NewsletterSeptember 5, 2013
in this issue
Law Enforcement Militarization
Gathering Intel for Dynamic Entries
Police Union Activism or Protection Racket?
Problems with Glock Pistols: Misfires During Training Exercises

Welcome to the Policetraining.net Newsletter

In this issue we continue to bring you important training topics of current interest. 


Thanks for subscribing, and please forward this along to a law enforcement collegue you think may benefit. 


- Sponsored By -

Law Enforcement Militarization
 
BY FRANK BORELLI
 
Reprinted from Officer.com 
 
Last week I got an email asking me my opinion about the militarization of law enforcement today. Then a few days ago I saw an article in the Wall Street Journal about the same topic. It seems that some people are concerned about the creation of a police state through the steady evolution of police and sheriff's officers/deputies into domestic soldiers. The timing for the email and the article (for me) were perfect because I've been working on a project that centers around this very subject, and here's my quick, simple response as to whether or not it's a concern: Not at all. As long as our law enforcement professionals operate under the controls of the Constitution, it doesn't matter how they dress or what equipment they use. Let me explain... 
 
First, understand that a professional appearance is expected out of everyone in both fields of endeavor - and that makes sense. If you wear a uniform you should invest time daily to insure that you are fit. That means your physique will be better than the average person's. That matters because your body and mind are your first and most important weapons in any conflict. No, I'm not saying police officers are all "weapons" first, but reality is that they can find themselves either under attack or having to act aggressively to protect and defend innocents, so being fit is necessary. Soldiers, no matter what their job, are in a career that may put them in harm's way so being in shape is equally mandatory. This commonality of physical fitness combined with a clean cut grooming gives those in both fields a similar appearance.
 
 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A Message From Our Sponsor ~~~~~~~~~~~~~  

 

 

American Military University is a leading online education provider to the law enforcement community, offering more than 87 different undergraduate and graduate degree programs in areas beyond criminal justice, such as intelligence studies, homeland security, emergency and disaster management, public administration, and management. AMU maintains active education partnerships with the National Fraternal Order of Police, FBI National Academy, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, Los Angeles Police Department, and Southern Police Institute. If education is an incentive or requirement within your department, contact AMU today to find out if your academy or in-service training qualifies you for credits that may place you closer than you think toward earning your degree. 
 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  

Gathering Intel for Dynamic Entries

 

Consider this scenario, and respond with your proposed plan of action.

 

by Bob Parker

 

Reprinted from Police Magazine

 

The Evansville (Ind.) Police Department's SWAT team raided a home in late June. Instead of finding the suspect who threatened officers online, team members came face to face with an 18-year-old and her grandmother.

Prior to the entry, officers performed a cursory knock and announce and deployed two noise flash diversion devices. A storm door was smashed. A television news crew was even invited along to record the warrant service.

Evansville commanders ordered the entry after discovering the anonymous threats on a Web forum. The suspect had allegedly threatened officers and their family members, writing that they would feel his pain. His threat included the use of explosives.

Investigators traced an Internet Protocol (IP) address to the address of the target residence, which had an unsecured Wi-Fi network. Anyone with a smart phone or computer within a reasonable distance could connect to the network. Apparently, not much more investigation was done to bolster the probable cause for the warrant.

 

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A Message From Our Sponsor ~~~~~~~~~~~~~  

 

 

 

 

Earn your Bachelor of Science (BS) in Criminal Justice or Master of Science (MS) in Criminal Justice from the online college that awards more credit for police, military, and other law enforcement training than other schools. These programs are 100% online, so you can earn a criminal justice degree while you earn a living. Choose from a variety of concentrations, such as: administration of criminal justice; homeland security; homeland security and emergency management; and law enforcement and public safety. Transfer up to 116 credits toward your Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, or up to 15 credits toward your Master of Science in Criminal Justice. Regionally accredited and nonprofit. Get your free program guide.

 

learn more >

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Police Union Activism or Protection Racket?

 

How far should police unions go to protect collective bargaining?

 

By Val Van Brocklin

 

The situation.

 

There was quite the brouhaha in Wisconsin during the summer of 2011. Sparked by the Governor, the state legislature passed a bill that stripped unions of most of their collective bargaining rights.

The Governor claimed the measure was needed to help fix the state's budget -- this after the unions had agreed to wage cuts and increased worker contributions to insurance and pension plans. The unions decried it was union busting and pledged to fight the bill in the courts, the streets, and by recall election. A divided state Supreme Court voted 4:3 to uphold the bill. Interestingly for our discussion, police officers and fire fighters were exempted. That's the basis of the remaining public employees' ongoing challenge of the bill in federal court - that it discriminates amongst public employees.

 

The response from police.

 

Police and firefighters joined the impacted employees in fighting the bill. They were possibly fueled by a concern that they were next -- as evidenced by a bill introduced state Rep. Bob Ziegelbauer that would have eliminated their collective bargaining rights on pension and health care benefits

 

 
 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A Message From Our Sponsor ~~~~~~~~~~~~~  

 

 

University of Management and Technology Offers Affordable & Convenient Online Degrees in CJ & HS  

 

The University of Management and Technology (UMT) has Associate, Bachelor and Master degree programs available for working professionals interested in pursuing or advancing their careers in Criminal Justice or Homeland Security. UMT offers online courses that are at the cutting edge of what is available in the CJ and HS disciplines. Given the rapidly changing environment in these areas, a degree is often crucial for a law enforcement or homeland security professional to have a chance to stand out among the competition. All degree programs in the CJ and HS disciplines at UMT are part of the CCAF AU-ABC designation. UMT is a strategic partner of Defense Acquisition University and an LOI school in the GoArmyEd system. Additionally, UMT was once again named a "Military-Friendly University" by Military Advanced Education and a "2013 Military Friendly School" by G.I. Jobs for the 3rd straight year. With affordable and convenient online education and 24/7 course access, our degree programs enable working professionals to balance work and life in a challenging and mobile environment. Transfer up to 75% of the required hours for an undergraduate or 50% for a graduate degree. Federal Financial Aid and Sallie Mae Loans are available. $3 million in UMT Military Scholarships are budgeted for military personnel, veterans and spouses of active-duty service members in 2013.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Problems with Glock Pistols: Misfires During Training Exercises

On May 13, CBS4 news reported that the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Department (PBSO) had experienced a number of misfires with their Glock semi-automatic handguns as well as some of their 9mm pistols. The incidents reported had occurred only during training sessions and not when the guns were fired in the field.

As part of the article, the news agency revealed a confidential sheriff's department document that outlined a series of incidents in which problems with the Glock firing pin had caused the gun to malfunction and not fire. When the PBSO department armorer tore down the pistols that misfired, he found that the firing pins were cracked or chipped in every case where there was a misfire, according to the article.

The Cause of the Problem
While there was speculation that the firing pin metal was not of the quality it should be, the problem turned out to be with the ammunition. The department was using "non-toxic" ammunition as practice ammo. Since many police ranges are indoors, the fired ammunition residue could potentially affect a person's health, therefore, the department (like many agencies) used non-toxic ammo, which is different than duty ammo.

Read more about this incident and learn how the department addressed this issue.

Have you heard of similar incidents? Was there a different outcome or solution? Join in the conversation now. 

 



Law Enforcement Magazines
 

 

 
Law & Order Magazine  The Counter Terrorist Police Magazine Police & Security News  American Police Beat

View a list of law enforcement training offered throughout the country.