Archive for the ‘Police Procedure’ Category
New And Unusual Cop Stuff
Even cops have to keep up with the times. And to do so, the folks at the drawing boards must devise new products for use in the field. Here’s a peek at what’s rolling off the assembly lines these days.
Unlike traditional car seats, ABS Transport Seats offer room for elbows and handcuffed wrists. The ABS material makes clean up (with a garden hose) a breeze, too. You know, for those accidental bladder incidents, and the drunks who just can’t seem to hold their liquor, beer, pickles, pizza, cotton candy, hot dogs, and ice cream.
Toshiba makes the ultimate CopTop computer called the Portégé M780 Tablet PC. It’s even designed to take the rough and tumble activity that goes hand-in-hand with patrol work.
The Weather Tracker is a hand held weather monitoring device that also features a ballistics calculator. So, whichever way the wind blows a savvy shooter will always remain on target.
It’s a pen. No, it’s a weapon. Or, is it an evidence collection device? The answer is… all three. The UZI Tactical Pen is capable of note-taking and ticket-writing, but its specially designed top delivers a painful punch when used as a weapon. The top also collects torn flesh from the suspect for later DNA analysis, if needed.
Pro-Guard’s level II Ballistic Ticket Board is capable of stopping three rounds from a .357 at a distance of fifteen feet. The level I board can stop three 9mm rounds from the same distance. The board’s ergonomically placed handle also comes in handy.
Bust-A-Cap baton tips screw on the end of a standard ASP (expandable baton). Once in place the officer then may use the baton as a glass breaking tool for gaining entry to locked vehicles, etc. Perfect for rescuing trapped crash victims.
SafariLand’s Lightning Spray-On fingerprint powder is perfect for those hard-to-dust areas, such as ceilings and some vertical surfaces. The spray comes in all the traditional colors.
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Cops and Guns: Are You Using The Wrong Words To Describe Them?
You write about cops, private investigators, detectives, CSI techs, and federal agents. And you spend a lot of time researching. Lots of time. And a great deal of that valuable time is spent participating in citizens police academies, attending writers conferences, emailing cops and former cops, visiting police stations, and reading blogs, such as this one.
Sure, you want your details to be good. No, you want them to be fantastic, maybe even perfect. So why do we still see books with cop facts that are totally wrong, especially information and terminology regarding firearms and ammunition?
I won’t jump on the cordite bandwagon again (No, no, and no cordite!), but I will address the terminology that I often read in crime novels. That’s where a lot of the trouble begins. Starting with…
Shotgun v. Rifle
I see these two used interchangeably, and they’re not. Not even close. Yes, they’re both considered long guns, but a rifle has a barrel with spiraled grooves cut into it that cause the projectile (bullet) to spin (think a football thrown by a quarterback). The spinning increases accuracy and the distance the round can travel. Normally, shotgun barrels are not rifled.
Snipers use rifles, not shotguns.
A shotgun has a smooth barrel that’s designed to fire a shell containing several small pellets called shot. When fired, the shot spread out allowing a greater chance of hitting a target. However, a shotgun is basically accurate only at closer distances. But, hitting a moving target, or smaller targets, is much easier with a shotgun than with a rifle.
Officers make use of shotguns at distances of 75 yards and less (distances vary).
Handguns vs. Firearms vs. Pistols vs. Revolvers
I might create a little buzz with this one, but yes, there’s a difference between a pistol and revolver. A revolver is a handgun with a rotating cylinder that feeds ammunition, one bullet at a time, to its proper firing position each time the trigger is pulled. A revolver is a handgun, and it is a firearm.
A handgun, such as the ‘Glock or Sig Sauer, is actually a semi-automatic pistol. Ammunition is fed to the firing position by a spring-loaded magazine. A pistol is also a firearm.
Clip vs. Magazine
It’s a magazine that’s loaded with bullets and inserted into the pistol carried by your protagonists. A clip is actually something that stores ammunition and refills magazines. So please don’t confuse the two. Officers do not shove a fresh “clip” into their pistol when reloading. Magazine, magazine, magazine!
Ammunition
One round of ammunition is a cartridge.
Pistols, revolvers, and rifles do not fire shells.
Silly writer, shells are for shotguns…
The images and information below are from ATF’s website.
Handgun - Pistol
Note: This illustration shows the primary characteristics exhibited in the Pistol category. Since pistol configurations differ significantly, various models in this classification may exhibit any of the illustrated components in a revised configuration, but not necessarily all components shown will be incorporated in any one given design.
A diagram showing various parts of a pistol and their defined names: the muzzle, grip safety, ejection port, etc.
Handgun - Revolver
Note: This illustration shows the primary characteristics exhibited in the Revolver category. Since revolver configurations differ significantly, various models in this classification may exhibit any of the illustrated components in a revised configuration, but not necessarily all components shown will be incorporated in any one given design.
- A diagram showing various parts of a revolver and their defined names: the cylinder, ejector rod, hammer, etc.
*Notice*
- Only 23 days left until the Writers’ Police Academy! We still have room for you!
- Entries are pouring in for the 200 word short story contest. Have you sent yours? The deadline to enter is September 10. The Golden Donut Award sure would look nice sitting on your desk!
- TNT television is sponsoring an exciting contest to be held exclusively on The Graveyard Shift. Details coming soon! Prizes are really cool. Think Memphis Beat and Rizzolli and Isles. TNT is a sponsor of the Writers’ Police Academy. And, TNT Knows Drama!
