Some people say that police officers are crazy. We go out looking for violent criminals for a relatively small amount of compensation knowing that being killed is a very real possibility. You know who is crazier? People who will do it for free. Reserve police officers and deputies are men and women who volunteer their time to chase bad guys. They put on a uniform, strap … [Read more...]
Are Spike Strips Killing Officers?
Stopping a fleeing suspect has always been a dangerous proposition. Criminals fleeing the police pose a very real risk to citizens and officers alike. Getting them stopped as quickly and safely as possible is the goal, though there is no "sure fire" way to accomplish it. It used to be that officers would set a roadblock, forcing the suspect to stop or crash into the … [Read more...]
Dry Fire Practice – Snap Caps
Dry fire practice can save your butt. Seriously. Spending a few minutes every day working on trigger control and sight alignment through dry firing can translate into huge improvements on the range. Probably the biggest problem anyone has with shooting is trigger control. Learning to master that is probably the biggest thing you can do to become more accurate. One of the … [Read more...]
Pedestrian Stop Shooting Video
Walking backwards almost got a North Carolina deputy killed. At about 4:15 am on August 29, 2009, Guilford County (NC) Sheriff's Corporal J. Mecham made a pedestrian stop on a suspicious person later identified as Daniel Roy Smith. Unknown to Corporal Mecham, Smith was an escapee from a halfway house where he was serving time for a federal bank robbery conviction. … [Read more...]
Traffic Stop Shooting
Seeing his partner dragged under a car on a traffic stop gone bad, an Albany, NY police officer was forced to shoot and kill the car's driver to save the first officer's life. This is the video that was presented to the Grand Jury, which found the officers' actions reasonable. It is a combination of video from the patrol car and from a … [Read more...]
Traffic Stop Video – Deputy Dragged by Motorcycle
Traffic stops remain one of the most dangerous actions a patrol officer can engage in, yet it is frequently seen as a "routine" activity. The below video shows a deputy sheriff in Palm Beach County who is dragged by a motorcycle through a busy intersection. Fortunately, the deputy was not seriously injured and the suspect was identified. Being dragged by a car, truck … [Read more...]
Traffic Stop Shooting Video
This police shooting happened during a traffic stop in Tomah, Wisconsin. Notice that the driver immediately exited the truck and started shooting. Watch how the suspect engaged both officers while he was shooting. You see him shooting at one officer, then shift his fire to a second officer and then back to the first officer before retreating back to his truck. … [Read more...]
6 Things That Can Save Your Life
There are six things you can do before going on duty tonight that may save your life. The list is short, but critical to your survival. 1. Commit yourself mentally to survival - This is the most important, so I lead with it. You must mentally commit yourself to survival right now. If you are not mentally prepared for a violent encounter, all the tools in the world will … [Read more...]
Criminal Interdiction- BlueSheepdog Podcast 08
This week's police podcast focuses on criminal interdiction. In the past, many officers and trainers have focused on drug interdiction in rural stretches of highway. I suggest that criminal interdiction techniques can, and should, be applied in all areas of your jurisdiction. Among other things, I talk about officer safety, vehicle occupants and vehicle contents. As … [Read more...]
Streamlight Polytac 90
Streamlight Inc.’s Polytac 90 flashlight is a small right angle-headed polymer LED flashlight with high performance and good value. With an MSRP of $85, this light provides many thoughtful features. Powered by two CR123 3-volt lithium batteries, the LED emits either 170 or 17 lumens, depending on the setting. There is also a strobe mode. Battery life is from … [Read more...]