Safariland Blog

A Better Mouse Trap

eric.schellhorn@baesystems.com (Eric Schellhorn) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:44:00 -0500

As a manufacturer and distributor with more than 3,000 products in our forensics product line, one of the greatest challenges we face is anticipating customer needs and developing new, useful, and competitively priced products to meet those requirements. These new products may provide technological advances, increase efficiency, package useful items in a new or innovative way, or may even present the “better mousetrap”, a simple or novel solution to a unique problem or challenge.

We receive product ideas from many sources, including manufacturers, inventors, distributors, academics, and, of course, customers. We then utilize a variety of processes to vet ideas and products that come to our attention. We research the concepts; search for comparable products in the marketplace; ask experts for their opinions; and, whenever possible, prototype products to show to our customers to gain their insights first hand.

Still, sometimes the most interesting feedback we receive comes to us when we are least looking for it. I answered the phone recently and was greeted by a medical equipment rep with a special request. She wanted permission to promote one of our Identicator products to her customers (our PreScan® Fingerprint Enhancers). Ah, every marketer’s dream!

Her company sells secure drug dispensing cabinets for emergency rooms that are only accessible by fingerprint scan. The problem is that nurses wash their hands so frequently as part of their safety protocols that their print details are often obscured. As you might expect: poor print, no access. The rep learned through some of her contacts that our PreScan® product greatly enhances fingerprint details and allows nurses to consistently open the cabinet’s locking system.

Interestingly, our inexpensive fingerprinting pad now serves as the security key to a cabinet system costing tens of thousands of dollars.

This is exactly the functionality we promote in our product, but we never envisioned this unique medical application. No other medical equipment companies have been beating a path to my door since that call, but I am definitely keeping my eyes and ears open to the likelihood that there are other customers for our products out there that I just haven’t heard from yet.

Defensive Fighting Positions – Enhancing Perimeter Protection

geoff.patti@baesystems.com (Geoff Patti) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 11:59:00 -0500

Armored Fighting Positions are commonly called Defensive Fighting Positions and can be utilized for all types of security applications. From frontline checkpoints to extending out to the perimeter, these structures afford personnel protection against various levels of ballistic and/or fragmentation threats.

Typically made from armor plate, these products feature gunports for return fire as well as transparent armor viewports for increased visibility. And, producing them in customized configurations offers flexibility relative to coverage, deployment methods, and fields of fire.

Security applications include:

Replacement of sandbags and/or concrete
Hardening of existing infrastructure
Checkpoints and guard posts
Supplemental guard house security
Naval ship gunner protection
Border crossings
Temporary security positions
Elevated (rooftop) security

Further versatility exists by producing them in either fully pre-fabricated versions, lightweight composite systems or modular kits, with the added option of mobile or fixed in place variants.

More information on these types of fighting positions can be found at www.protecharmored.com

Machine Guns and Memory Lane

eric.schellhorn@baesystems.com (Eric Schellhorn) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 13:06:00 -0500

As a former Army officer assigned to an M1 tank battalion, I spent a lot of time around M2 (“Ma Deuce”) .50 Cal Heavy Barrel Machine Guns and became intimately familiar with their operation and capabilities. I shot them out to 2000 meters against both “soft” targets like trucks and “hard” targets like old armored vehicles. There’s nothing quite as exciting as seeing the splash of a .50 cal tracer round hitting an old half track in the middle of the night.

It must have made an impression on me – I still have an M2 headspace-and-timing gauge in my jewelry box twenty years later (this unique little tool means the difference between the gun spitting out bullets or just serving as a very large paperweight and currently sells for up to $100 on E-Bay).

So, where is this stroll down memory lane leading? I just received a great presentation (attached) from one of our Forensics Source salesmen, Dick Rogers, based out of Arizona. Dick had the unique opportunity to take one of the heavy-duty Bullet Catchers manufactured by our company to a range in Buckeye, AZ to test its integrity against a M2 machine gun!

According to Dick, most every ballistics expert on the range was convinced the .50 cal round would blow right through our Bullet Catcher and exit out the back. While that might not have been the worst thing to happen (thankfully, law enforcement agencies don’t have much need to shoot .50 cal machine guns for ballistic comparison), Dick took that challenge as a point of honor and assured all in attendance that our Bullet Catcher was up to the task.

Well, you will note from the presentation below (as we did with pride) that not only did the rounds fired into the Bullet Catcher not penetrate the back of the chamber, the projectiles themselves were well preserved by the chamber’s Kevlar® fibers and the equipment survived intact. The Bullet Catcher looks very little worse for the wear with only a few dents and some chipped paint. Pretty impressive considering that the bullet was moving at over 2800 feet per second and was fired from only a few meters away!

Now I know why the guys in the plant use a fork truck to move these things around – lots of steel. I’m thrilled that the equipment performed so well and that Dick got some great pictures to document the event, but I’ll probably never forgive him for not inviting me out to play with the machine gun.

To Catch a .50 BMG Bullet

The 5 Most Interesting Law Enforcement Podcasts

max.leaver@baesystems.com (mleaver) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 12:44:00 -0500

Regardless of your role in law enforcement, there is always a need for more knowledge. However, finding good information on the internet can often be a difficult and time consuming process.

Luckily, over the past few years, Podcasts have become a great way to get information on-demand easily. Below are my top 5 law enforcement podcasts.

CopCast.net is an irreverent weekly podcast “for cops, by cops” discussing the latest in news and tech in law enforcement.

The U.S. Federal Law Enforcement Training Center produces several free podcasts with tips and techniques across the law enforcement spectrum, from proper evidence handling to interrogation techniques to officer liability.

Inside the NYPD is the official podcast of the New York City Police Department. It features updates on high-profile incidents (for instance, interviews with the first responders to the January 15, 2009 US Airways plane crash in the Hudson River), crime prevention tips for the general public and happenings and updates in the department.

Another agency podcast, Inside the FBI is the official podcast of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Each week, the podcast covers tips and techniques for both law enforcement and the general public, items of historic interest and happenings within the Bureau.

One of the few law enforcement podcasts available in both audio and video formats, CrimeTime is a discussion-style podcast featuring a panel of guests from across the law enforcement spectrum. Topics range from how the latest news effects law enforcement to proper techniques and tactics.

So, which podcasts do you listen to?

Always Look for the Glove Rating

dani.deyton@baesystems.com (Dani Deyton) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 16:30:00 -0500

How will you know for sure if your cut resistant gloves will protect you?

You can reduce the risk of cuts using innovative technologies, advanced materials and scientifically enhanced products, but there are no guarantees when it comes to protective products.

Luckily you can measure cut resistance. The European Committee for Standardization (CEN) has developed a standard (CE EN 388) for all protective gloves used in law enforcement and military. This standard puts the gloves through torturous tests. These tests include abrasion, blade cuts, punctures, tear, impact and dexterity.

From these tests, the gloves are given a rating ranging from Level 1 (the least protection) to Level 5 (the toughest protection). I really can’t stress just how important it is to check this rating. Don’t be fooled by companies who self-certify their own gloves, skip the rating or only display the CEN-certified logo rather than the rating. Self-certification only ensures there are no harmful chemicals in the gloves.

The best protection you have is to check the rating and ensure it meets the standards for your circumstances.

Don't Waste Ammo

matt.j.foster@baesystems.com (Matt Foster) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 11:10:00 -0500

Unless you just woke up from a cryogenic freeze, you know there’s an ammo shortage right now.

Either we need to shoot or want to shoot, so regardless of the shortage we’re going to use some of our precious ammo. That doesn’t mean we should waste any though, because it might be a while before you can replace what you use. Here’s couple of things to keep in mind so you don’t waste any.

If you’re planning on zeroing your firearm, be sure everything is tightened down first. There’s no need to sight it in, then tighten rings, bases, sights, forearms, stocks or any other part that is just going to make you have to shoot some more to reconfirm the zero you just established. Tighten everything you can before shooting any ammo. If your gun is zeroed and you don’t plan on making any adjustments, fine, leave it alone. Otherwise, do this now. As mentioned in a previous blog post, this is why I always have one of our Gunsmithing Screwdriver kits in my range bag.

Clean your weapon. Again, if you’re going to zero the weapon or make adjustments, now is the time to thoroughly clean it, not afterward. If you zero your gun, then thoroughly clean it, you’ll probably feel compelled to reconfirm your zero, thus wasting ammo. You still may end up shooting a lot of ammo (in which case you’re very lucky), and you’ll have to clean it anyway, but you will maintain a more consistent zero if you clean your weapon first.

Heroin and TATP: A Recipe for Disaster?

eric.schellhorn@baesystems.com (Eric Schellhorn) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 08:05:00 -0500

There has been some concern within the Law Enforcement Community recently about drug traffickers cutting raw heroin with a variety of peroxide-based substances. While this sounds fairly innocuous, a basic understanding of the chemistry used in most LE drug test kits will tell you that mixing the acid-based chemical test reagents with peroxide-based compounds results in the release of sulfuric acid which is highly corrosive and can cause burns. We issued a Safety Alert to the community on November 14th advising officers to be cautious about field testing heroin from unknown sources due to the possibility of test pouches rupturing during the chemical reaction, potentially injuring the officer.

One of the most interesting aspects of this trend was the riddle surrounding the composition of the cutting agents. I personally called and spoke with an officer who had a test pouch rupture during the testing process. His lab confirmed that the cutting agent was brick dust, a peroxide-based compound used in cosmetics and other benign applications. There have also been a number of unconfirmed reports that TATP, an explosive and peroxide-based compound, has been used to cut heroin. Now, I’m no scientist or drug addict, but I wonder about the logic of cutting narcotics with an explosive compound. Sounds like a recipe for disaster.

Mr. Jake Bohi, of the Homeland Defense Bureau (Bomb Squad) recently published an article using research from the Phoenix PD where they conducted tests of manufactured TATP coming into contact with acids utilizing a variety of NIK and ODV narcotics test kits provided by Forensics Source. I won’t delve into the details of the testing protocols (the details have been published in the January/February edition of The Detonator, Volume 36, Number 1), but the results published by the Phoenix PD can be quickly summarized as follows:

Some kits were more sensitive than others, but if you follow the instructions and use the amount of material recommended by the manufacturer, you will be fine.
Kits that contained only weak acid solutions or water based solutions did not react with the organic peroxide at all.
Results emphasized that only small amounts of product are needed to field test drugs and using larger amounts than the manufacturers recommend may be dangerous.
Training law enforcement officers how to use drug test kits is crucial.

We still don’t know if anyone is really crazy enough to cut heroin with explosive TATP, but at least if they do, we have more confidence than ever that following proper training and protocols will keep officers safe.

It's All About Fit...

pennington.way@baesystems.com (Pennington Way) — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 15:26:00 -0500

Let’s talk about body armor fit and coverage. As we all know, body armor panels and carriers come in many different shapes, sizes, and comfort levels. Today, I want to specifically talk about a few key things you should consider when selecting a vest and getting properly sized.

Your department or agency has probably dictated what ballistic threat level you need to wear on duty and may have even told which manufacturer’s model you will be wearing. Now your questions and analysis should be focused on torso coverage when issued or purchasing custom-sized body armor. When being sized, wearers should demand a two-inch, front-to-back panel overlap to help prevent rounds from ‘slipping in’ during a side angle or to the back.

Next, make sure that there is enough coverage on your sides. While the two-inch side overlap ensures increased protection, make sure the sides rise high enough under the arm to protect the sensitive armpit region. If the panels are too high, they will most likely cause chaffing and rubbing when you move your arms. If the panels are too low below the armpit region, you are unnecessarily sacrificing some torso coverage.

Finally, it is important to keep a one- to two-inch gap between the top of your duty gear belt and the bottom of your vest. This helps ensure that there is enough room for the vest to shift when you are in the sitting position and stops your armor from pushing up towards your neck and throat. Also, when you body armor and duty gear are in frequent contact, the vest could potentially suffer unintended wear, rubbing, or creasing that can affect the panel covering and ballistic materials over time.

Feel free to discuss these issues with your equipment provider or manufacturer’s representative. Remember, asking questions and playing an active role in vest selection should never be criticized!

SWAT Hands

michael.finley@baesystems.com (Mike Finley) — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 08:27:00 -0500

In looking at a typical law enforcement officer, it is difficult to distinguish whether that officer is a SWAT officer, or a patrol officer. You can’t go by their physique; even the officer working in the Auto Pound works out. You can’t go with the gait, (or as non-SWAT people call it, the “arrogant strut”); there are quite a few officers that possess more than their fare share of arrogance. You sure can’t determine if an officer is a SWAT officer or not by the holstered hair dryer; more and more officers these days are concerned with how they look. Really, there is only one way to determine if an officer is a “playa” or a “wannabe”….and that is...SWAT Hands.

SWAT Hands are a phenomena that is international in scale. No one is quite sure who came up with SWAT Hands, or how long it has been around. But SWAT officers around the world know another SWAT officer when they see them exhibit “SWAT Hands”. (This also applies to Military SpecOps.)

People familiar with Fighter Pilots know they talk with their hands. They demonstrate their air maneuvers by showing their position and their enemy’s positions by displaying them with their hands. SWAT officers are similar by nature. Think about it, how many times can you, as the SWAT officer, talk about an entry and not use SWAT Hands. Not so easy, is it?

Now I am not saying that SWAT Hands are bad. They serve a valuable service. How else are the guys you are talking with know which way you were making an entry. They know you weren’t the rear guard. They know you weren’t the “pack mule”. They know you weren’t a Sniper (otherwise known as a “Placekicker”) on the perimeter. They know, just from your gestures alone that you were facing the correct way and you made entry.

Face it. How else could you demonstrate how to put “hands on” someone while making an entry. Or coming from a “ready-gun” to “Sights” or to transition from a shoulder fired weapon to a handgun? It is the best gesture out there.

Proper SWAT Hands
There are some different variations so let’s take this opportunity to ensure everyone is on the same page.

HANDS – Hands must be flat, with fingers extended. They can be perpendicular or parallel to the ground.

POSITION – Your Support Hand/Arm (the hand on the stock of the long-gun) must be extended out, further away from the other hand. (For right - handed shooters, this would be your left hand/arm.)

Your Strong Hand/Arm (the one that pulls the trigger) must be retracted in somewhat. Your elbow would be bent but be careful not to have a “chicken wing.” Your body must be square up to the target. (no Weaver Stance. This is SWAT, remember?!!?)
Some variances are considered acceptable. The main one would be the position of the strong hand. The older SWAT guys would tell you that the Strong Hand has to be straight up and down perpendicular to the ground. However over the past few years, with gas mask training, it is acceptable to have a slight “cant” to the Strong Hand.

Proper Attire
In order to ensure you deliver the full impact of your SWAT Hands, it is important to have on the proper attire. Obviously, BDU’s are acceptable but when a SWAT officer is wearing BDU’s, they are either training or in an operation and there is no real reason to exhibit SWAT Hands. So the actual “Uniform” for exhibiting SWAT Hands are:

511 Pants. Preferably Khaki. This helps reinforce the image that you are truly indeed a SWAT officer.
Black rescue/rappel belt – Everyone knows that no one in the history of these belts has actually had to use them for a rescue, but hey, they look cool so don’t argue. You have to wear one.
Pager and Phone – These must be displayed prominently so that everyone will know that you are ready for the call to the “Big One”.
Wrap around sunglasses (Oakleys) Regardless of whether or not you are indoors, it is still a must, so wear them.
Knife – must be clipped to the pocket for everyone to see that you are a walking lethal weapon.
Footwear – black boots or something along the lines of Timberlands are acceptable. In either case, they must be waterproof. I don’t care if you are in the middle of the Outback, they have to be waterproof. It’s the rule.

However, with all great things, SWAT Hands must be used in moderation. Proper use of “SWAT Hands” includes:

Instructing a Class. There is no better time to use them. However, there must be a manageable “SWAT Hands” per hour ratio. If you are teaching an entry class, a Four (4) SWAT Hands per hour (4:1) ratio is acceptable. But if you are teaching a class on less-lethal, a 2:1 ratio is the norm.
Telling a war story. This is a great way to elaborate on your story. However, a word of caution: These stories are usually told in a bar so be careful not to knock your adult beverage over or your story will be long forgotten and your “cool” reputation will suffer.

How often can you use SWAT hands?

Rookies (5 years on SWAT or less) can only use them when relating their superhuman skills to non-SWAT officers. NEVER to a seasoned SWAT officer.

Seasoned officers can use SWAT Hands with anyone. Just make sure you use them to the greatest effectiveness.

Retired SWAT officers can use them sparingly. (See comment above about the bar.) Usually limited to once in a given day.

As with many things, overuse will ruin their effectiveness. Overuse will cause that SWAT Officer to be put on Double Secret Probation with the possibility of having his privilege of using them taken away and being classified as a “SWAT Dork”. Use them, but use them wisely.

Improper Uses of SWAT Hands

To gesture to your spouse which direction to head in the mall.
Using them while telling your neighbor which direction you head while mowing the grass.
Weaving your way through a crowded bar.
And of course, the granddaddy of them all, you never, ever use them if you have never been in SWAT.

Boats and Armor

geoff.patti@baesystems.com (Geoff Patti) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 11:08:00 -0500

In years past, the words, "boat" and "armor" were rarely used in the same sentence. Since 9/11 this has changed dramatically. With the threat of waterborne terrorist attacks ever so existent, ballistic protection is rapidly becoming a part of every day security requirements.

From vehicle (marine craft) -borne IED’s to small arms weaponry, military, law enforcement and security personnel are becoming more frequently engaged in hostile environments here in the homeland as well as abroad.

Also growing is the constant growing threat of piracy. In 2008 alone, pirates attacked over 100 ships, hijacking some 49 of them, resulting in paid ransoms in the tens of millions of dollars, as well as human casualties.

When considering protection for small marine craft or large vessels it is important to weigh in on the broad spectrum of ballistic and blast threats existent in today’s marine environment; and to ensure safe passage in a dangerous world.