Special Units: Page 389

Charlotte Federal Anti-Gang Office Established

A permanent federal anti-gang office will open in Charlotte by the end of the summer, U.S. Rep. Sue Myrick announced Wednesday.

Rifle Optics

When it comes to gear and gadgets for duty applications, many of us are drawn to the coolest, most expensive items. That's true of weapons and it's true of weapon accessories such as optics. But what's more important is to find the right optics to fit your mission. Options include red dot sights, variable focal length short scopes often used on shotguns, and of course true precision scopes meant for use on a precision rifle.

At engagement distances from a few yards out to 50 yards, you cannot beat a red dot. When you are at contact distance to 10 yards, simply put the target in the tube of the sight and you will get a hit. By the way, this technique was developed by I.P.S.C. shooters, and their performance was the driving force behind the military adopting Aimpoint red dot sights.

Patrol and SWAT Rifles

Ever since the 1997 North Hollywood bank robbery and shootout, the popularity of rifles in patrol operations has exploded. Rifle manufacturers have capitalized on this demand, and they are now making a variety of rifles specifically designed for patrol and SWAT operations. Here's a quick look at some of the long guns now available for service in law enforcement.

The AP4 Panther Carbine from DPMS Panther Arms is an excellent basic patrol rifle built on an M4 platform. With a 16-inch chrome-moly-lined contour barrel, the AP4 is suitable for both close-quarter combat and counter-sniper applications. Other features include GlacierGuards hand guards, a flat top receiver with Picatinny rail, and a telescoping fiber-reinforced six-position buttstock.

Tactical Uniforms

Traditional BDUs (Battle Dress Uniforms) aren't nearly as common as they used to be. But the idea of wearing an alternative uniform that's combat ready-originally borrowed from the military-is more popular than ever, as evidenced by the assortment of new BDUs, tacpants, and jumpsuits available for law enforcement.

5.11's TDU Shirts are designed to exceed all MILSPEC requirements. Each features a covered placket, 5.11's patented hidden-document pockets, Velcro-closure chest pockets, and rear bi-swing shoulders. Elbows are double-reinforced and come with removable neoprene elbow pads. Like the pants, TDU shirts are triple-needle stitched and treated with Teflon. The shirt is available in long-sleeve, short-sleeve, and tall versions in either 6.14-ounce ripstop or 5.78-ounce twill. Also available in the TDU line is the 5.78-ounce poly-cotton twill TDU Jumpsuit. The design incorporates features like 5.11's hidden document pockets, BBS-compatible cargo pockets, removable knee and elbow pads, triple-stitching, and generous bartacking.

Woolrich Elite Series Tactical to Sponsor Corrections Training for Women

Woolrich Elite Series Tactical announced its sponsorship of the National Center for Corrections Special Operations (NCCSO) Corrections Officer Survival for Women program, the first training course addressing unique challenges that confront female corrections officers.

Mongols Ex-Leader Pleads Guilty to Racketeering, Faces 20 Years in Prison

Ruben "Doc" Cavazos, the former Mongols motorcycle gang leader indicted with 78 others last year for allegedly ordering murders, extortion, drug trafficking, and attacks on gang opponents, has pleaded guilty to a count of racketeering that could send him to prison for 20 years.

Sheriff Arpaio Won't Cooperate with Federal Inquiry

Joe Arpaio is done cooperating with the Department of Justice. The Maricopa County sheriff, whose agency became the subject of a federal Civil Rights Division investigation in March, announced at a news conference Tuesday that employees would no longer consent to interviews or allow investigators access to documents until the Department of Justice details the allegations against Arpaio's office and appoints attorneys to communicate with the county's counsel.

27 Seized in Second Phase of L.A.-Area Gang Sweep

Federal authorities on Wednesday announced the arrests of 11 additional members of the Varrio Hawaiian Gardens street gang, which is at the center of a massive racketeering case dubbed Operation Knock Out.

Walnut Creek PD Buys Generation IV Talon EOD/CBRNE Robot

QinetiQ North America’s Technology Solutions Group has announced that the Walnut Creek (Calif.) Police Department has purchased and taken delivery of a new Generation IV Talon EOD/CBRNE robot. Walnut Creek’s Talon is specially equipped for scenarios frequently encountered by police Bomb Squads as well as being able to respond to scenes that may involve other types of hazardous material or devices.

Alleged Gang Member Will Be Tried For Drive-by Murders

A San Francisco judge ordered a 22-year-old alleged gang member Monday to stand trial in the slaying of a father and his two sons, citing the testimony of a surviving family member who said he got a good look at the defendant's face as he opened fire on an Excelsior district street, SFGate.com reports.

Black Gang Tattoos

Gang members are usually decorated with the marking of their sets, super-gangs, and affiliated prison gangs. Their bodies are also often marked with tattoos that are generic prison symbols that you will find on just about any inmate. The following slide show is a quick look at some tattoos used by some predominately African-American gangs with origins in California.

The Black Guerrilla Family is a prison gang founded in 1966 by Black Panther George Jackson, while he was in San Quentin State Prison north of San Francisco. The gang is ideologically based with the stated goal of ending racism and overthrowing the U.S. government. The most obvious BGF tattoo is 'BGF.' You will also see the numbers '276,' with 2 representing 'B,' 7 representing 'G,' and 6 representing 'F.'

LEOs Earn Top Spots at FNH USA-Leupold Long Range Shooting Competition

After five full days of heated competition in extreme weather conditions, Officer Nate Mickle and PFC Rich McCampbell of the Baltimore County PD SWAT team took top overall team honors with 177 total points in the 2009 FNH USA - Leupold Long Range Precision Shooting Competition, which ended June 5th.

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