If you take a moment to consider a police officer’s real world of work, they do not kill the enemy as the military does; they seek out lawbreakers and take them into custody. That’s a HUGE difference in tactics! The military is constantly looking for ways to engage at greater distances (consider the dissatisfaction of the long-range killing power of the 5.56mm in … [Read more...]
iRobot 110 First Look Review
A couple of months ago I got the chance to review the iRobot 110 FirstLook robot. (Ed. note: Yes, this is the same iRobot company that builds the Roomba.) Bruce Archambault, the Army Business Manager for iRobot, was in the area and good enough to bring a couple of options to our police department for testing and evaluation. Although he also brought some larger options, … [Read more...]
Selecting a Police Sniper
Unfortunately, relatively little consideration is given for selecting personnel for a Of course, I’m a sniper. My name on the memorandum said I was!” Although a legitimate sniper school shouldn’t be afraid to flunk someone who can’t meet the course performance objectives, this is only the last link in the chain of a selection and assessment process which must have its origin … [Read more...]
DKX Armor: Lightweight Armor Plates for Cops
DKX Advanced Manufacturing is on the cutting edge of ballistic protection, offering high grade armor plates for military and civilian applications. The latest products from Advanced Manufacturing are some of the most amazing advancements in armor development I have ever seen. Combining the latest manufacturing technology with the newest polymer advancements, Advanced … [Read more...]
Optimizing the Police Shotgun
Law enforcement weapons, including the police issue shotgun, are in a constant state of evolution. I have been around this game long enough to see dump pouches give way to speedloaders; auto pistols replace revolvers, and a variety of less-lethal weapons render wooden batons obsolete. Change often takes more time than we like, but, eventually, we get it right and embrace the … [Read more...]
Breaching Tools for Patrol
Traditionally when police talk about breaching tools they are in the context of SWAT Teams. In deed, many breaching tools require specialized training to understand the complexities of the tool, or the specialized methods that must be used to ensure a successful breach. Tragic events, such as the spree killer at Virginia Tech, have illuminated the need for patrol officers to … [Read more...]