MENU
SEARCH
The 2011 candlelight vigil during National Police Week in Washington, D.C., drew up to 20,000 officers, police survivors, dignitaries, and other law enforcement supporters to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial for the reading of 316 names added to the wall this year. The vigil is organized by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF).
To honor their sacrifice, the names of 316 law enforcement officers were engraved onto the marble walls of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. The men and women who served their communities as officers, deputies, troopers and agents were honored during National Police Week, and well-wishers came to pay homage to their memories by leaving notes, photos, duty gear and other personal items. View the tributes.
Ted Saraf's strong memories of his rolling office as a young officer with the Pasadena (Calif.) Police Department led him to Texas in 2008 to find and restore the object of his affection—a 1968 Dodge Coronet. Saraf purchased the vehicle via eBay, and set out to lovingly restore it to how he remembered it during its service days in the late 1960s and '70s. Saraf brought the vehicle to the 2011 Police Fleet Expo to show attendees his finished work.
The Kimber Solo Carry pocket pistol fits into the palm of your hand and weighs only 17 ounces, making it very easily concealed. What makes the pistol noteworthy is that it's chambered in 9mm rather than .380 ACP or .38 Special. Here are additional photos of the gun, and be sure to read our "Arsenal" review, "Kimber Solo Carry Pistol."
Ford's Police Interceptor Utility is currently a prototype, and the automaker is still refining the vehicle for a scheduled 2012 model-year release. Ford is releasing the special-service vehicle based on the Ford Explorer, which was relaunched for civilians in 2011. However, this pursuit-rated utility has been specially designed for law enforcement. It will be built in Chicago and is equipped with a 3.5-liter V-6 engine rated to deliver at least 280 hp.
TASER has unveiled its double-barreled X2 electronic control device (ECD) that offers follow-up shot capability for initial missed shots. It also includes dual lasers for improved accuracy, an enhanced power magazine enabling more than 500 firings, and a warning arc to help keep conflicts from escalating.
Ruger's SR40 duty pistol may be the first semi-auto from the company that could catch on with law enforcement officers. Ruger introduced the first striker-fired polymer pistol, the SR9, in 2007. Because .40-caliber S&W is the leading duty ammo in law enforcement, the company introduced a pistol to compete in this realm. In his "Arsenal" review in the March issue of POLICE Magazine, Paul Scarlata called the SR40 a "a pleasingly accurate pistol."
The federal government's 1033 program allows law enforcement agencies to acquire special vehicles such as an amphibious LAV, Humvee, MRAP, patrol boat, helicopter or even a landing craft for specialized missions. The agencies acquire the vehicles via the federal Law Enforcement Support Office (LESO). Photos are courtesy of LESO.
Law enforcement officers usually get to drive "sportier" cars for community relations activities, parades or other warm-weather events. The Bloomfield (Mich.) Police Department, because of a special relationship with General Motors, can call to duty a Chevrolet Corvette, Cadillac CTS Sport, HRR, or Cadillac XLR-V. For more on the vehicles, read the article, "Sporty Police Cars."
From the Vault: POLICE Magazine featured the article, "Why I Joined the Bomb Squad," in its September 2008 issue and the topic is just as relevant today. Mexican drug cartels have used car bombs in Juarez, and San Diego deputies supervised the burning of a "bomb factory" house in December. Joining an agency's bomb squad is a career path most people, even cops, consider crazy. Det. Dave Scraggs explains his reason — the threat is prevalent. Photos courtesy of Det. Scraggs.
Pinellas County (Fla.) Sheriff's Sgt. Raymond Fleming was among the deputies who pursued Kentin Dion Brooks during his campaign of vehicular terror. Dep. Jeffrey Newman performed the PIT maneuver on the black Mustang, and then Brooks opened up on the officers with a 9mm handgun from behind tinted windows. Deputies fired 39 rounds, ending the shoreline gunfight northwest of St. Petersburg. Read the full story in our "Shot Fired: Pinellas County, Florida 10/28/2009." Photos are courtesy of PCSO.