California: LAPD says no officers fired for May Day melee http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/01/AR2009070100925.html

Oregon: Man uses pepper spray, cops use Taser http://www.katu.com/news/local/49553107.html

California: Man dies after being shocked with Taser http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_12721245

New York: Police apprehend suspect after he pulls out Taser probes, fights K-9 http://www.midhudsonnews.com/News/2009/June09/30/Bernaccia_arrest-30Jun09.htm

New Mexico: Dashcam video: Suspected drunk driver tasered http://www.nbc-2.com/Articles/readarticle.asp?articleid=31573&z=69

Washington: Would-be bank robber cries bomb, surrenders http://www.komonews.com/news/local/49520657.html

Maryland: County officer shoots teen in Laurel. Youth backed SUV into officer, appeared to reach for weapon http://www.hometownannapolis.com/news/top/2009/06/30-13/County-officer-shoots-teen-in-Laurel.html

Michigan: Standoff ends when police use tear gas to force parolee from mobile home http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2009/06/pavilion_township_a_parolee.html

Kentucky: Police said Monday that a man shot and killed by police after a Laurel County chase last week had a knife on him at the time of the shooting. http://www.lex18.com/Global/story.asp?S=10614078&nav=EQlp

California: Suicidal man dead following officer-involved shooting http://www.vvdailypress.com/news/victorville-13068-dead-involved.html

Minnesota: Police ID Suspects In Officer-Involved Shooting http://wcco.com/crime/minneapolis.shooting.officers.2.1064612.html

ASER International announces that the long awaited self-contained wireless TASER^® eXtended Range Electronic Projectile (XREP^TM) shotgun rounds are now available.  The XREP has a groundbreaking maximum range of 100 feet.

Together with O.F. Mossberg & Sons, Inc. a leader in the design and manufacturing of firearms, we further announced the commercial launch of the TASER^® X12^TM Less-Lethal Shotgun (LLS) by Mossberg^®.

“This is an exciting day for TASER International as we launch the first wireless TASER capability while breaking the limitations of range and accuracy of traditional 12 gauge impact rounds,” said Rick Smith, CEO and founder of TASER International.  “Our teaming with Mossberg, a world renowned leader in the firearms industry, allowed us to leverage almost a century of firearms expertise to develop an integrated system that provides truly breakthrough performance.  The availability of the innovative XREP and X12 will change the way law enforcement, corrections and military personnel patrol and protect our lives.”

For more information on these products please visit www.TASER.com.

__________________________________________________

Metro Nashville Press release:

Sergeant Mark Chesnut continues to be in critical condition atVanderbilt Medical Center as the result of being shot during a traffic stop Thursday afternoon on I-40 near Bellevue.

Chesnut stopped the 2008 Dodge Magnum because the driver, Courtney Logan, 25, was not wearing his seatbelt.

The Mississippi escapee who admits to shooting Chesnut, Joseph Leon Jackson, 30, is being held in the Metro Jail on charges of attempted murder, unlawful gun possession by a convicted felon, being a fugitive from justice, and theft of a correction officer’s gun.  His bail is set at $3.36 million

Logan, of Louisville Kentucky, is jailed on charges of attempted murder and unlawful gun possession by a convicted felon.  His bail is set at $3.1 million.

The investigation shows that Logan assisted Jackson’s escape from an optometrist’s office Thursday in Greenwood, Mississippi.  Jackson was serving a life sentence for armed robbery and assault.  Jackson and Logan knew each other from Louisville.  Both are scheduled to appear in court Wednesday.

_________________________________________________

Chattanooga: Law enforcement officers bravely confront on-the-job dangers every day  http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2009/jun/30/law-enforcement-officers-bravely-confront-on-the/?local

Kentucky: Two police officers are nearly killed by booby trap http://www.wkyt.com/wymtnews/headlines/49469672.html

Washington: A Snohomish County sheriff’s deputy suffered a gunshot wound to the leg this afternoon during SWAT training at an Army facility in Yakima. The deputy’s injury is non-life-threatening and he has been taken to a local hospital for treatment http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/theblotter/2009399543_snohomish_county_deputy_wounde.html

Miami: Police fatally shoot machete-wielding man http://www.miamiherald.com/news/miami-dade/breaking-news/story/1117981.html

Mississippi: A teen shoplifter is dead and a Ridgeland Police officer is recovering after a violent incident in the WalMart parking lot off County Line Road. http://www.wlbt.com/Global/story.asp?S=10614831&nav=2CSf

Michigan: Neighbors evacuated, but standoff ends peacefully in Grand Rapids http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2009/06/neighbors_evacuated_but_stando.html

Oklahoma: Police release names of officer, man involved in shooting http://www.kfsm.com/sns-ap-ok–officer-involvedshooting,0,6974718.story

This is regarding a leadership development company called Freeman Phillips.  The President and founder of Freeman Phillips is First Sergeant

Matt Eversmann (US Army Ret.)  Many of you will remember Matt from the movie “Blackhawk Down” where he was portrayed by Josh Hartnett in the epic Battle of Mogadishu.

I had the privilege, or more accurately, the honor of serving with Matt for many years, and I can tell you from personal experience that his leadership and mentoring abilities are the best I have seen in 22 years of military and law enforcement experience.  I have seen the impact and effectiveness of his leadership in a variety of settings, and I’ve always been amazed at his skill in employing the art of genuine leadership.  I have seen him make a positive difference in individual people and in overall organizations.

Just like many of you, I have often been frustrated with the quality of leadership at varying levels within the law enforcement community. It just doesn’t seem like traditional, well founded, leadership is emphasized enough. This applies to first line supervisors all the way to upper management, and it applies not only to implementation, but also to leadership philosophy.  What we need is solid and genuine leadership based on traditional values and principals that have been time honored and battle tested; the type of leadership that has been successful for over 200 years. This is the type of leadership development training Freeman Phillips offers.

Freeman Phillips offers a variety of services in leadership development and tactics. The training programs focus on developing leaders, team building for organizations and small units, fundamentals and principles leadership, developing the warrior mentality, developing a “can-do” attitude, and small unit tactics.

Matt and his team can tailor fit training to the particular needs of any agency and in any field of endeavor. They can also create a training program for any level of leadership; from first line supervisors such as Shift Sergeants, to executive levels and departmental command staff.  Matt and his team understand the different needs, concerns, and areas of focus at those different levels and can address each in the program design.  Freeman Phillips offers these services in the form of speaking engagements or multi-day training events.

Matt often conducts one day speaking engagements where he presents a first hand account of the Battle of Mogadishu which took place on October 3, 1993 in Somalia, Africa.  The focus of this presentation is leadership development while specifically addressing dedication, courage, teamwork, and selfless service.  The audience hears a first hand account of the events of that historic battle from someone who was there; Matt gives specific examples of the actions taken by heroes that day that personify the qualities and characteristics essential to leadership, camaraderie, teamwork, and mission accomplishment. I can tell you from personal experience, this presentation can make a real difference.

Matt also talks about followership and its importance in the overall scheme.  This is an area rarely focused on, but extremely important to team building, leadership, and the good order of any organization.  As we all know, one must learn to follow before they can effectively lead.  I think many of us would admit that this is not a focus in law enforcement training, but it should be.  This overlooked aspect of training teaches how to be a good follower, not to follow blindly, but how to follow and be a productive member of the team.

Matt spent twenty years training and developing good leaders, followers, and good teams.  He has done this in training environments and exercised these skills in combat zones such as Somalia and more recently Iraq.  Matt has served in conventional infantry units and in special operations units such as the 75^th Ranger Regiment.

Again, this training is not only for law enforcement, Matt’s clients range from large and small civilian corporations to large federal law enforcement agencies such as the US Secret Service and rural police departments

We all know that good leadership is essential in any profession and in any organization.  Good leadership improves morale, makes organizations more effective and productive, instills a sense of pride in the organization, and promotes teamwork.  Just as important is the fact that it develops good people, good team members, and good leaders.

Take a few minutes to look through the brochure and please give it wide distribution. I know Matt and his team can make a real difference in your organization, in our profession, and possibly in all of us as individuals.

http://www.freemanphillips.com/Home_Page.html

Thanks,

Mike Evans mkevans@fs.fed.us
Special Agent
US Forest Service
Law Enforcement and Investigations
(906) 789-3358
(906) 280-0486 (cell)

Nashville: Officer Shooting Raises Procedure Questions. Sergeant’s Defense, Solo Patrol Examined http://www.wsmv.com/news/19872511/detail.html An escaped Mississippi inmate is back in custody and facing an attempted murder charge after less than six hours on the lam. http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20090627/NEWS/906270330/1001/NEWS

Houston: Slain HPD officer to be laid to rest Monday http://www.txcn.com/sharedcontent/dws/txcn/houston/stories/khou090629_tnt_canales-henry-police-funeral.1a84a641.html

D.C.: High court backs firefighters in reverse discrimination suit http://edition.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/06/29/supreme.court.discrimination/?imw=Y&iref=mpstoryemail

Florida: Police fatally shoot Woodbridge man http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/jun/28/florida-police-fatally-shoot-woodbridge-man/?page=2

Alabama: Man charged with attempted murder of Huntsville police officer http://www.waff.com/Global/story.asp?S=10608172&nav=0hBE

Ohio: Columbus SWAT team adds paramedics to treat wounded officers immediately http://dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2009/06/28/TEMS.html?sid=101

Kansas: Kansas City police involved in fatal shooting http://www.kansascity.com/news/breaking_news/story/1293260.html

Chicago: Cops from Democrats’ divisive 1968 convention hold reunion http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/jun/28/cops-from-democrats-divisive-1968-convention-hold-/

Georgia: (Only in the South! A Good Old Boy just trying to help) A Wrens County man was arrested and is now charged with aggravated assault after officials say he shot a man who was running from police, Saturday. Sources close to the man tell NBC Augusta 26 News that he was just trying to help, but for now he’s in jail until police know more about the condition of the suspect, who deputies say is critical http://www.nbcaugusta.com/news/local/49351602.html

Nebraska: North Platte man wielding Samurai sword fatally shot by deputy http://www.northplattebulletin.com/index.asp?show=news&action=readStory&storyID=16838&pageID=3

Michigan: Sheriff’s Deputy Shoots A Man Over night, Finds Suspect’s Mother Dead http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/19883882/detail.html

Texas: Police Games competition fosters friendships http://www.hcnonline.com/articles/2009/06/27/conroe_courier/news/police0627.txt

Groundbreaking medical study regarding risk in arrest procedures associated with suspect behavior and police tools and tactics.

Highlights of Press Release:

New medical study, Cataecholamines in Simulated Arrest Scenarios, was presented this week at the Australasia College of Emergency Medicine (ACEM) Winter Symposium 2009 in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.  The research led by Dr. Jeffrey D. Ho of the Department of Emergency Medicine, Hennepin County Medical Center, looked at the human physiology involved in common subject behavior, as well as police tools and tactics in arrest-related scenarios.

From the data obtained in the study, the researchers concluded that TASER devices or electronic control devices were “one of the least activating of catecholamines while the simulated combat was one of the most activating.  The simulated combat also lowered the pH the most of all the tasks.”

“Catecholamines are the bodies ‘hyper hormones’ and include the well-known adrenaline.  They are an indicator of the amount of stress felt by the body,” stated Mark Kroll, PhD, FACC, Adjunct Professor of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Minnesota and Chairman of the TASER International Scientific and Medical Advisory Board.  “This study is one of the first to look at the human physiology in common arrest-related situations with various police tools and tactics.  The research is groundbreaking in that it clearly shows that the use of a TASER device does not significantly lead to the increase of catecholamines in the human body.  However, struggling or running from police causes dramatic increases which can begin to cascade toward sudden death ,” added Kroll.

For Release:  June 25, 2009 at 8:00 a.m. ET

CONTACT: Peter T. Holran

Vice President of Public Relations

TASER International, Inc.

Media ONLY Hotline:  (480) 444-4000

New Medical Study Shows TASER Device Has Minimal Physiological Effect on Humans in Simulated Arrest Scenarios

Fighting or Fleeing from Police is Most Detrimental to Health

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., June 25, 2009 - TASER International, Inc. (NASDAQ: TASR), a leading provider of technology solutions and the market leader in electronic control devices (ECDs), commends the Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota for the groundbreaking study, Cataecholamines in Simulated Arrest Scenarios, which was presented this week at the Australasia College of Emergency Medicine (ACEM) Winter Symposium 2009 in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.  The research led by Dr. Jeffrey D. Ho of the Department of Emergency Medicine, Hennepin County Medical Center, looked at the human physiology involved in common subject behavior, as well as police tools and tactics in arrest-related scenarios.

The study was presented at ACEM Winter Symposium 2009 by Dr. Donald M. Dawes, another author on the study and a member of the Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Louisville, Kentucky.

According to the presentation, “Some authors have opined that the temporal relationship between ECD use and ARDs [arrest-related deaths] may be related to acute stress cardiomyopathy induced by high circulating catecholamines, rather than an immediate electrical-induced arrhythmia.  In this study, we compared the stress response during simulated use of force encounters.”

For the study, sixty subjects performed one of the following five arrest-related scenarios:

1) A 150-meter sprint, simulating flight from law enforcement officers,

2) 45-seconds of hitting and kicking a heavy bag, simulating physical combat with             officers,

3) A 10-second TASER^® X26^TM ECD exposure,

4) A K-9 training exercise of approximately 30 seconds, or

5) An Oleoresin Capsicum (O.C.) spray exposure to the face.

From the data obtained in the study, the researchers concluded that “the ECD was one of the least activating of catecholamines while the simulated combat was one of the most activating.  The simulated combat also lowered the pH the most of all the tasks.”

“Catecholamines are the bodies ‘hyper hormones’ and include the well-known adrenaline.  They are an indicator of the amount of stress felt by the body,” stated Mark Kroll, PhD, FACC, Adjunct Professor of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Minnesota and Chairman of the TASER International Scientific and Medical Advisory Board.  ”This study is one of the first to look at the human physiology in common arrest-related situations with various police tools and tactics.  The research is groundbreaking in that it clearly shows that the use of a TASER device does not significantly lead to the increase of catecholamines in the human body.  However, struggling or running from police causes dramatic increases which can begin to cascade toward sudden death,” added Kroll.

The poster presentation of the study can be found at http://www.ipicd.com/docs/6-24-09-Catecholamine%20-%20pH%20-%20Lactate%20poster[1].pdf.

About TASER International, Inc.

TASER International’s products Protect Life and Protect Truth.  TASER provides advanced Electronic Control Devices (ECDs) and innovative secured digital evidence collection and management solutions for use in the law enforcement, medical, military, corrections, professional security, and personal safety markets.  TASER ECDs use proprietary technology to incapacitate dangerous, combative, or high-risk subjects who pose a risk to law enforcement officers, innocent citizens, or themselves in a manner that is generally recognized as a safer alternative to other uses of force. The TASER^® AXON^TM, a revolutionary on-officer tactical computer and video/audio recorder, combines with an integrated digital multi-media evidence storage and management platform — EVIDENCE.COM — to provide an end-to-end solution to capture, store securely, and analyze digital evidence and information in ways that enables tactical and strategic decision making by law enforcement, as well as for legal evidentiary use.  For more information please call TASER International at (800) 978-2737 or visit our website at www.TASER.com.

Note to Investors

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), including statements, without limitation, regarding our expectations, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future.  We intend that such forward-looking statements be subject to the safe-harbor provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  The forward-looking information is based upon current information and expectations regarding TASER International.  These estimates and statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, are not guarantees of future performance, and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict.  Therefore, actual outcomes and results could materially differ from what is expressed, implied, or forecasted in such forward-looking statements.

TASER International assumes no obligation to update the information contained in this press release.  These statements are qualified by important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those reflected by the forward-looking statements.  Such factors include but are not limited to: (1) market acceptance of our products; (2) our ability to establish and expand direct and indirect distribution channels; (3) our ability to attract and retain the endorsement of key opinion-leaders in the law enforcement community; (4) the level of product technology and price competition for our products; (5) the degree and rate of growth of the markets in which we compete and the accompanying demand for our products; (6) risks associated with rapid technological change and new product introductions; (7) competition; (8) litigation including lawsuits resulting from alleged product related injuries and death; (9) media publicity concerning allegations of deaths and injuries occurring after use of the TASER device and the negative effect this publicity could have on our sales; (10) TASER device tests and reports; (11) product quality; (12) implementation of manufacturing automation; (13) potential fluctuations in our quarterly operating results; (14) financial and budgetary constraints of prospects and customers; (15) order delays; (16) dependence upon sole and limited source suppliers; (17) negative reports concerning the TASER device; (18) fluctuations in component pricing; (19) government regulations and inquiries; (20) dependence upon key employees and our ability to retain employees; (21) execution and implementation risks of new technology; (22) ramping manufacturing production to meet demand; (23) medical and safety studies; (24) field test results; and (25) other factors detailed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, without limitation, those factors detailed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and its Form 10-Qs.

The statements made herein are independent statements of TASER International.  The inclusion of any third parties does not represent an endorsement of any TASER International products or services by any such third parties.

Nashville: UP-DATE: Sgt. Mark Chesnut Remains in Critical Condition http://www.wztv.com/newsroom/top_stories/wztv_vid_712.shtml

My apologies to my good friend Lt. Steve Lewis, Metro SWAT Commander for not getting this out earlier but I have been out of town on personal time. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Sgt. Chesnut and his Brothers and Sisters in Blue in Nashville.

Escaped Inmate Shoots Nashville Officer During Traffic Stop http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,529150,00.html?test=latestnews Shooting suspect’s mom prays for wounded Metro officer. Woman unwittingly rented escape car http://www.tennessean.com/article/20090627/NEWS03/906270334/1006/NEWS01/Shooting+suspect+s+mom+prays+for+wounded+Metro+officer

Metro Press release:

Sergeant Mark Chesnut is in critical condition at Vanderbilt Medical Center with multiple internal injuries as the result of being shot at approximately 1 p.m. this afternoon while conducting a traffic stop on a Dodge Magnum in the eastbound lanes of I-40 west near Bellevue.

Chesnut, 44, a 22-year police department veteran, underwent surgery at Vanderbilt this afternoon.  Additional surgery will be required tomorrow morning.

Mississippi prison escapee Joseph Jackson, 29, tonight admitted to shooting Chesnut.  Jackson said he didn’t want to go back to prison.  Jackson will be charged tonight with attempted murder, stealing a Mississippi correction officer’s gun, unlawful gun possession by a convicted felon, and being a fugitive from justice.

Jackson’s accomplice and the driver of the Magnum, Courtney R. Logan, 25, of Louisville, Kentucky, is being charged tonight with attempted murder and unlawful gun possession by a convicted felon.

Chesnut, who is assigned to the Interstate Interdiction Unit of the Specialized Investigations Division, stopped the 2008 Dodge Magnum for a traffic violation and was seated in his police car checking the tag and Logan’s license when Jackson walked up to the police car and opened fire from the passenger side door.  Chesnut, who was wearing a bullet resistant vest, received gunshot wounds to his abdomen through a part of his body that was unprotected.  Chesnut radioed to Interdiction Officer Bill Morgan that he had been shot.  Morgan was close by on I-40 and sped to Chesnut’s aid.

Through the use of detail recorded by Chesnut’s in-car camera, a description of the Dodge Magnum and its license plate was quickly broadcast.  Undercover Detective Matt Dixon spotted the car, which evidently quickly exited the interstate after fleeing the shooting scene, traveling on Charlotte Avenue near the White Bridge Road intersection.  Dixon followed the car on Charlotte Avenue into downtown and then to the intersection of Hermitage and Fairfield Avenues where the car was blocked by police units.

According to the Mississippi Department of Corrections, Jackson, who was serving a life sentence for two aggravated robberies and aggravated assault, escaped during an optometrist appointment in Greenwood, Mississippi at 8 a.m. today.  The escape was aided by an armed accomplice who entered the office, fired a shot in the air, and ordered everyone in the office to get down on the floor.  Jackson and his accomplice, presumed to have been Logan, himself a convicted robber in Kentucky, fled Greenwood in a dark colored Dodge Magnum, which was rented Tuesday from Thrifty Car Rental in Louisville.  It was to have been returned tomorrow.

Shackles and handcuffs were visible inside the Magnum when Logan and Jackson were taken into custody by Metro officers.  A semi-automatic pistol was also recovered from the car.  Logan had two magazines of ammunition on his person when he was arrested.

The gun believed to have been used to shoot Sergeant Chesnut was recovered from the passenger side of Chesnut’s police car.

Utah: SWAT team kills man who fired from balcony. Neighbors dove for cover as shots tore through walls http://www.sltrib.com/News/ci_12698362

Alabama: Autopsy: Death involving Taser, MCSO a homicide. According to the report, released this week, the cause of Welch’s death was “atherosclerotic heart disease complicated by diabetes mellitus with renal failure associated with struggle during restraint.” http://www.hcnonline.com/articles/2009/06/26/conroe_courier/news/taser0626.txt

Florida: Deputy Wounded In Gas Station Shooting. Injured Deputy Was On Break http://www.wesh.com/news/19856947/detail.html Questions surround bizzare Pine Hills shootout http://wdbo.com/localnews/2009/06/two-shot-one-a-deputy-in-pine.html

Kentucky: Suspect Fatally Shot By Deputy After Laurel County Chase http://www.lex18.com/Global/story.asp?S=10599699

Massachusetts: Training for triage. Special Response Teams conduct exercises in high-risk scenarios http://www.berkshireeagle.com/ci_12684414?source=most_viewed

Kentucky: Training for crisis http://www.richmondregister.com/localnews/local_story_176075244.html

South Carolina: Man kills himself during standoff with SWAT http://www.nbcaugusta.com/news/local/49198382.html

Idaho: Labeling STAR team vehicles http://www.idahostatejournal.com/articles/2009/06/27/news/breaking/10.txt

Florida: Emergency drill aimed to defend hospital http://www.gainesvilletimes.com/news/article/20539/

IALEFI Disclaimer

www.ialefi.com

A number of IALEFI members have voiced their concern regarding the exceptionally unsafe firearms training practice demonstrated in a video which has seen widespread distribution recently featuring James Yeager who purports to be an IALEFI member. http://s738.photobucket.com/albums/xx26/WakkoSS/?action=view&current=MVI_1778.flv http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2009/06/17/highly-controversial-training-video/

Although Yeager claims to be a member of IALEFI on his web site our records confirm that he is not a current member nor has he ever been a member of the International Association of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors, Inc.  The precarious procedures and practices displayed in this video defies all intelligent logic and are not worthy of comment as they speak for themselves.  Furthermore, his follow up to this complete act of idiocy in an attempt to justify his actions again speaks for itself and does not merit any comment. http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2009/06/19/james-yeager-responds-to-the-controversial-training-video/

Information request:

If you work for a state or city funded hospital, I would like to know the number of BASIC training hours you go through.

Breakdowns as to the number of report writing, firearms, physical conditioning are appreciated if you know them, but not necessary. .

Bob Anderson, Robert.Anderson5@va.gov VA Law Enforcement Training Center

Mike,

Below is an e-mail I had just received.  I would appreciate if you would put the word out minus the compliments on the course.  While the feedback is greatly appreciated the far more important matter at hand is Jamie.  He is a monster of a man standing at 6′5 270lbs of muscle.  He was really a great guy with a great attitude and I can’t help but think of the suffering he is going through at the moment.

I am sure someone on your list knows him personally and would want to offer support and prayers.  His full name is Jamie Hodge, he is an Advanced Tactics Instructor for FLETC down in GA.  I last saw Jamie on June 4th, his demeanor was larger than life.  It really has to make us all take a step back and be grateful for the ones we value the most.

Thank you.

Respectfully,

Chris Ghannam

President, Sark Securities

From: terry.wollert@dhs.gov

To: ghannamc@hotmail.com

Chris

One of your students in the recently held active shooter class, Jamie Hodge, had very high praises for the class he attended and spoke very highly of you and your instructors.  Jamie is one of my SME/Role Players for my research projects.  He was very excited about what he learned and couldn’t help sharing with the other team members what he had learned.  Unfortunately, Jamie has suffered a great loss in his life.  His 18 year old daughter was killed in an auto accident on father’s day weekend.  I am sure he would appreciate your prayers to help him get through this very difficult time. I hope all is well with you and that we can get together sometime soon.  Keep up the good work.

Terry N. Wollert, PhD

Training Innovation Division, Federal Law Enforcement Training Center

Chattanooga: Body armor protects Fort Oglethorpe officer in shooting; slain gunman identified  http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2009/jun/25/body-armor-protects-fort-oglethorpe-officer-in/?local

Massachusetts: Undercover officer’s cover blown at crack house http://www.masslive.com/springfield/republican/index.ssf?/base/news-22/124591422460640.xml&coll=1

Arizona: Off-duty Tucson officer kills man who pulled gun on him. Officers stop at accident scene; weapon pulled when backup is sought http://www.azstarnet.com/metro/298467

Florida: A Tallahassee police officer, who fired a Taser on a 15-year-old boy who stepped out in front the officer’s patrol car is now the subject of an internal affairs investigation. http://www.tallahassee.com/article/20090624/BREAKINGNEWS/90624001/Updated++Tallahassee+police+officer+to+be+investigated+for+use+of+Taser+on+minor

California: An off-duty police officer shot and wounded two men who had assaulted him in the crowded Angel Stadium parking lot after Wednesday night’s Colorado Rockies-Los Angeles Angels game, authorities said. http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gZSBuz_i8R4zErEjSSPO1NwOXuCwD991K3GO1

Louisiana: Officer burned by ammonia recovering. Police say Officer Byrd was patrolling when he spotted a hose near a tank of Anhydrous Ammonia. He’d thought someone was trying to steal it to make crystal meth. http://www.fox10tv.com/dpp/news/local_news/mobile_county/Officer_Burned_By_Ammonia_Recovering

Chicago: Even cops losing their jobs in recession. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31530751/ns/us_news-life/

Houston: Undercover Houston police officer, suspect killed http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/24/AR2009062400701.html

Long time “Beat The Heat” member Henry Canales with the Houston Police Department was killed last night in an undercover operation. I have known and worked with Henry for many years. I spent most of last week with him in training. Tremendous officer.
Henry dearly loved his family who were also involved in drag racing. I will post more as I get it.  As details of the services or Henry develop I will pass them on. Please keep his family in your prayers…
Tommy Hansen
Vice President http://www.beattheheatinc.org/photo.html

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Chattanooga: Officer shot, suspect killed in Ft. Oglethorpe (Georgia). Officer saved by body armor. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2009/jun/24/fort-oglethorpe-police-officer-shot-gunman-also-sh/

Arizona: Tucson police kill man who pulled gun on officer http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/hourlyupdate/298353.php

D.C.: In a Split Second, a Life-or-Death Decision. ATF Agent Who Witnessed D.C. Shooting Faced a Tough Choice: Fire or Call for Backup http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/23/AR2009062303404.html

Minneapolis: PD Conducts Pre-Summer Gang Sweep http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/dpp/news/crime/Mpls_PD_Conduct_Pre_Summer_Gang_Sweep_june_10_2009

Texas: The debate over whether a local deputy constable acted properly when he used a Taser on a 72 year-old woman he had pulled over for speeding may eventually be resolved by a Travis County Grand Jury.  http://oakhillgazette.com/default.asp?sourceid=&smenu=73&twindow=Default&mad=No&sdetail=2265&wpage=&skeyword=&sidate=&ccat=&ccatm=&restate=&restatus=&reoption=&retype=&repmin=&repmax=&rebed=&rebath=&subname=&pform=&sc=1846&hn=oakhillgazette&he=.net

Indiana: Attorney for a Illinois City Council found drunk, asleep in trash can http://www.inquisitr.com/26612/fail-attorney-for-a-illinois-city-council-found-drunk-asleep-in-trash-can/ Fallout From Embarrassing Photo Grows. Mayor Speaks Out Against ‘Renegade’ Officers. Attorney Larry Wilder has had to answer a lot of questions about a photo of him passed out in a neighbor’s trash can after being dropped off near his home by limousine following a night at a local restaurant. http://www.wlky.com/news/19817338/detail.html (Here is an idea to prevent this from happening - Don’t get drunk and pass out in a garbage can on the side of the road and expect your picture to not be taken)

Chicago:  Police announce initiatives to curb summer violence and enforce curfew http://www.examiner.com/x-7520-Chicago-Crime-Examiner~y2009m6d23-Chicago-police-announce-initiatives-to-curb-summer-violence-and-enforce-curfew

Atlanta: Waffle House Taser Victim Speaks Out. Was allegedly touch Tazed as a joke by Gwinnette County Deputies. (If true this would go into the Top 10 stupidest things I have seen cops do since doing the newsletter) http://www.11alive.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=131736&catid=3

Indiana: SWAT Team trains at Casino Aztar http://www.14wfie.com/Global/story.asp?S=10581602&nav=3w6o

Several of you inquired about the White Water photos from yesterday. Below is a link to more if you are interested.                                        http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLanding.action?c=9uq8j65.4uh262ox&x=0&y=a3phlr&localeid=en_US

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Do any of you still have the link to these photos? I can’t seem to find them or the link.

Mike, I had received photos of the inside of the apartment in the swat shooting in Oakland . We have been debriefing the incident and can’t find those photos and I believe that those photos came from a link off your site. If you have the link could you send it to me.  Thanks,  Tom McKibben  Denver Police Metro/Swat unit.

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California: SWAT Team Storms Barricaded Home http://www.myfoxla.com/dpp/news/local/SWAT_Team_Storms_Barricaded_Home_20090622

Virginia: Charlottesville SWAT Team Knocked Out of Top Spot http://www.whsv.com/news/headlines/48804417.html

Utah: Boys in Blue prove point http://www.sltrib.com/sports/ci_12667101

Missouri: Moberly to pay $2.4 million in Taser lawsuit settlement http://www.kansascity.com/news/breaking_news/story/1267264.html

California: Girl Battling Cancer Gets Wish to Become Deputy http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Girl-Battling-Cancer-Gets-Wish-to-Become-Deputy.html

Texas: SWAT situation with undocumented immigrants held by armed gunmen over http://www.brownsvilleherald.com/news/police-99201-immigrants-undocument.html

Washington: A police officer was indicted on federal civil rights charges over a fatal confrontation with a developmentally disabled man who was struck and Tasered in 2006 at a Spokane, Wash., convenience store. http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5j1-CgZ9RkjebZ63pAmhT0yYh3nkQD99041AG0

LAWL ENFORCEMENT EYES ONLY!!
—–Original Message—–
Sent: Monday, June 22, 2009 8:36 AM
Subject: Gang Info

“Today at the Cobb County monthly Gang Intel. meeting a new “Officer
Safety” issue was discussed. Apparently drug cartels are conducting
counter surveillance during traffic stops. They are using a vehicle to
make a patrol unit pull them over. Behind that vehicle would be two
others, one would have guns to protect them and the third would be
videotaping the entire incident. This took place in Cobb and the primary
unit made the stop. The UC vehicle notice a white van stopping away from
the officers, they (UC) made contact with the van and found 5.7 FN
pistols and other weapons in the vehicle. Once the word got out the
officers started to look for more vehicles that match the MO and found a
third one. The third vehicle was videotaping the entire incident to
provide Intel on how we operate. According to their Intel. the first car
was the bait, the second was the shooters and the third would tape the
incident. By doing this “THEY” were the ones conducting traffic stops by
luring us into an ambush. This MO was used about 18 years ago back in
CA.”
Dan M. Barnett, Captain
Intelligence Unit
Columbia County Sheriff’s Office
2273 County Camp Road
Appling, Georgia  30802
dbarnett@columbiacountyso.org
This e-mail message (including any file attachment) is intended only
for the use of the individual or entity to which it is addressed, and
may contain information that is privileged and/or confidential.  If you
are not the intended recipient, any dissemination, distribution or
copying of this communication is strictly prohibited.  If you have
received this communication in error, please notify the sender
immediately by reply e-mail and delete or destroy all copies of this
message and any file attachment.  Thank you!
________________________________________________________
Xiphos (pronounced zee-phose) is a biweekly summary of recent court decisions about criminal procedure and other subjects important to street cops and administrators.  The xiphos is a short double-edged sword used essentially as a backup weapon by ancient Greek warriors.  This service is provided at no cost for America’s tremendous public safety professionals.  To subscribe, send a message to Xiphos-subscribe@KenWallentine.com.  To unsubscribe, send a message to Xiphos-unsubscribe@KenWallentine.com.

Questioning without warning proper under the rescue doctrine exception to the Miranda rule

On October 1, 1993, Davis kidnapped Polly Klaas from a slumber party with her friends.  On November 30, officers arrested Davis.  Davis invoked his right to counsel.  After learning that his palm print matched a print found at the scene, an officer asked Davis whether there was any hope of finding Polly Klaas alive.  Davis told him that he didn’t know what he was talking about.  However, 15 minutes later, Davis called the officer back to his cell and told the officer that she was dead.  He gave a detailed confession and lead officers to the child’s body.  Davis claimed that the officer’s questioning about finding the victim’s body was unconstitutional interrogation because he had invoked his right to an attorney.  Davis claimed that the “rescue doctrine” could not apply because the child had been missing for 64 days when he was questioned.

A suspect may be questioned, even after invoking the right to counsel or right to remain silent, when there is: “1. Urgency of need in that no other course of action promises relief;  2. The possibility of saving human life by rescuing a person whose life is in danger; and 3. Rescue as the primary purpose and motive of the interrogators.”  The California Supreme Court held that the questioning was proper.  The court ruled that the officer’s questions were limited to the purpose of finding the victim, or her dead body, and were not intended to elicit an incriminating response.  The court stated: “the length of time that a kidnap victim has been missing is not, by itself, dispositive of whether a rescue is still reasonably possible.”   Davis had told associates that he committed the crime for money.  Thus, it was reasonable for the officers to believe that the victim might be alive 64 days after the kidnapping.  The court affirmed Davis’s death sentence.  People v. Davis, — P.3d —-, 2009 WL 1515177 (Cal. 2009).

Questioning without warning proper under the public safety exception to the Miranda rule

A number of officers descended on a neighborhood known for violent crime and an open drug market in Washington, D.C., to arrest Jones on a murder warrant.  The officers had information that Jones had committed the murder with a gun and that he was armed.  An officer spotted Jones and chased him.  When the officer caught Jones, he asked Jones if he “had anything on him.”  Jones said that “his burner” was in his waistband.  An officer retrieved a handgun from Jones’s waistband.  Jones was convicted of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.  Jones claimed that the question about whether he had anything on him constituted illegal interrogation because it preceded a Miranda warning.  The court held that the question was proper under the “public safety” exception to the Miranda rule.  In New York v. Quarles, 467 U.S. 649 (1984), the Supreme Court held that officers may ask questions without a Miranda warning when “reasonably prompted by a concern for the public safety,” or for the safety of the arresting officers.  In Jones’s case, the court observed that said there is “nothing unreasonable about an officer worrying that a person who committed a murder just six weeks before, and who had a previous conviction for a firearm offense, would be in the habit of carrying a weapon.”  Moreover, the court recognized that Jones had not yet been searched, his clothing could conceal a gun, there were small children nearby, and the neighborhood was well-known for its danger level and drug dealing.  United States v. Jones, — F.3d —-, 2009 WL 1586784 (D.C. Cir. 2009).

Discount on The K9 Officer’s Legal Handbook for Xiphos readers

LexisNexis is offering a 20% discount on The K9 Officer’s Legal Handbook for any Xiphos reader from now until the end of June.  Follow the ordering instructions below, or open the attached pdf file for more information.

Festivities at the Ocoee River Friday in 100 degree heat. The man overboard was rescued by his boat mates a bit further downstream.

Arkansas: Police officer killed 2 weeks from retirement http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5h010n4cLuWmSec9yiqwoAfCSJGBwD98U0PK01

Florida: One Officer Involved in 2 Shooting Deaths in 4 Days http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/Miami-Beach-police-officer-involved-in-two-shooting-deaths-in-four-days.html Cops Shoot Carjacking Suspect on Causeway. Miami Beach police shoot and kill a suspect for the second time in the past http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/Causeway-Closed-after-Cops-Shoot-Carjacking-Suspect.html

Oakland: Oakland cop fired after second killing http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/06/20/BAAD18AVTQ.DTL&tsp=1

Los Angeles: All the colors that make blue http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-banks20-2009jun20,0,237882.column

D.C.: Female FBI Agents Make Their Mark In Md. Amid Rise in White-Collar Crime http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/20/AR2009062001645.html?hpid=moreheadlines

Connecticut: Police: Conn. man dies after Taser hit http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2009/06/21/Police-Conn-man-dies-after-Taser-hit/UPI-39341245603267/

D.C.: Family sues after SWAT team raids their apartment by mistake http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/local/Family-sues-after-SWAT-team-raids-their-apartment-by-mistake-48732327.html

Ohio: Police say underage drinking arrest at block party near Kent St. sparked weekend riot, arrests http://www.sfexaminer.com/nation/ap/48683567.html

Louisiana: Team prepared to defuse crisis situations http://www.thetowntalk.com/article/20090621/NEWS01/906210302/1002/Team-prepared-to-defuse-crisis-situations

Hawaii: Lawyer says video disputes police version of shooting of woman http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artikkel?Dato=20090619&Kategori=BREAKING01&Lopenr=90619060&Ref=AR&Show=0

Ohio: Deputy on leave as fatal shooting is investigated http://www.columbusdispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2009/06/19/suspectkilled2.html?sid=101

Pennsylvania: Police shooting of unarmed teen probed http://www.philly.com/philly/wires/ap/news/state/pennsylvania/20090619_ap_papoliceshootingofunarmedteenprobed.html

Florida: 911 Call Released In Fatal Port St. Lucie Police Shooting http://www.wpbf.com/news/19804046/detail.html

Force Science Research Center Newsletter

Voices behind the stats: What others say about downed-officer rescues
There’s a dog handler whose training for saving an injured K-9 is “far superior” to what he receives for saving a fellow officer…
And there’s a supervisor who says he’d send himself into a hot zone to rescue a downed colleague before he’d send anyone under his command…
And there’s a patrol officer who has figured a way to rig up old vests as a makeshift shield to use in extracting a wounded cop from danger.
These are the human voices behind the research statistics, and there’s value in hearing what they have to say.
Earlier this year, Dr. Matthew Sztajnkrycer, an emergency medicine specialist, a “SWAT doc,” and an advisor to the Force Science Research Center, conducted a 23-question survey through Force Science News and PoliceOne.com, regarding the rescue of downed officers from active fields of fire.
More than 1,700 of you responded, indicating a dearth of training in this area (only half had received any rescue instruction in the last 5 years) and a strong inclination to attempt a rescue, regardless of the downed officer’s condition and the risk involved. [Click here to read FS News #118 in the archive].
Today, we offer a representative sampling of “free form” comment entered by respondents as part of the survey. More than 500 were submitted, anonymously, and although they were not statistically analyzed, Sztajnkrycer considers them significant.
“This is law enforcement speaking, and the voices of officers who’ve ‘been there’ are very powerful,” he says. “People’s words often give a richer impression of the data than statistics alone.”
This cross-section, he believes, highlights “the conflict and the angst” that can lie behind rescue decisions, the need for better training in this life-or-death subject, and some practical measures that may prove useful when you are faced with a downed-officer situation.
Perhaps most important, what others say may challenge or reinforce your own views and experiences so that you can think critically about this subject before you face it, rather than waiting until you are in desperate circumstances.
Listen…
Saving dogs vs. saving cops?
My department has never conducted downed-officer rescue training. I have been a K-9 supervisor for over 17 years and the training I give to rescue down K-9 partners is far superior to any training the officers receive to save other officers.
In fact, my K-9 first-aid kit is used in the field on officers, as the officers’ first-aid kit contains only Band-aids, an ambu bag, some tape, and 4X4s. Since I have thought about this, it is very troubling.
A time to risk, a time to stop?
Weighing and minimizing risk is part of police work. Risk cannot be eliminated entirely, only minimized. A good example to look at might be the Worcester (MA) fire that killed 6 firefighters. High-risk rescue attempts were tried and failed. The men were ready to continue attempting rescues, but the on-scene commander had to make the hard judgment and order his men to stop. There was a time for risky action and a time to stop. His action saved lives but he had to bear the truly terrible burden of command with the hard, but correct, decision.
“Rescue” yourself when possible?
I was the subject of an officer “rescue” after being shot on a SWAT operation. I was able to walk out of the kill zone after being hit. If I had simply gone down and made others save me, in our situation undoubtedly more officers would have been hit.
I think a critical aspect of downed-officer protocol should be mind-set training for the injured officer. If you can “self evacuate” or engage in self-care do so, without putting others at further risk to save you. This will not always be possible, but it can be a factor in some cases.
“Rational thinking can go out the window” ? My agency has done downed-officer training in a “shoot house” environment using Simunitions. It often takes a few repetitions to get officers to think and operate from a rational perspective rather than from an emotional perspective.
When one of your own is down it is more personal. Rational, logical thinking can go out the window and a “rescue the officer at all costs” mentality can quickly take over, resulting in bad judgment and further loss of life or injury which then compound the situation drastically.
Bottom-line result of “premature” action?
During an attempt to rescue 2 downed SRT teammates, I was shot by a barricaded suspect. At the time, the team had no special equipment (body-bunker shield, armored vehicle) to aid in extracting. Team had NO training in downed-officer extraction. I reacted prematurely when I saw suspect fire at wounded officer lying in front yard of residence.
I failed to communicate my intentions to other officers accurately, failed to ensure they understood my intentions, and failed to ensure they concurred with my decision. Rescue failed. 2 officers KIA, 3 officers WIA during incident.
Proper focus: Eliminate the threat?
Many years ago an Israeli SWAT officer told me they don’t concern themselves with rescuing downed officers, because the goal is to terminate the threat. He explained that any attempted rescue is likely to result in additional casualties while delaying rescue and/or diminishing the quality of the care given the wounded officer. He said the best thing that can be done for the officer is to eliminate the danger first, then take the time to properly care for him and remove him from the scene.
Pray…and move?
It’s the worst part of our job, seeing a brother or sister in urgent need of help. You’ve just gotta go! Pray, plan, and move.
A supervisor’s judgment?
I would be more likely to assume the role of rescuer than to authorize a rescue attempt by one of the officers under my command.
Visualization and workouts tailored to the task?
Academies should make downed-officer rescue mandatory training so officers/deputies who work together are on the same sheet of music, instead of different techniques/ideas being ironed out when the bullets are flying.
I have received some officer-rescue training, but like most training areas, not enough. Most of my preparation comes from consistent visualization more than anything else. I also try to incorporate exercises into my workouts that focus on movements/working muscles associated with an officer rescue.
Creative planning before it’s needed?
While my department has no formal training about officer-down rescues, most of the officers I work with and I have discussed what we would do in different situations to help rescue each other. This has included purchasing tactical vests ourselves and placing hand-me-down military rifle plates into the panels of expired soft body armor panels, so we could wear them or hang them from a straight baton as a makeshift shield during a rescue attempt.
Minimum needs?
Downed-officer rescue requires a minimum of rifles and a shield, if possible. Rifles are the most important tool. Stand-off, accurate suppressing fire (yes, I said suppressing fire in a domestic LE situation) is absolutely essential.
Immoral risk?
Risking lives to save an obviously dead co-worker is immoral.
A core belief?
Those who would not risk their own life to save the life of another (officer or not) should not be police officers. We run to the sound of gunfire, not from it!
Logic needed, not emotional responses?
We have seen more and more large-scale incidents where injury and loss of life occur, both to citizens and officers. Making judgment calls needs to be based on rational logic, not emotional responses. In medicine, it is called triage.
We need to value the life and safety of those we are sworn to protect and partner with, and with this comes the realization that we took on a risk when we took our oaths. But we should not needlessly give our lives or health in incidents where positive outcomes are very unlikely.
“He carried me out to safety” ?
I was a downed officer once. A barricaded suspect shot me in the chest at point-blank range. It was in a barn and he was in the haymow that I was searching. I made it down to the ground when in came a fellow officer who picked me up and carried me out to safety. Then when the squad would not come to get me, he carried me to them. He is a Vietnam- decorated vet.
In combat and on the street?
I would not risk another officer’s life unless there is a major chance of successful extraction/aid being rendered. I will never leave anyone under my command behind–never. I didn’t do it in combat, I won’t do it on the street.
Big trucks as cover?
Have Plan B, C, or D ready if A doesn’t work. People forget that even a garbage truck could be a good vehicle to help cover a downed officer and can be gotten in a reasonable amount of time. Also a fire tanker truck can stop a lot of bullets. Even small departments will have both vehicles available.
Lingering after-burn?
In my one true case of “hot zone rescue,” we waited for additional backup before attempting to rescue a gunshot victim. The man died, and even with the ME telling us later that the man had been hit in the carotid artery, after all these years later (15), the feeling of helplessness still bothers me!
“I’ll be there when they need me most” ?
It is important that each one of my officers knows that I will do everything possible to rescue them. I ask a lot of them and they need to know they can trust me and that I’ll be there for them when they need me most. If I won’t come and get them, they may not come and get me!
Life-or-death priorities?
Lives must be prioritized. I will risk an officer’s life to save an innocent person. I may risk an officer’s life to save a savable first responder. I will not risk an officer’s life to save the life of a suspect.
No help for the helper?
My friend responded to a downed officer last year and his efforts kept the officer alive one day so his family could be with him. My friend has not had any help from the department in dealing with the stress involved. Officers involved in these things need mental health help for a longer time than most departments are giving.
“The will to stay alive in that dark moment” ?
I knew this job was dangerous when I took it. Any officer who is not in touch with the fact that they may have to die trying to save someone else needs to step back and take a hard look at why they are here.
Police work is a calling from a higher authority, not just a way to make a living. When an officer needs help, they have to know that they will get it from those they work side by side with on a daily basis. This is what gives you the will to stay alive in that dark moment. Just knowing there are others who will do what it takes to get you to safety is the greatest survival tool you can have when you are down and unable to move.
“Even if it’s an obvious suicide mission…”?
I am not about to let a fellow officer die. Even if it’s an obvious suicide mission, I will nevertheless make the attempt to save them. Without any training, my tools available (handgun) will be used to keep the suspect “busy” while I make my attempt. God be with me after that.
Ever hear this administrative response before?
I attempted to get permission to attend downed-officer rescue training to bring back to our agency, but was denied.

Newsletter member Lou Ann Hamblin teaches a pistol class at the IALEFI Annual Training Conference in West Palm Beach earlier this month.

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Chief-Got a question for you. I am in the process of ordering this years supply of .223 ammo and I have heard some things through various people that I wanted to ask your opinion on. We currently are carrying 62 gr for operations and I’m hearing that a study or studies were done and the powers to be are now recommending going with a higher grain, 72-75, for operational ammo. Have you seen anything on this or do you have any literature to support this? Thanks for any help you can provide.

Sgt. Philip Cain PCain@cityofmyrtlebeach.com

Myrtle Beach Police Department

1101 Oak St

Myrtle Beach SC 29577

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D.C.: Bill eyes cameras on cops’ guns. D.C. shooting spurs reintroduction of move opposed by police http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/jun/18/bill-eyes-cameras-on-cops-guns/

Arizona: The American Medical Association released a new report calling for more research on the use of Tasers. http://www.kpho.com/news/19783665/detail.html

Pennsylvania: Tribute to slain trooper http://www.wnep.com/misc/wnep-trooper-miller,0,7680280.story

Detroit: Heart condition, Taser shock caused Detroit teen’s death http://www.freep.com/article/20090618/NEWS04/906180447/1006/NEWS/Heart+condition++Taser+shock+caused+Detroit+teen+s+death

California: Coroner’s report in shooting by Folsom police shows Tasers possibly ineffective http://www.sacbee.com/crime/story/1956503.html

Australia: Man shot up to 28 times with Taser by Australian police http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/article6525760.ece

Pennsylvania: 2 charged in shooting of Philly officer http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20090618_Two_charged_after_shootouts_that_wounded_Phila__officer.html

Greece: Greek anti-terror officer shot dead in attack http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jnsOsaAwdxr1sag-YdwcMBTXH5MAD98SDGGO0

Pennsylvania: Scranton’s police chief said the department will make changes in the wake of the shooting of a mentally ill woman by officers. http://www.wnep.com/wnep-scr-officers-back-on-beat,0,5737360.story

California: Former officer’s beloved search-and-rescue dog lives on in five clones http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/arts/la-me-clone-dog18-2009jun18,0,693441.story

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This arrest was made by the North Miami Beach S.R.T. / Aventura S.W.A.T. Mutual Aid Team in conjunction with F.D.L.E.  They crashed out and rammed three of our take-down vehicles, and then tried to flee.  TRIED is the key word of that phrase.  No Officers were injured, however, the four subjects required medical attention, and two a prolonged stay at Ward-D, due to their actions in this case.  If you have had an outbreak of burglaries in your area of this nature, give me a call at 305-525-2593, and I will get you in touch with the F.D.L.E. investigators working this ring.  All of the subjects are in their early to late 20’s and all are career criminals, and have been known to bring firearms.  In instance, a shotgun was pointed at responding officers from a neighboring jurisdiction and they were able to flee.  A big thank you to our mutual aid SRT / SWAT Team brothers on Aventura SWAT and Aventura K-9 for assisting us with this operation.

Smash-and-grab burglary suspects nabbed in N. Miami Beach

By Juan Ortega | South Florida Sun-Sentinel

1:18 PM EDT, June 16, 2009

NORTH MIAMI BEACH - Police say four men were arrested and charged this morning with smashing into a North Miami Beach video-game store, burglarizing it and ramming three unmarked police cars in an attempt to flee.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement received a tip that burglars would use stolen vehicles to plow into the Game Stop, at 13631 Biscayne Blvd., and steal merchandise. FDLE alerted North Miami Beach police, who staked out the business.

Burglars inside two stolen vehicles arrived and drove to the rear of the store at 5:03 a.m. They used the cars to break in. When police tried to nab them, the burglars tried to flee and rammed three police cars, police said.

Still, police caught them.

Police arrested Christopher Jackson, 23, Josue Carius, 24, Tyis Smith, 28, and Keith Wromas, 28. Each was charged with burglary, having burglary tools, aggravating battery of a law enforcement officer and aggravated fleeing of a law enforcement officer.

The pre-dawn heist is the latest at dozens of businesses - from Miami-Dade to Palm Beach County - that have fallen victim to brazen burglars who target closed stores and often work in groups.

They sometimes use vehicles to smash into doors or just tear them off their hinges.

Detective Lino Diaz Nelson.Reyes@nmbpd.org

Crime Suppression Team

North Miami Beach Police Department

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Possible Gang Related Incident in Asheville, NC

I received this e mail and wanted pass along this incident for info & officer safety… Sgt. Alan Franks, franks_alan@mail.chattanooga.gov

From: Dills, Gregory B.  gbdills@NCSHP.ORG
Sent: Thu 5/21/2009 9:58 AM
To: Michael Lamb
Subject: Traffic Stop’s/ Caution/ Warning

Mike,

I would like to let you know what happened to Trooper Rocky Deitz on Tuesday night of this week during a traffic stop involving some local people.

Trp. Deitz attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a burgundy colored Chevy Tahoe because the passenger (unknown at this time) was not wearing a seatbelt. This occurred on US 19 @ NC 112 in west Asheville.

As Trp. Deitz initiated the stop, both the driver (Randy Topez Stewart) and the passenger picked up their cell phones and began calling their ” Friends” and giving them the location of the stop. The driver then took off his seatbelt. The Tahoe turned into the Westridge Shopping Center near the Sonic and came to a quick stop. The passenger jumped and run heading back toward US 19 and down to the RXR tracks where he disappeared. The driver then attempted to get out of the vehicle. Trp. Deitz engaged him and proned him out on the ground. As Trp. Deitz began to handcuff the driver, a Burgundy Chevy Suburban pulled into the parking area with a black male passenger (Anterrius Dishun Stewart) holding on the side of the vehicle and standing on the running board.

As the vehicle closed in on Trp. Deitz the male subject tried to lunge toward Trp. Deitz, however his attempt was unsuccessful because the driver turned at the wrong time sending the guy tumbling on the ground. The male subject then jumped up and began moving toward Trp. Deitz telling him he was going to “Fuck him up.” The black female driver (Magot H. Ponder) then exited the vehicle and began approaching Trp. Deitz yelling and threaten him also.

A second vehicle (a White Ford Explorer) then pulled in front of Trp. Deitz and a black male (Lester A. Davis) and black female (Joyce Ponder Jenkins) got out and began approaching Trp. Deitz as well. Trp. Deitz responded by using the appropriate force to back them off. He then called for help. Fortunately several of us were in the immediate area and were able to get there within seconds and take all of the suspects into custody except for the jump and run.

This looks like a Gang Tactic to try and either attack an officer or try to intimidate an officer into backing away so that they can rescue their friend and/or drug or gun shipment. We did not recover any weapons or drugs from the vehicles nor was a weapon displayed at Trp. Deitz. It is believed that if anything was there that it went with the RUNNER. We think that the Runner was picked up by someone else from this group.

The violators in this case are as follows:

Driver of Chevy Tahoe, Randy Topez Stewart, of147 Brooks Cove Rd., Candler, NC 28715.  Charged with Resist, Delay and Obstruct.

Driver of the Chevrolet Suburban, Magot Hueguette Ponder, of 122 French Dr. Candler, NC 28715. DOB 02/15/1965 Charged with Resist, Delay and Obstruct, Careless and Reckless driving, and being a fugitive from another state. Incarcerated in the Buncombe County Jail and placed under a $ 40,000.00 secured bond.

The passenger of the Chevrolet Suburban, Anterrius Dishun Stewart of 4 Allentown LN. Candler NC 28715 DOB 03/26/1976. Charged with Resist, delay, and obstruct. Incarcerated in the Buncombe County Jail and placed under a $ 1,000.00 secured bond.

Driver of the Ford Explorer, Joyce Ponder Jenkins of 19 Stewart St. Apt C, Asheville NC 28806. DOB 12/18/1970 Charged with Resist, delay, and obstruct. Incarcerated in the Buncombe County Jail, and placed under a $ 1,000.00 secured bond.

The passenger of Ford Explorer,  Lester Arthur Davis, of 19 Stewart St. Apt C, Asheville NC 28806. DOB 06/03/1968. Charged with Resist delay, and obstruct. Incarcerated in the Buncombe County Jail, and placed under a $ 1,000.00 secured bond.

I ask that you keep this within the LEO community. I’m not sure if you are familiar with these people are not. If so please let me know so that I can pass it along to my guy’s. Thanks.

Sergeant Gregory B. Dills
North Carolina Highway Patrol
Troop G District 4
Asheville, NC 28805
(828) 298-4256 (Office)
(828) 273-3339 (cell)
gbdills@ncshp.org

A photo of my little puppy, Leo from this weekend. He is 17 months old this week

and weighs 90 pounds.

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