/HIV 22,000 to 44,000 are schizophrenic. One of the most depressing issues rate is over three times higher than on facing my profession today, and one the streets. The Bureau of Justice Sta- Getting Gassed that illustrates just how far we still have tistics reported in 2003 there were Yet everyday over 400,000 of us to go, is a lack of recognition and 23,659 inmates testing positive for punch the clock and go to work in our respect from our own brothers and sis- HIV and 6,000 confirmed cases of nation’s hellholes. At some facilities ters in the law enforcement community. full-blown AIDS. Yet in many juris- raincoats are standard issue “behind In Colorado, the Law Enforcement dictions Officers are denied access to the walls” to protect from being Memorial Committee refuses to allow inmate medical histories — even after “gassed.” In prison parlance, being the names of Correctional Officers coming in contact with bodily fluids “gassed” is when an inmate combines killed in the line of duty on the law while performing their job. From urine, feces, semen, vomit, mucus, enforcement memorial wall. What hap- 1996 to 2001 we saw a 958 percent blood and whatever other bodily fluid pened? Did the inmates suddenly increase in the number of inmates they can collect and throws it in our become good guys when they went to with TB, and currently it’s estimated faces. Is it any wonder we have the jail? The same convicts that murder over 25 percent of the inmate popula- second highest mortality rate of any Continued on page 67

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Mark Hanten Con ight tr l ol F

hanks to Federal Ammu- nition, the shotgun has once again become a tool you canT look to as a force option that maxi- mizes your firepower and doesn’t cause undue risk to the public. One of the biggest fears we have with the 00-Buck loaded shotgun is the spread of the shot will become wider than the intended target allowing errant .32 caliber projectiles to endanger innocent bystanders — it’s already happened. I’m very much an optimist, but also a realist. I know when bad guys shoot into crowds, the projectiles somehow weave their way safely through the crowd and find a soft, non-lethal place to land. When the police inadvertently let a round bypass the intended target, the projectile generally careens off untold surfaces like a complicated pool table trick shot, and finds the most innocent victim available extin- guishing their life. Errant buckshot pellets killing bystanders is aftermarket very real and very disturbing. To the point some agencies remedies to help tighten remove the shotgun as a force option rather than be faced with the pattern size of 00-Buck are quite successful. Due to lim- the potential for this scenario to play itself out again. ited application of the weapon, some departments shy away The problem with giving up the shotgun altogether is from the cost associated with custom gunsmithing. And it sometimes we need all the firepower we can get. A well- does have a limited application. Even the most ardent shotgun trained cop with a 12 gauge and 00-Buck can really throw supporter will admit it isn’t the tool to take to every call. some lead. They can direct it very accurately dominating an adversary and putting a quick end to what could other- Thank You Federal Ammunition wise be a lengthy gunfight. In their attempt to find a way to tighten the pattern on For years, tactical experts have recognized the inherent 00-Buck loads, Federal Ammunition teamed up with an risk of the rapid spread of 00-Buckshot patterns. A few independent company that developed a new wad design

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reducing the spread of 00-Buck shot. loads with conventional wads as well, Basically, these are stock police shot- They named the new wad the “FLITE- including one BallistiClean load fea- guns and the performance of these CONTROL Wad.” It’s a relatively turing frangible non-toxic pellets and a tests should be consistent with what simple idea and it works great. The non-toxic primer. you’d find on similar stock guns. wad has a deeper cup without the To test the patterns, I shot four shots petals that peel back through the air The Proof Is In The Targets each with both Federal’s regular Tactical causing them to separate from the shot The first time I shot Federal’s new 00-Buck load and their new Tactical 00- and frequently disrupt the shot string. Tactical Buckshot load with the FLITE- Buck load with the FLITECONTROL Instead, the FLITECONTROL wad CONTROL Wad was at a department Wad from each gun. I ﬁred the test shots has slits cut into the rear area, which qualification shoot and I was stunned. at distances of 15 and 25 yards. The causes a small surface of the wad to results were consistent throughout the act as an air break when it clears test. The patterns fired with Fed- the barrel. The minimal eral’s new FLITECON- breaking of the wad TROL Wad were all

is carefully con- tighter than the trolled by the length other patterns. and placement of the slits. The objective is to keep the shot The Bottom Line string together for a significant dis- Federal’s new FLITECONTROL tance, gradually slowing the wad I’ve shot a myriad of different 00-Buck Wad has dramatically tightened patterns down to allow the shot to continue on loads through all kinds of tactical shot- on 00-Buck loads. At 25 yards, I shot without being disrupted. So sensitive guns and not seen this kind of tight pat- five shots into a human shaped target and is the balance between slowing the tern. As soon as I shot it, I started all of the pellets hit within the body area wad too much, and not slowing it working on gathering some of the and all but seven of the 40 pellets were enough, that each of Federal’s tactical ammo and a couple of different shot- within the 10-point area. At 15 yards, I loads requires a FLITECONTROL guns to conduct testing just to confirm shot five shots into another human Wad with different slitting, carefully what I saw at the range hadn’t been shaped target and all the pellets were designed to maximize the perfor- some kind of fluke. well within the 10-point area. Both of mance of the load. For one of the shotguns, I used my these five-shot groups were shot with the trusty old Benelli M1 Super 90. This Remington 870P, which has a slightly The Tactical Line gun has a 21" barrel with a cylinder wider pattern spread of the two shotguns Federal has three new tactical loads choke and no aftermarket barrel work I used for this article. This type of perfor- using the FLITECONTROL Wad. done to constrict the pattern. The mance was previously only available to Included in the new line are eight- other shotgun is a standard Remington those willing to spend hundreds of dol- pellet and nine-pellet “low recoil” 870P police model with an 18" barrel lars to modify their shotguns. Today it’s loads with a muzzle velocity of 1,145 and an improved cylinder choke. It available to anyone who buys a box of fps and a nine-pellet “full power” load had a few modifications done by Scat- Federal’s new Tactical 00-Buck for semiauto shotguns, which has a tergun Technologies, but none with the FLITECONTROL Wad. * muzzle velocity of 1,325 fps. Federal affected the interior of the barrel, the continues to offer numerous buckshot choke, or the way the gun patterns. For info: www. federalpremium.com.

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I don’t mean to sound“ like a smart ass Rob Leatham” I’M NOT A COP, BUT… Who Wants To Be In A Fair Gunfight?

’m sort of the odd man out at American COP Magazine to think or analyze and hardly any time to act. — I’m not and never have been a cop. I’m a competition When it’s “go time” you’ll do the best you can. I certainly shooter and firearms instructor; a student of weaponry. hope it’s enough. But just in case, let’s acquire an unfair I I’m not qualified to preach tactics or deadly force so I’ll advantage. Who wants to be in a fair gunfight anyway? I want focus on developing skills. Hopefully, they’ll allow you, it won before it even starts. Proper tactics and good sense may while under stress, to quickly and accurately use the weapon help you avoid it. But if that’s not an option, I want to be the you carry — after all, that’s what it’s really all about. smartest and most decisive contestant — and the most skilled. Let’s compare a deadly encounter with a shooting match. Hitting A Target Isn’t Complicated There are similarities. You’re under stress; must perform on You align the gun with the target and stay that way until demand and want to “win.” Excuses get you nothing. When the bullet leaves the barrel. Now isn’t that simple? The extra- the clock’s ticking you’ll make mistakes that wouldn’t ordi- neous factors you’re expected to perform are the problem. narily occur. These are the normal conditions for both situa- Other than the slack-jawed mouth breather pointing a gun at tions — except multiplied by a zillion in a real gunfight. The you, time’s your biggest adversary. If you had all day to reason I miss in competition is because I’m not properly engage an opponent you’d never miss. But, you’ll never have prepared to complete a given task in the allotted time. I enough time. When the shit hits the fan, you’ll have no time Continued on page 73

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Ernest Emerson I Told You Illustrations: Charlie Inot To Do! Things We Do Without Even Realizing

o matter who you are, or how many years you have under your belt, there are times when you let your guard down without even knowing it. Now, I’m going to assume you N know my Golden Rule: “Every Suspect is always armed — always,” because it’s the premise “right” things who, by all accounts, are switched on while which we’re going to build upon in this discussion. they’re doing their job. If every suspect is armed then why would you ever let your guard down when dealing with one? Because, as I Looks Can Be Deceiving stated in the beginning, you don’t even know you’re doing Now, this may appear obvious, but we all fall prey to it, to it. I’m not talking about job complacency or a lackadaisical varying degrees, even though you might not want to admit it. attitude. I’m talking about “on-the-ball” cops doing all the Never judge a book by its cover. Yes, a suspect can deﬁnitely

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have a “look” and you should be fully aware of being able to pick a real bad guy out of the pack. However, just because a guy’s clean shaven, well dressed and with no visible tats, should you assume he’s any less of a threat than the obvious felon? Did I mention the bad guy could be a bad girl? Never let your guard down just because someone “looks” innocent. What you don’t expect will get you. Distance Is Your Friend Another common mistake is giving up your safety distance before you’ve taken control of the situation or environment. What’s your safety distance? It may be a hundred feet against a guy holed up in a house. It may be two feet against a guy who just stumbled out of a bar in front of you. Every incident’s different. But, whatever you get, in terms of distance to the suspect, don’t give any ground up unless you consciously decide to. Let’s look at an example; you roll up on a bad guy at 0300 in a real bad neighborhood. You stop him and tell him to go to his knees and lay down. He doesn’t. You’re out of the car and you order him again to get to his knees and lay down. He goes to his knees stances — late night, bad guy, bad letting the circumstance take control. but won’t lay down. Your adrenaline neighborhood? Your emotions have We all fall prey to this last issue. is already up and now you’re getting overruled rational decision-making. Luckily, most suspects aren’t cop angry. “I said lay down!” And you The key word I used was angry. killers. The reason this instance of “let- take several steps toward him. “I told There may be times when you need ting down your guard” is so common, you to lay down!” And you take sev- to approach a suspect to get your is because it’s so subtle. It’s hard for eral more rapid steps toward him. By point across. However, do so only if most of us to realize it’s happening. It now you’re almost on top of the guy you consciously decide to make the occurs when everything appears to be shouting at him. Why would you move. By basing action on emotion, going right, and brings me back to the move closer to a noncompliant sus- in this case anger, you’re reducing title of this discussion. Oh No! You Did pect in obvious suspicious circum- your control and without realizing, What I Told You To Do. The suspect is being compliant with your commands. He may not be an overtly suspicious type and everything just appears to be routine. In this case let’s make him a typical bad guy and you know he’s up to no good. You just know he’s armed, (Golden Rule) but he’s been compliant so far. You’re very switched on, hyper-aware, your gun’s drawn and at low ready. His hands are in his pockets and you tell him to slowly remove them. He pulls a pistol out and shoots you square in the chest. How did this happen? It happens, and has happened, because of several obvious factors. He’s a bad guy with a gun; he knew he was going to use it and did so. It caused you to react to his actions — it’s a race you’ll never win. But there’s one other subtle set of circumstances taking place. He’s doing what you told him to do. You may have originally ordered him to “don’t move,” which he did. Then you Continued on page 66

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NEED TO BE WILLING Continued from page 39

attacker may go for your gun, try to stab or slash or strike you with an impact weapon. Greg advocates grabbing on to the arm used for this, keeping the attacker under some a degree of control, keeping them away from your gun and creating enough time and distance to draw your sidearm. I’ve seen Greg instruct and use this technique at full speed and it offers impressive results. But you must have the necessary will- ingness and commitment. Falling And Shooting This just doesn’t seem like a good idea. While it offers a distraction, what’s the cost? You’ve placed yourself on the ground, on your back with a gun in your hands. You’re not mobile enough to deal with multiple offenders and since attackers often work in num- bers, I think giving up your mobility to distract a single suspect for a few seconds isn’t a wise trade off. There aren’t too many things worse than getting kicked or stomped to death. Stepping And Shooting Try this with another ofﬁcer and see how easy it is to redirect your forward attack while someone side steps. By doing so you will see how futile this move really is. Taking a lateral step while drawing is a sound idea as it does make you a moving target, but a lateral step will not dumbfound someone running in your direction. Magical Mystery Tour? ECQS techniques aren’t mystical and magical, though some want you to think so. They’re techniques any defensive- minded individual can figure out on their own, but they’ll require you to be willing to engage your opponent. Being timid in your response won’t cut it. Grit your teeth, steel your nerves and attack. The ultimate goal is to avoid an ECQ shooting. This means a level of hyper- awareness when working at double arm’s length. Look for attack cues, watch the hands, step back if possible or place an obstacle between you and the LIKE WHAT YOU SEE? suspect. I was real big on interviewing people across the hood of my cruiser and I never received a complaint. Back issues are Stay alert and watch for danger. If attacked, vigorously counterattack. It doesn’t take a lot of skill — just com- still available! mitment. Create time and distance to At REGULAR cover price of $5.95! draw and shoot. Move away as quickly and as far as possible. Understand “close-in” is your world GET THEM ONLINE AT: and it’s likely where you’ll be www.americancopmagazine.com attacked. Practice for it at the range and in the gym. You don’t have to be a OR CALL: 888-732-2299 martial artist. You just need to be willing. * 64 AMERICAN COP • MARCH/APRIL 2006 M-A section 2a 2/9/06 2:10 PM Page 65

THE FN FIVE-SEVEN Continued from page 45

with a baseplate removeable for cleaning. Even when nearing the 20 round capacity the magazine isn’t hard to load — especially since you can position a cartridge in the lips and push straight down. One especially nice touch is the pistol comes with 8LI three magazines. How’s It Work? [SVPH My experience with the earlier models was they were highly reliable and nothing has happened to change that MWE opinion. We test with a variety of different factory loads — that’s not an option here. FN ammunition is the only HMVX] load available but they recently announced an agreement with Fiocchi to manufacture ammunition under license. TPEGI Shooting the Five-seveN is fun. /PIIR&SVI SJJIVW E GSQTPIXI PMRI SJ Average velocity for the SS 195 XEGXMGEP ½VIEVQ GPIERMRK OMXW JSV YWI MR ammo used for this test was 1,996 fps XLI ½IPH SR XLI FIEX SV [LIVIZIV ]SY and rested groups at 25 yds were VYR MRXS HMVX ERH JSYPMRK©XLI IRIQ] always under 2" for 5-shot strings. SJ ]SYV ½VIEVQ )EGL OMX MW HIWMKRIH Recoil is negligible. Since there’s XS FI MRHIWXVYGXMFPI HIWTMXI XLI VMKSVW only one kind of ammo our test SJ XEGXMGEP YWI 7II EPP XLI /PIIR&SVI involved 300 rounds fired over sev- XEGXMGEP MXIQW EX eral different days. There were no stoppages and careful inspection showed no evidence of unusual wear. No cleaning was done between shooting sessions and at the end the pistol was hardly dirty. This ammo is 'JFME,JU quite clean. What’s It Good For? Let’s draw a comparison between the 5.7x28 and 22 Magnum rimfire. Winchester’s catalog kindly tells us their .22 Mag. 40 gr. FMJ or JHP loads will go 1,480 fps from a 6.5" handgun barrel. The SS195 gave 1,996 fps from the 4.9" barrel of the Five-seveN. My earlier work showed the little 5.7 cartridge case was very efficient and this data seems to confirm it. We certainly get more velocity from a slightly shorter barrel but I can’t help but wonder if that’s a tangible benefit in a law enforcement context. I find the cartridge academically very interesting and would love to see what it would do in a lightweight varmint rifle. The P-90 can deliver a high volume of fire with great preci- 5BDUJDBM ,JU sion, which to some would certainly mitigate perceived or real limitations of the ammo. A highly skilled shooter could do the same with the pistol but my suspicion is most would consider it a step down. You can have almost as many rounds in modern plastic 9s and 40s although there might still be a niche for agencies permitted to use the original AP ammo of the FN. * For more info: www.fnhusa.com. WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM 65 M-A section 2a 2/9/06 2:10 PM Page 66

YOU DID WHAT I TOLD YOU Continued from page 63 gave him permission to move. “Take your hands out of your pockets,” or @E8CCP “let me see your hands.” It doesn’t matter. What matters is by giving him permission to move, you’re expecting JLGLE movement and you’re not as likely to react as quickly if the bad guy goes on offense. Without even realizing it :8I<GIF;L:KJ you’ve let your guard down just enough to affect your reaction time in his favor — not yours. K?8KC<8M< Come Over Here Here is another example shown to PFLI]I<8IDJ me by an LAPD gang cop. I had a training gun in my holster. He had me go around the corner of a building. He ^8NC

If you or your partner are in no imme- ^ÊÓääxÊÀÀÊ`}Ã diate threat, slow down and consciously keep your guard up. Now, looking back at this discus- #MVF sion, I want you to imagine how vulnerable you can be without even real- :RQGHU izing it. Just imagine how vulnerable you could be if, heaven forbid, you violated the three principles discussed and you didn’t assume the suspect was armed because he “looked normal.” You may have unwittingly reduced your safety distance because you got pissed off and then you relaxed because the suspect began doing what he was told. How vulnerable do you think you would be then? Unfortunately there are a lot of cops out there doing exactly that. They never saw it coming. Don’t be ZZZEOXHZRQGHUXV one of them. *

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BEHIND THE WALLS LAW ENFORCEMENT Continued from page 58 cops also murder us. Why is it any dif- GRADE SOLVENTS ferent? There are many who believe Correctional Officers aren’t law & LUBRICANTS enforcement officers. Would they be willing to deal with hundreds of con- OUR SPECIALTY! victed murderers, rapists, child moles- ters, gang-bangers and armed robbers CLEAN with nothing but a side-handle baton? MC#7 Weapons Cleaner In the housing unit I worked in Massa- and Conditioner chusetts, I oversaw 44 convicted felons. For protection I had my training, a one- The only one-step concentrated way radio and a pen. In Pennsylvania, formula necessary for cleaning one of the most powerful police organi- and maintaining your arsenal of zations in the nation actively sought, handguns, rifles, shotguns & and indeed helped kill, legislation gasguns. Quickly removes powder, granting Peace Officer status to Penn- carbon, lead, copper and plastic sylvania State Correctional Ofﬁcers. If wad fowling from shotguns. passed, the bill would have meant better training, better equipment and DEGREASE more recognition for those Correctional Polymer Safe Degreaser (P.S.D.) Ofﬁcers. Why the opposition? Harmless to polymers, plastics, My profession has deep respect for rubber and camo finishes. Quickly the police in our communities; it’s flushes away grime and fouling unfortunate this respect is all too often from actions and trigger assemblies not reciprocated. Nevertheless, it’s not without field stripping. Stop lubricating over contaminated lubricants! Degrease before you Being “gassed” is lubricate. LUBRICATE when an inmate FP-10 Lubricant Elite C.L.P. combines urine, The ultimate in semi-synthetic “ technology. FP-10 SIGNIFICANTLY out performs teflon based lubricants, feces, semen, offering extraordinary lubricating performance. It’s also an excellent vomit, mucus, cleaner and protectant. CLP now in blood and whatever one convenient package. other bodily fluid PROTECT S.C. Rust Prevent they can Protect your armory from the elements, moisture displacing collect and throws anti-oxidant Rust Prevent is specifically engineered to preserve it in our faces. all types of gun metals. Get the protection you’re paying for.

all bad news. By the recognition we receive from the National Law Now Available at Enforcement Officers Memorial” Fund Factory Direct Savings! and their Chairman, Craig Floyd, we’re Call for pricing! making progress. The NLEOMF does SPEEDFEED STOCKS ARE DESIGNED recognize and memorialize Correc- Count on Shooter’s Choice for TO PERFORM UNDER PRESSURE AND tional Ofﬁcers killed in the line of duty cutting edge products and HOLD 4 SHELLS FOR QUICK LOADING. each year in Washington, D.C. at their technical assistance, online DEPENDABLE IN ANY SITUATION. annual memorial service. or on the phone. It’s my hope those of you that www.shooters-choice.com (800) 433-2909 • speedfeedinc.com believe Correctional Officers should 800-232-1991 not be included in the law enforcement Since community will take the time to re- 1983 evaluate the position. Please remember ALL SETS CARRY A LIFETIME GUARANTEE. this: we know you catch them, but MADE we’re the ones that keep them. It’s all IN USA MADE IN THE USA. about protecting the public © Armor Holdings, Inc. — we’re in this together. * TREXPO WEST #407

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9' 6*' 2'12.' 1( 6*' 70+6'& 56#6'5 +0 14&'4 61 (14/ # /14' 2'4('%6 70+10 REVOLVERS VS. AUTOS Continued from page 55 '56#$.+5* ,756+%' claims to “perfection” will erase from +0574' &1/'56+% 64#037+.+6; 241/16' 6*' )'0'4#. 9'.(#4' #0& 5'%74' 6*' $.'55+0)5 1( .+$'46; my mind what I’ve seen and experi- 61 1745'.8'5 #0& 174 2156'4+6; &1 14&#+0 #0& '56#$.+5* 6*+5 %1056+676+10 (14 enced. Which is countless multitudes 6*' 70+6'& 56#6'5 1( #/'4+%# of jams and assorted other semiauto malfunctions compared to two revolver malfunctions. I remember the two revolver malfunctions clearly — due to their rarity they were so shocking. Two! Since 1973! And I mean two from all of my shooting and all I’ve witnessed from other cops on line over the years. Two! Just Two! I can’t stress it enough. I personally wouldn’t trade that kind of reliability for a 50-round capacity jam- o-matic of any kind. But there are other issues to review. Some are fairly significant and some not so important, but at least worth noting anyway. Next to functional reliability, I personally consider the revolver’s dual 1305west11thstreet.milan.il.61264call309.787.7151orvisitwww.lewismachine.net action feature to be most important. You can instantly select the double-action mode for fast, close combat work or the single-action mode for a more precise or VISIT US ON THE WEB: distance shot. I know some folks feel a DA revolver should be ﬁred only in the DA mode and some agencies even make AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM modifications making SA fire impos- sible. I understand their reasons, but it just doesn’t make sense. It’s a useful feature and should remain available. Safer Triggers Perhaps this isn’t a big issue, but stuff happens! I believe the trigger on a DA revolver is a safer trigger than the semiauto’s when cops are under stress, jumpy, shaking from adrenalin, stumbling or falling. Training is the key of course — but again, stuff happens. I like the safety inherent in a strong trigger. Another revolver advantage worth mentioning is its “clean the whole plate attitude.” It doesn’t choke on ammo it doesn’t like — because it likes all ammo. They eat anything. Pip-squeak target loads, volcanic- magnum hell-fire belching double hyper sonic rounds, round nose, flat nose, hollowpoints, pure lead, jack- eted ammo, you name it — even bird- shot and snake loads. Some semiautos are a bit finicky about things their owners try to feed them. I won’t beat you over the head with this one, but it’s worth thinking about. Is that handgun loaded or not? How many rounds are in there? Some slide guns have features to let you know by touch or sight that a round is in the chamber. But how many are in the magazine? With some mags you can’t tell at all without removing the rounds and counting. With the revolver you

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can swing the cylinder out and back in an instant and know the status. Reloading In A Gunfight Now, uh, well, er, that is to say … let’s talk about speed loading. Yes indeed, I truly do admit this one thing. It takes a lot more practice to recharge -/, / , ", -/, / "*- the cylinder than the hollow handle. But, I ask you, what’s wrong with a lot more practice? Gottcha. And, a revolver user is committing a serious mistake by not getting fast and sure %POhU #MPX with speed loaders. Even though it’s rare for an officer to engage in a speed load during a typical gunfight it’s still an absolute must to master. With ZPVS $PWFS enough practice, the revolver can be running again just as quickly as the )NTRODUCING 4HE 3TREET #RIME ,INE semiauto and that’s a goal worth $EVELOPED FOR THE OFF DUTY /FFICER AND reaching for. Then of course there’s the 3TREET #OP5# /FFICER WHO WANT TRUE “New York reload” if your agency PERFORMANCE AND STYLE FROM TACTICAL allows a back-up handgun. AND COVERT CLOTHING With the young breed of cops dis- "UILT IN CONCEALMENT POCKETS FOR 'UN playing ever better levels of physical 3PARE -AGS (ANDCUFFS 0EPPER 3PRAY fitness and dietary habits, this issue is #OLLAPSIBLE "ATON AND &LASHLIGHT not so critical, but it can still pop up !LL CLOTHING AND POCKET PLACEMENT occasionally. Donut glaze. Do you TESTED BY UNDER COVER POLICE OFFICERS IN realize how fast that stuff will jam a REAL TIME COMBATIVE ARREST ENVIRONMENTS slide gun? Slides don’t slide too well 4HE INNER POCKET WAS TESTED FOR OFF DUTY when inadvertently lubricated with USE COMFORT AND CONCEALMENT .O MORE sticky stuff. And on the feed ramp, BULKY HOLSTER OR FANNY PACKS 4HE ONLY you’re history. But a rolling cylinder TACTICAL CLOTHING COMPANY THAT HITS THE will pulverize it and keep rolling. STREETS AS HARD And, like donut eating, here’s AS YOU DO another thing from the ancient past. Fast draw. We used to practice a lot. -ADE IN THE 53! Usually in the dark and out of sight for #OMPANY INFORMATION WWW BULLETCOM fear of being called that Name. We did it because we knew the first, &AX best shot usually wins. We ignored mindless commands like, take your time, don’t rush, you’ve got plenty of time. We knew it wouldn’t work out .OWAVAILABLEONLINEATUSCAVALRYCOM like that in the real world, so we slapped leather and went for fast, accurate first shots. It’s a necessary skill now just as then. It’s a muscle memory thing and vital to living. You want speed for sure, but you don’t want fumbling from trying to perform a task hands can snag or hook and this circumstances, it likely wouldn’t have that you aren’t familiar with. allows speed and less fumbling when mattered what type of holster they But who cares whether you prac- making a fast draw. But, with the new were using. I admit this one is up for tice with a slide or a roller? miracle suicide holsters some cops grabs, but I favor simplicity. I guess Remember how I admitted it takes a are forced to wear, maybe fast draw is most simple-minded people do. lot more effort to recharge a revolver a thing of the past. I realize cops Some of you must be thinking, “Is compared to the semiauto? Well, this sometimes are shot with their own this idiot serious?” Well, I really am. is like that too, with the revolver handguns. But I just can’t seem to I’m as serious as a sideways supposi- having the edge. The slide gunner has shake the ominous feeling I have tory. Revolvers made by top-notch to practice more than the revolver about slowing the draw down and companies are endowed with the four shooter to be as fast. The magazine is making it more complex than it used S’s, meaning they epitomize speed, straight. So the well must be straight to be with the traditional thumb break simplicity, safety and sure function. to accommodate it. A straight mag design. I suspect many officers Ok, they’re yesterday’s weapons, but wouldn’t fit a curved handle. A who’ve been killed with their own so are B-52s and Iowa Class Battle- straight handle coming off the frame gun were disarmed not because of ships. Old is only bad in trying to get at the angle it does on the pistol their holster’s design, but because out of bed in the morning. Hey, think doesn’t lend itself well to fast draw. they were taken down by more than about it. Old stuff is old because it’s one person and were rendered semi- been around a long time and it’s been Suicide Holsters Vs. Speed conscious, if not unconscious, by a around a long time Revolvers have large curved grips stunning blow to the head. In such because it works. *

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DO WE NEED SWAT? Continued from page 50

30 years, I’ve formed an opinion or two. Something that cannot be denied, regardless of the size of the agency, is most of the time the good old regular street cop arrives at the problem first. The Bank America in North Hollywood is a dazzling, bathed-in-gunfire example. This is not to say SWAT won’t eventually get there, even if only as a partial team. At the North Hollywood event, a triad of L.A. SWAT officers successfully engaged the second suspect — to termination. There are often internal riffs. SWAT cops might assume the role of being “better,” (whatever that means), than regular street guys. Even if those same SWAT cops are actually “regular” street cops on a day-to-day basis. Funny how it works, isn’t it? Prima Donna Mode I understand the concept of ego, the thought of being a winner, the best of the best and the running-in-the- surf-carrying-telephone-poles-hooahh stuff. I’ve seen both ends of the spec- trum, from SWAT guys buffed to epic proportions to fat guys with the “S” and the “T” on their t-shirt tucked under their chubby armpits. I actually understand the concept of physical conditioning although in my advanced years I’m smart enough to know I’m too old for SWAT. Physical conditioning is a very good idea for a guy whose partners’ lives depend on their ability to physically get the job done. Muscles are good — but brains are better. With a combination of both, we’ve got something. One of the funny quirks of SWAT: rappelling. The thought is “it builds teamwork, cama- raderie and instills confidence.” Maybe, but in my limited time in SWAT nothing instilled confidence in me more than having a partner next to me who could shoot. And I mean shoot well. SWAT and guns go together. Spe- cial Weapons And Tactics, remember? Possession does not equate to compe- tency — in ropes or guns. Guns being the more important issue. Ladies and gentlemen if you’re in SWAT you’d better know how to shoot and be able to shoot the correct threat at the correct time without screwing around. Marksmanship should be a priority skill, rock-solid basics. These should be supplemented by advanced skills of movement-while-shooting at moving threats, low-light shooting skills and tactics as applied to firearms deployment. Pressing you on the basics? You bet. How many SWAT guys have been

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shot by other SWAT guys? I can think of a dozen cases. Most of them, in reality, were flat-out stupid gun handling and violations of basic safety rules. One thing I know for sure, a bullet in your back from a teammate, works just like a bullet in your front from a bad guy. They’ll both kill you. Another comforting thought: Do you trust everyone on your team behind you with a loaded gun? I can only hope. SWAT Bad Boys “Whatcha’ gonna do …” I think the line goes. Whatcha gonna do? How about we take all these people who have spent the time and effort to be more physically fit — and in many cases worked to be the best — and put them to work. Most departments are undermanned in training areas. How about using competent SWAT members, who know how to teach, to teach basic marksmanship skills to patrol cops? How about letting them help teach basic tactics skills? If the firearms range officers will swallow their egos and let the SWAT guys help, it could be a benefit to the whole department. Range officers — I know, because I was one — are often outnumbered and overworked. In my tenure as a police and range officer, I used fellow SWAT officers in my department to help with training — and it worked. SWAT officers who teach firearms and tactics have a vested interest in the concept. If something goes wrong, their first back up will be — you guessed it — the good old regular street cop. Never happen? Don’t bet on it. SWAT has been in a bad spot before and it will happen again. As an example, SWAT likes rifles and historically doesn’t want street cops to have them. Sort of a turf thing. Yet if a SWAT cop gets in trouble, a street officer working perimeter containment with a rifle may come in handy. Especially if the containment rifleman was trained by SWAT officers from his own department. Right now, most SWAT teams help serve warrants, rescue hostages, handle barricaded suspects and more. Why not add helping to train a whole department to become knowledgeable, competent, shooting tacticians? The Future How will we apply the Special Weapons and Tactics teams of the future? They’ll need to be competent, and they’ll need to be used effectively by knowledgeable administrators. Ways that will keep them as effective and pro- ductive as possible to the agencies and communities they serve. Do we need SWAT? I vote yes. *

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When the company that makes your handgun supports the heritage fund, you’re buying a real action pistol.

You want a beavertail grip safety, hand-checkered frame and a match barrel, and you need to make sure the maker of your next handgun is also protecting the future of your sport, by supporting the Hunting and Shooting Sports Heritage Fund. The Heritage Fund works for you, by advancing pro-gun legislation in Washington, D.C., by mobilizing sportsmen into a powerful voting bloc and by defending against junk lawsuits that threaten your traditions and firearm freedoms. So give your support to the companies that support the Heritage Fund, and you’re sure to see the kind of action you want. To learn which manufacturers are actively promoting your rights to hunt and shoot, so you can give them your support, visit www.heritagefund.org. M-A section 2a 2/9/06 2:10 PM Page 73

I'M NOT A COP BUT.. Continued from page 61 ,JNCFS Unique might lose a trophy or a medal, but Personalized never a life. You might not be so lucky. "DDFTTPSJFT Learned Programming !VAILABLEFROMDEALERSOR Under stress, you fall back on sub- DIRECTFROM+IMBER conscious “learned” programming — whether it’s good or bad. In competition, like in a gunfight, you don’t have the time to think through a technique to POCKET properly execute it. I’m allowed time POCKET to plan every step and shot of a course of fire in a match — and sometimes I IDENTIFICATIONIDENTIFICATION still get it wrong. If I can do something every time on the training range, I find I can do it the majority of the time in a match. If I can only do it some of the time in training, I’ll seldom perform the task well under pressure. I’m not saying it’s the same for a gunfight, but ,JNCFS¥3JNmSF5BSHFU5. if there’s even the slightest correlation, DPOWFSTJPOLJUT NWZ4:IVL you’d better be as good as you possibly 5IKPÅ\UW[\!JZIVL[IVL can be. The stakes are much too high. QV[\ITT_Q\PW]\\WWT[QVWVMUQV]\M Here’s the problem with competition shooters; we shoot a match stage, screw it up and walk off the line mut- tering how we’re much better in practice. However, we’re only remem- bering the very best we performed in practice. We forget mistakes and don’t account for the “probability of suc- cess” factor. This is simply the percentage of time we perform without

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D&L SPORTS Sureﬁre Scout light CUSTOM WITH AIMPOINT

Aimpoint COMPM2 sight & SUREFIRE SCOUT

74 AMERICAN COP • MARCH/APRIL 2006 M-A section 2a 2/9/06 2:10 PM Page 75

rom Dave Lauck, a true pioneer of custom rifles comes this AR system that is a sight to behold. Dave individually handcrafts each of these rifles himself. There are no apprentices or even journeyman gun cranks turning wrenches in his shop, only the master craftsman him- Fself. This gun is not a fragile, finicky, competition piece built with frail parts. If a part fails in competition, you might lose a match. Failure is not an option when lives are on the line. That’s what this gun is built for — business. This is a rifle any cop would be proud to own. It’s a precision instrument with the constitution of a sledgehammer. The balance is exceptional and it delivers sniper rifle accuracy with a first-man-through-the-door attitude. • Forged A-3 dimension upper receiver. • Forged AR-15 style lower receiver. • D & L special contour 16" barrel with extended sight radius and A-2 style compensator. • 5.56 mm chambered and throated for reliability. • D & L superduty handguard locked to receiver. • D & L aluminum stock with accessory compartments. • D & L forward mounted lockable rear sight. • Heavy duty blade front sight. • Field rugged trigger group. • Custom AR-15 pistol grip. • Hard anodized black finish standard. • Fitted, head spaced, and tested bolt group • 2 Extreme Duty AR-15 30 round magazines Aimpoint COMPM2 This sight is also known to the military community as the M68/CCO. It’s ready for use around the clock. The CompM2 holds up under the roughest physical handling and can withstand the most severe weather conditions and temperatures. In fact, the CompM2 is completely submersible and will withstand pressures up to 2.5 atmospheres allowing it to be taken up to 25 meters underwater. The sight has a 4 MOA red dot reticile that will keep running for up to 10,000 hours of day- time operation on one battery. Surefire M600A Surefire’s Scout Light is extremely rugged and powerful. Its INC. LED module produces 65 lumens of electronically regulated light with a total runtime of nearly three hours. This two-battery illumination tool attaches to a Picatinny rail with the included thumbscrew clamp. Switching is accomplished with a momentary-on remote tape switch that can be unplugged from the light if repairs or adjustments are required. Its compact size, reduced weight, and a wider beam make the Scout Light perfect for CQB, AR-15 urban and extended missions where every ounce count. TO ENTER CONTEST: Use a postcard (no envelopes, please) and follow the sample shown. Send to AMERICAN COP Dept. C3, P.O. Box 501930, San Diego, CA 92150- COP MAR/APR 2006: 1930. Entries must be received before May 1, 2006. Name ______Address ______City, State, Zip______SIGHT 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 Pub- EmailSample Address ______lisher’s Development Corporation and their families are excluded from entering. Contest void where prohibited or restricted by law. Winners must meet If I win, please ship my gun through: all local laws and regulations. Taxes and compliance with firearms regulations Dealer ______will be the responsibility of the winners. Winners will be notified by CERTIFIED Address ______City, State, Zip______LIGHT MAIL on official letterhead. No purchase necessary to enter. Phone ( ) ____ - ______Store hours __ am __ pm

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SPOTLIGHT For more information on seeing your product featured in “Spotlight” contact, Anita Carson (866) 972-4545.

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Sigarms now offers their three most popular model pistols with factory-installed Crimson Trace Lasergrips. Sig’s P220, P226 and P229 are now available with Crimson Trace Lasergrips, specifically designed for use with the Sig pistols and featuring the Sig Sauer logo. Features on the Lasergrips include dual side activation buttons and windage and elevation adjustments. Each pistol comes with a set of standard factory replacement grips as well. www.sigarms.com (603) 772-2302

TOP LOADER UNIVERSAL PROTECTOR CASE HOLSTER Pelican Products MOUNT Sure Set Holster Mounts Inc. The 1430 Top Loader Protector Case features 1,100 cubic inches of usable storage space and a top loading design with a rubber over-molded handle. The lid seals The Sure Set Universal Holster with a polymer o-ring and is dust and Mount UHM-001 can be mounted waterproof. Available options include a almost anywhere. Mounted under a shoulder strap, lid organizer, “mobile counter, on a wall, in a car or truck, on office” file holder kit and padded dividers an ATV or attached to a bed with the for photography and computer equip- included bed fixture, it is designed or ment. Optional accessories such as Pick home, business and vehicle protection, ‘N’ Pluck foam, canoe attachment for hunters, military and police applica- brackets and TSA-Accepted PeliLocks are tions. Mounting your holster on the also available. The 1430 is constructed of UHM-001 will put your handgun where engineering-grade polymer. you want it, when you want it. www.pelican.com www.sshmi.com (800) 473-5422 (202) 201-9408

AR-15 BRUSHES DUTY BOOTS Iosso Products 5.11 Tactical Inc.

Iosso introduces a brush kit A duty boot that doubles as a running shoe? 5.11 has eliminated the process of breaking in designed specifically for the boots. Their three lines of footwear are all lightweight and have been designed for duties AR-15. The kit contains three from foot patrol to special brushes, the upper receiver operations. Each line has brush, chamber brush and features specific to a duty bolt brush. The upper receiver function such as carbon- brush fits the based rubber to minimize receiver of slipping; waterproofing or the AR-15 and a blood-borne pathogen AR-10. The resistant lining. All three chamber boot lines feature injec- brush and tion Phylon in the mid- bolt carrier sole for lightweight and brush have comfort; full grain leather two steps so to maintain high-quality they fit snugly finish and the 5.11 Tac- into the areas to tical Series Shock Mitiga- be cleaned. tion System. www.iosso.com www.511tactical.com (847) 437-8400 (866) 451-1726

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SPOTLIGHT

BLACK MICARTA SHIVA Al Mar Knives

Al Mar Knives adds the black Micarta handle version of the Shiva to its line of tactical fixed blades. The Shiva features a 5.25" VG-10 lami- nated Cobalt stainless steel blade, satin stainless steel guard, full tapered tang and a full grain, traditional black leather sheath. The Shiva mea- sures 10" in length and weighs 5 ounces. www.almarknives.com (503) 670-9080 LASER COMBO LIGHT Streamlight Inc.

The Twin-Task 3C Laser Combo light features multiple lighting modes and a laser pointer. It features five white LEDs, a Xenon bulb and a pre-focused laser cartridge. The flashlight offers push-button, three-position lighting, including laser- only, laser/Xenon bulb MOBILE COMMAND CENTER or LED only. The laser LDV pointer has a usable range of 100 feet in laser/Xenon position and 100 yards in laser-only mode. It is pow- Mobile Command Centers are used to respond to major public events, emergency or disaster ered by three C-cell batteries, locations, or when public safety operations need to be coordinated and directed from the weighs one pound and mea- scene. LDV provides custom, specialized interiors. This MCC features two 21.5' by 3.5' and two sure 9.02" long. The Xenon 12' by 3.5' silide outs, 52', heavy-duty, telescoping pneumatic mast for camera installation bulb provides up to 57 and CCTV, 30 fixed wireless telephone terminals, 30 land-line phone inputs, 22 CAT6 com- lumens and the 5 puter network jacks, three 17" wall-mount color TV/monitors, conference room with table, 22 white LEDs offer up chairs, phone and computer hookups and 42" plasma TV, Motorola radio interoperability to 21 lumens. system, one-touch automatic hydraulic leveling, two automatic exterior awnings and analog www.streamlight.com fax capability. It also includes a Capricorn 2000 weather station, full galley with refrigerator, (601) 631-0600 microwave oven , water cooler and industrial coffee maker. www.ldvusa.com (800) 558-5986 AR-RESTOR Enidine Inc. EXTRACTOR UPGRADE KIT Buffer Technologies The AR-Restor hydraulic rate reducing recoil buffer works for the AR-15 (M4) family of The Extractor Upgrade Kit weapons. The shock absorber is a for the M16/AR-15 direct drop-in replacement for the provides more than existing mass buffer and requires four times the no special tools to install. The extraction force of buffer dramatically reduces fire standard parts. The rate in full or semiauto and elim- upgrade consists of an inates muzzle rise, reduces felt improved spring, plunger and O-ring, which can be recoil and improves target acqui- installed in minutes. It assures reliable extraction even when sition. The AR-Restor is available the chamber becomes heavily fouled or when used with ammunition that in lengths for collapsible and is less than optimally matched to the rifle’s port-pressure requirements. fixed buttstocks. www.buffertech.com www.enidine.com (877) 628-3337 (800) 852-8508

78 AMERICAN COP • MARCH/APRIL 2006 M-A section 2a 2/9/06 2:11 PM Page 79 M-A section 2a 2/9/06 2:11 PM Page 80

AMERICAN COP INDEX OF ADVERTISERS 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 5.11 Challenge 10 Insight Technology 6 $40.00. Bold words add $1.00 per word. Action Target 29 Kimber 15,73,84 Copy and rerun orders must be accompanied by PAYMENT IN ADVANCE. NO Adco Sales 66 Kleen-Bore, Inc. 65 AGENCY OR CASH DISCOUNTS ON LISTING OR DISPLAY CLASSIFIED ADVER- Al Mar Knives 14 LaserMax, Inc. 2 TISING. All ads must be received with advance payment BY NO LATER THAN THE ArmaLite, Inc. 6 Lewis Machine & Tool Co. 68 1st of each month. Ads received after closing Meprolight 12 will appear in the following issue. Please Bianchi Int’l. 21 type or print clearly. PLEASE NOTE*** NO Pearce Grip 12 PROOFS WILL BE FURNISHED. Include BlackHawk Products Group 19 name, address, post ofﬁce, city, state and Pentagon Light 3 zip code as counted words. Abbreviations Blade-Tech Industries 8 count as one word each. Mail to AMERICAN Phoenix Distributors 70 COP CLASSIFIEDS, 12345 World Trade Blue Book Publications, Inc. 68 Rock River Arms 13 Drive, San Diego, California 92128. NOTE: WE NOW HAVE DISPLAY CLASSIFIED ADS Blue Wonder Gun Care 66 Samson Mfg. 8 IN BOTH GUNS MAGAZINE AND AMER- ICAN HANDGUNNER. ASK FOR OUR Brownells 11 Shooter’s Choice/Ventco 67 NEW RATE CARD, Or call (858) 605-0235. Bullard 17 SigArms 11,14

ACCESSORIES Bullet 50 69 Smith & Wesson 27 Speedfeed, Inc. 67 CYBER SAFETY PRODUCTS Self Defense Prod- Choate Machine & Tool, Inc. 29 ucts, Stun Guns, Pepper SPray, Gun Safes, Etc. Catalog, $3.00. PO BOX 54, ELLSWORTH, OH Springfield 83 44416-0054. [email protected]. Fax: Classline, Inc. 73 (801) 858-2330. STI International 7 http://www.cybersafetyproducts.com. Crimson Trace Corp. 13 Streamlight 37 AMMUNITION DeSantis Holster 31 Taurus 25 APPAREL DigiLight USA 23 Truglo 9 CONFIDENTLY CARRY CONCEALED! Visit www.concealedcarry.com or call 888-959-4500 for DMA, Inc. 71 Wilson Combat 64 a FREE catalog. GSA contract GS-07F-9165S Enidine, Inc. 65 Wilson Tactical 71 AUCTIONS/SHOWS ILEETA 9 XS Sight Systems 66 BOOKS EMBLEMS & INSIGNIA

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INSTRUCTION he Police Officers Safety Association provides free full-length use of force video training programs to LEATHER TIPTIP T cops. Just verify your POLICE EQUIPMENT LE status through policeone.com and download any of the programs. Or REAL ESTATE order a physical DVD for only Established general store and firearms dealer in $5.00 each to cover duplica- small Oregon coastal town located in the center of sportsman’s paradise, deer & elk hunting, nationally tion and mailing. Also free famous fishing in the five top salmon & steelhead on POSA's Web site are rivers in the country and the famous Tillamook Bay. Sale includes real property and business. Details video tips on use of force call 888-382-4456, Donald Swanson, Rockaway subjects. www.poasi.org. Beach Realty or email [email protected]

80 AMERICAN COP • MARCH/APRIL 2006 INSIDERRUMINATIONS 81 * corrupted into “Su casa es mi casa.” toro caca. It has to stop — that’s Well, our federal government’s And it’s now. responsibility to make that happen. Mexican/U.S. border near San Diego. Aimpoint introduced this Aimpoint’s COMPM2 been sight in 2000, so it’s This thing around long enough to get a good feel on its reliability. AR or can take whatever you can dish out. Sit it atop your The shotgun and you’ll have one tough weapons platform. COMPM2 is also known as the M68/CCO when issued by the If it can take daily use in a countries. military and other NATO military application it sure as heck will be there for you after The bouncing around in the trunk of your police car all shift long. CETCOMPM2’s technology allows up to 10,000 hours of day- time operation on one battery and is compatible with every gen- also submersible to 75 feet eration of night-vision device. It’s even if you’re not. It contains no hazardous or radioactive com- ponents and materials and there is no laser emission that could be harmful to your eyes. (cont..) President Fox has here we are slipping here we are nice little each other our emis- notes via saries. Somebody’s gonna get hurt and we sure as heck don’t want it to be one of our border cops. been striving for reforms of Mexican law enforcement since he was elected truly and that’s a admirable. It’s a daunting task in country with a 300 year history of the At mordida (the bite). trying — unlike previous least he’s administrations. But it seems the old Mexican saying of “My house is your house” or “Mi casa es su casa” is being Continued from page 82 page from Continued LOOK AT THINGS I LIKE THINGS LOOK AT

RUMINATIONS

Every country in the world has Every country in Mike Lowe at Tactical Design Labs in Boise, Idaho was a cop and DETAC instructor in Boise, Idaho was a cop and DETAC Design Labs Tactical Mike Lowe at access to GPS satellite technology. We access to GPS satellite technology. even give the handheld units to their military along with our weapons and vehicles, so the excuse these little “incursions” are slight navigational errors on an ill-defined line between our two countries is just not credible. But Honest Mistake — NOT American military personnel disguised military personnel American for the military working as Mexican just have How about if we drug lords. and say, Rice write back Condoleezza Either Caca. Toro that’s Vince, “Hay have our real mili- you stop it or we’ll crap out your military guys blow the on our side of tary guys when they’re if drug guys. Or, the line helping the up as Mexican in fact the men dressed I would guess military are imposters, problem have a you really wouldn’t Vince?” with it, would you who had just about enough of officers having their guns taken away and used on them. It having their who had just about enough of officers to buy a “suicide holster” so neither he nor the seemed the only remedy was for the cop an unusual-looking up with the Professional. It’s bad guy could get to the gun. Mike came 10 or 20 high-impact polymer holster that solves three problems. First — with about “secret” is, cycles you can get lightning fast with it. Second — unless you know what the And third — it immediately and securely no one is going to get your gun away from you. or hoods locks your gun back into the holster without rocking, snapping or turning levers so you can go “hands-on” quickly when necessary. The Professional by Tactical Design Labs

A COMPLETELY SUBJECTIVE A COMPLETELY Toro Caca Caca Toro INSIDER WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM M-A section 2a 2/9/06 2:11 PM Page 81 Page PM 2:11 2/9/06 2a section M-A M-A section 2a 2/9/06 2:11 PM Page 82

INSIDER RUMINATIONS DAVE DOUGLAS ‘RONNIE, YOU IGNORANT MORON.’ ormally I would have placed this email in the Return law enforcement are filled with professional and dedicated Fire section of the magazine. But, after a career of men and women. The old days are gone and if you want to putting up with people like this at work, on the street, see that type of thing going on you’ll need to pay 10 bucks N while trying to choke down a quick sandwich at an and go into a theater for some leftwing Hollywood writer’s all-night restaurant and even at a “non-cop” party or two, I dramatic interpretation of that crap. thought I’d respond. Not just as a quick and pithy paragraph I’ll try to keep this very simple for you Ronnie for in Return Fire either, but take the opportunity to expand — obvious reasons. Cops actually have to approach cars to get and to vent. If I know American COP readers, these are the bad guys out after the bad guys do bad things. That means things we’d all like to say but have been forbidden by depart- they have to get close to the car Ronnie. If the bad guy tries ment policy and a sense of political correctness. And you all to hit the good guy with the car, the bad guy deserves to be know how we feel about political correctness here at AC. The shot. It’s called consequences for your actions. Apparently only changes I made to Mr. Spradlin’s email were capitaliza- they’ve stopped teaching this in school and replaced it with tion, grammatical and spelling error corrections so it would “it’s everyone else’s fault” curriculum. At one point in my be easier for you, the better educated, to read. career I worked for a chief who went on the local evening news and announced, “If you try to injure one of my officers Via The Internet or point a knife or a gun at one of them, you’ve just com- “Will you be writing about the code of silence that mitted suicide.” We need more chiefs like that. cops and gang members share, or how cops are too stupid As for the comment on cops lying for other cops, re-read to get out of the way when someone backs up, so they just the paragraph on the code of silence. I agree with you we stand there and shoot 100 times, how police officers lie for need ethical men and women in law enforcement these days. each other? We need cops who are real ethical men, not a Ronnie, we already have them, they’re called cops, deputies, man in a uniform looking for power at work.” troopers and agents just to name a few. While the over- Ron Spradlin, AKA Ronnie whelming majority of the public supports their cops and appreciates their sacrifices, what we need is a few more per- Attention Ronnie centage points of the “regular” folks to develop some ethics. You know Ronnie, as little as seven months ago, I would We need to increase the number of people in our commu- have sat and talked with you about why you feel this way, or nities with more than three brain cells working in concert do you have any personally witnessed, specific instances I who can recognize the movies and TV are pretend. The stuff could investigate for you. I’d also explain the media’s exagger- you see on the big and little screens isn’t real Ronnie. The ation of these issues you have with the police. But today, after things in the paper are a writer’s interpretation of the events, being retired from police service for a while and no longer colored with their own bias, good or bad. We need people obligated by my department’s policy in this area, I think the who will take the responsibility to investigate situations best tactic is a slight variation of what Dan Akroyd did with before they write some inane drivel to this magazine — Jane Curtin in the old Saturday Night Live bits. After Jane said apparently you aren’t one of them Ronnie. her piece he’d say, “Jane, you ignorant slut.” So … I always subscribed to the adage the only stupid ques- Ronnie, you ignorant moron (redundant but nonetheless tion is the one that goes unasked. Boy did you blow that appropriate under the circumstances) while there may still one out the water. Hopefully, you’re not a subscriber and be some vestige of the old code of silence you note in your only some dude lurking on the Internet who found our e-mail, it’s as rare as your brain cell count these days. Every Web site and decided to shoot off an e-mail. If you do sub- organization, CIA, NSA, IBM, Wal-Mart or Mike’s Diaper scribe, grow a set and send me your contact info so I can Service has its bad apples. We deal with it by getting rid of cancel the subscription. Oh yeah, and let me leave you them and sending them back to Mike’s. You see, the ranks of with a classic: Have a Nice Day.

guys good. Again the powers that be (whoever they really are)

RUMINATIONS must just not care if we get our local cops along the border Toro Caca with Mexico and Border Patrol agents blown apart. n a continuation from last issue’s rant, we’re back to the Hundreds of armed incursions by the Mexican military in enormous volume of toro caca generated by the federal support of drug smugglers are now documented and the feds I government. It’s absolutely breathtaking if you sit back sit back and write polite letters to Mexico’s President and contemplate it. I guess if you are going to do something Vicente Fox about it. Of course we get equally polite replies INSIDER you should be as good at it as you can be, and man are these from his government advising us the culprits are really

INSIDERRUMINATIONS Continues on page 81 82 AMERICAN COP • MARCH/APRIL 2006 c2,c3,c4 2/9/06 2:15 PM Page c3 Some att empt to redefine limits. Kimber removes them.

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