B5 Systems

Archive for the ‘LE’ Category

SOTECH Debuts Their Springnose Taser 10/7 Holster, Airborne Cobra and Light Infantry Suspension System

Friday, January 26th, 2024

SOTech will be unveiling an array of new product designs at SHOT Show this year.  We’ve spent the better part of 2023 conducting field tests and interviewing soldiers from the 82nd ABN, Ranger Regt, Special Forces and 25th ID developing our Light Infantry Suspension System, Airborne Cobra Pack, and medical systems.  These tests are culminating in review by the Army over upcoming months.  The LISS supports ensembles including rifleman, medic, leader, SAW gunner, grenadier and breacher which will be on display.  The jumpable arrangement of the Cobra pack and our new series of scrim and ruck covers will also be shown.  Come by booth 20059 to check them out, and if you can’t make it to SHOT, check them out in our catalogs at: sotechtactical.com/pages/catalogs   US Patents and Patents Pending

After dominating the soft-shell market for Axon Tasers for 25 years, SOTECH launches its first plastic holster.  Rather than adopting a pistol holster to a taser, SOTECH designed the Springnose TM around the features and requirements of both a Taser 7 and Taser 10.  We worked closely with LAPD Training Division to absorb their requirements and lessons learned.  We came up with a holster design that encompassed these features:

• Accessed with either strong hand or weekhand draw.

• Slim body design takes minimal space on the belt.

• Downward and rearward draw eliminates accidental weapon misidentification.

• Compressing taser against spring plate and rotating rearward provides quick draw.

• Extra retention strap with thumb snap is removable, and sewn semi rigid.

• Secondary weapon release provided by thumb depression of top hook.

• Officer can screw adjust to forward, vertical, or rearward cant.

• Officer can rearrange holster to right or left-hand wear.

• Field repairable as bottom cap is removable for access to spring compartment.

• Belt clip secures with unique inverted buttons.

• Belt clip fits 2 ¼ patrol belt and inner clip fits dress belts.

• Made in USA and US Patented and Patents Pending.

Email info@specopstech.com to request department test sample holster.

Indian River County Sheriff’s Office Fields FN 509 MRD-LE Pistols Agencywide

Tuesday, December 12th, 2023

(McLean, VA – December 12, 2023) FN America, LLC is pleased to announce that Indian River County Sheriff’s Office (IRCSO) of Vero Beach, Florida, has selected the FN 509® MRD-LE 9mm striker-fired pistol as their new sidearm and have issued the pistols to their more than 370 sworn deputies. The order was fulfilled through FN Law Enforcement Distributor, Dana Safety.

“We are extremely pleased to partner with Indian River County Sheriff’s Office as they field the FN 509 MRD-LE to their deputies,” said Doug Grier, Law Enforcement Business Development Director for FN America, LLC. “As they began their selection process, Indian River County Sheriff’s Office sought a new pistol that was safe and reliable for their officers to carry in the line of duty, along with a brand partner they could rely on. FN met those needs with our commitment to service and with a duty pistol designed for law enforcement, by law enforcement.”

“We are dedicated to ensuring the safety of our deputies and providing them with durable equipment to keep our community safe. Our oath to public safety remains our top priority and these new firearms are a testament to that commitment,” said Sherriff Eric Flowers, Indian River County Sheriff’s Office. “FN’s 509 MRD-LE has demonstrated to have improved accuracy and sighting versatility that coincides with the needs of our agency. We have already received our first shipment of pistols and have qualified all of our staff. Stay tuned for updates on this important transition.”

Developed for the demands of duty use and the professional user, the FN 509 MRD-LE is FN’s premier law enforcement pistol. Fully vetted through rigorous endurance testing to function with 9mm + P duty-style ammunition, the FN 509 MRD-LE delivers reliable, accurate and durable function throughout the service life of the pistol.

Topped with a 4-inch slide, that houses the FN-signature cold hammer-forged barrel, the FN 509 MRD-LE was designed for accuracy and features the company’s patented optics-mounting system that enables the direct mounting of several miniature red dot optics along with adjustable three-dot night sights.

The proven design features four passive safety systems, including a trigger safety incorporated into the flat-faced trigger. The contoured frame design delivers superior ergonomics and effective recoil management that accommodates nearly all hand sizes through the interchangeable backstraps while maintaining a natural point of aim enabling users to acquire their sights rapidly.

To inquire about the FN 509 MRD-LE, IRCSO’s newest duty-issue sidearm, for agency or individual officer purchase, please contact the FN Law Enforcement Sales team at LE@fnamerica.com. More information about the FN 509 MRD-LE or FN’s other law enforcement products can be found at www.fnamerica.com

*Winchester Firearms is a registered trademark owned by the Olin Corporation.

LAPD Selects Geissele Super Duty AR for SWAT and TST

Wednesday, November 29th, 2023

The Los Angeles Police Department has selected Geissele Automatics to provide rifles for their Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) and the Tactical Surveillance Team. This selection was determined after a lengthy and thorough process by the Department Staff and will replace legacy weapons systems currently in use.

They chose the Super Duty AR Pattern Rifle for its durability and reliability characteristics. It features a 11.5” Cold Hammer Forged Barrel and Reliability Enhanced Bolt Carrier Group with NANO Weapon Coating.

This adds to a trend within Southern California Law Enforcement Agencies adopting the Geissele Rifles to include Arcadia PD, Pomona PD, Huntington Beach PD and Azusa PD.

U.S. Marshals Service Turns to GOSAFE for Off-Person Security of Duty Weapons

Saturday, November 18th, 2023

STAMFORD, Conn. (November 16, 2023) – GOSAFE, maker of the first portable security device that operates inside a firearm, announces the sale of Mobile Safe units to the United States Marshals Service. Deployment of the Mobile Safes will begin with personnel serving in the Minnesota District. 

Intended for the off-person security of firearms, the GOSAFE Mobile Safe will allow U.S. Marshals Service personnel to quickly secure firearms when vaults and other non-portable storage solutions are not available. 

“The daily life of law enforcement professionals at every level is one that varies dramatically and often includes trips to courthouses, correctional facilities or other places where they cannot carry a service weapon,” said GOSAFE co-founder Mark Geist, a decorated combat veteran and law enforcement officer. “The response to the Mobile Safe from law enforcement agencies around the world has been extremely positive as they continue to see how this unique security solution can mitigate departmental risk and enhance public safety.” 

GOSAFE firearm security devices are available in two options: the GOSAFE Mobile Safe and the GOSAFE Mobile Mag. Both products feature a unique, high-security key (multiple key storage solutions also available) and are compatible with all holster varieties and generations of Glock (Glock 17 fits 19X, G34 and G45 and the Glock 19 fits G19). GOSAFE will be available for additional brands and models in the future.

Available to the civilian market and law enforcement agencies, both the Mobile Safe ($79.99 MSRP) and Mobile Mag ($99.99 MSRP) fit safely and securely inside the firearm, in the same manner as OEM magazines, accessible only via a unique-to-user key. With the firearm locked in GOSAFE mode, there is no possibility of an unauthorized user intentionally or accidentally gaining access. The patented technology allows gun owners and professionals to go from loaded and ready to locked whenever and wherever they are. GOSAFE products are available to consumers at Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s stores nationwide, as well as at GoSafeNow.com. Agency and departmental orders can be initiated under the Law Enforcement section of gosafenow.com. 

“We are excited to be working with law enforcement agencies like the U.S. Marshals Service and many others as they go through their testing and evaluation process with GOSAFE products,” Geist said. “Agency buyins like these are a testament to the durability and functionality of the products and we look forward to announcing the finalization of additional agency purchases soon.”

www.gosafenow.com

Cellebrite’s 2024 Industry Trends Survey Reveals Urgent Digital Challenges in Law Enforcement

Monday, November 13th, 2023

Annual Public Sector Survey Highlights Growing Need for Digital Intelligence Integration and Solutions
TYSONS CORNER, VA and PETAH TIKVA, Israel – November 13, 2023 – Cellebrite DI Ltd. (Nasdaq: CLBT), a global leader in Digital Intelligence (DI) solutions, unveils the critical insights from its 2024 Industry Trends Survey for the Public Sector. Now in its fifth year, the survey findings reveal the urgent need for agencies to digitally transform key workflows to address severe staffing shortages and a growing volume of evidence.   

The survey, gathering insights from 2,000 law enforcement leaders and practitioners, underscores challenges in device access, data extraction, evidence management and analysis. A notable majority report increased overtime and insufficient training to tackle digitally driven crimes. Disturbingly, many still rely on outdated paper-based reviews or manual digital tools, resulting in a staggering 45 hours typically spent reviewing digital evidence per case. With three out of four practitioners agreeing digital evidence is pivotal in case resolution, it is critical for agencies to adopt technologies that will transform their workflows, increase productivity and create efficiencies to solve cases faster, smarter and more defensibly.  

“Technology has changed the nature of crime,” says Steve Foster, Special Agent in Charge at the Georgia Bureau of Investigations whose unit utilizes Cellebrite technology to solve crimes. “We need the tools and people in place to be able to work through the challenges.”  

“Digital evidence continues to play an important role in modern investigations. As criminal technology evolves, it is that much more critical agencies are equipped with the tools, solutions and training needed to identify and analyze all case data,” said Leeor Ben-Peretz, Chief Strategy Officer, Cellebrite. “This year’s survey validates our commitment to supporting agencies through their digital transformations, help them manage their growing caseloads, and reduce investigator and examiner fatigue.”   

Key survey revelations include:  

·       Increase in evidence sources: significant YoY increase from cryptocurrency, car infotainment systems and wearables 

·       Examiner reports to investigators: In 2021, it took an average of six days for investigators to receive an extraction report from examiners, which has now increased to 14 days 

·       Evidence Handling: 75-80% agencies use portable drives or USB sticks for evidence, risking chain-of-custody breaches 

·       Growing Backlogs: 52% see worsening case backlogs year-on-year 

·       Evidence Sources Expand: Smartphones dominate, but cryptocurrency, cars and wearables are on the rise 

·       Digital Evidence Power: 60% of practitioners deem digital evidence has more impact on case resolution than DNA 

·       Evidence Delays: 75% of investigators note device analysis can exceed two weeks, even in high profile cases  

·       Tech’s Role: 65% of agency managers believe technology can alleviate staffing strains  

The annual survey includes respondents from North America, Europe, Latin America, and the Asia-Pacific region. To view the full survey results, please click here

US Customs and Border Protection Selects Accuracy International for Modular Precision Weapon Platform

Tuesday, October 31st, 2023

Accuracy International has announced that they were selected to provide the Modular Precision Weapon Platform to US Customs and Border Protection with the award of an IDIQ contract.

The firearm selected is based on their AT-X rifle and is a multi-caliber solution.

New Public Order Shields from DEFILADE

Thursday, October 26th, 2023

Introducing DEFILADE’s line of public order shields: where modern police tactics meet modern innovation. Built with impact absorbing, flame resistant polycarbonate. DEFILADE’s shields are lightweight, easy to maneuver with three models to fit your operational requirements. Available shields:

Interlocking

• Can be used individually or interlocked together to form a wall or roof

• Ideal for stand-offs, provides maximum protection from projectiles and direct confrontations

• Grips are covered in rubber for improved stability and significant reduction in vibration

• Available in 4ft or 6ft lengths

Round

• Lightweight, easy to maneuver

• Ideal for quick intervention tactics, allows ability to move through a crowd

• Can easily be carried with one hand, leaving the other hand free for other equipment

Learn More: defiladeps.com/shields

DEFILADE Protection Systems

Modern Policing. Modern Protection.

North Carolina and North Dakota Police Chiefs and Federal Firearms Licensees Indicted for Conspiracy to Illegally Acquire Machineguns and Other Firearms

Friday, October 20th, 2023

Baltimore, Maryland – A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging five defendants with a conspiracy to illegally acquire machineguns and other regulated firearms.  Charged in the indictment, which was unsealed yesterday are: Sean Reidpath Sullivan, age 38, of Gambrills, Maryland; Larry Allen Vickers, age 60, of Charlotte, North Carolina; James Christopher Tafoya, age 45, of Albuquerque, New Mexico; Matthew Jeremy Hall, age 53, of Four Oaks, North Carolina; and James Sawyer, age 50, of Ray, North Dakota. 

The indictment was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Special Agent in Charge Toni M. Crosby of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”) Baltimore Field Division; Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Sobocinski of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), Baltimore Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Kareem A. Carter of the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation (“IRS-CI”), Washington, D.C. Field Office; and Inspector General Joseph Y. Cuffari of the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General (“DHS OIG”).

According to the 26-count indictment, Hall and Sawyer were Chiefs of Police in Coats, North Carolina and Ray, North Dakota, respectively.  Sullivan was the owner and operator of Trident, LLC, located in Gambrills, Maryland, and was also an Intelligence Analyst with the Department of Homeland Security Investigations.  Sullivan and Trident were Federal Firearms Licensees (“FFLs”) and Special Occupational Taxpayers (“SOTs”), which allowed them, in certain circumstances, to possess, import, manufacture, and deal in fully automatic firearms (machineguns) and other regulated firearms.  Tafoya and Vickers owned and operated firearms related businesses in New Mexico and North Carolina and were also FFLs and SOTs.

The indictment alleges that, beginning in at least June 2018 through at least March 2021, the defendants conspired to acquire machineguns and/or other restricted firearms, such as short-barreled rifles, by falsely representing that the firearms would be used for demonstration to law enforcement agencies, including the Coats Police Department and the Ray Police Department.  The indictment further alleges that Hall, Sawyer, and other conspirators signed law letters with no expectation that the weapons would ever be demonstrated to their respective law enforcement agencies.

The defendants allegedly intended to impermissibly import into the United States and resell the machineguns and other firearms for profit or to keep for their own use and enjoyment.  Sullivan allegedly submitted the false law letters to the ATF seeking to import the machineguns and other restricted weapons.  Once the firearms were received, Sullivan allegedly kept some of the machineguns and other restricted weapons and transferred some of the weapons to Vickers, Tafoya, and other conspirators.

In addition to the indictment, Larry Vickers pleaded guilty yesterday to participating in the conspiracy to import and obtain machineguns and other restricted firearms and admitted that he received some of the imported machineguns and other weapons.  As detailed in his plea agreement, Vickers kept some of the machineguns and other restricted weapons in his personal collection and transferred other machineguns and restricted weapons to other FFLs and third parties.  Vickers also pleaded guilty to a conspiracy to violate U.S. sanctions against a foreign firearms manufacturer between July 2014 and March 2021, in the Southern District of Florida. 

Vickers faces a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison for conspiracy to violate federal law regulating firearms and a maximum of 20 years in federal prison for conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.  U.S. District Judge Julie R. Rubin has not yet scheduled sentencing for Vickers.

If convicted, Sullivan, Tafoya, Hall, and Sawyer face a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison for conspiracy to violate federal law regulating firearms and for each count of false statements related to submission of a law letter.  Sullivan and Tafoya face a maximum of five years in federal prison for each count of unlawful importation of a firearm and for each count of making a false statement in records maintained by FFLs.  Sullivan also faces a maximum of 10 years in federal prison for unlawful possession of unregistered machineguns and 10 years in federal prison for using criminal proceeds to conduct financial transactions.  Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties.  A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.  Sullivan and Tafoya have already had an initial appearance U.S. District Court in Baltimore and were released pending trial.  Hall and Sawyer are expected to have an initial appearance at a later date.

An indictment is not a finding of guilt.  An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings. 

United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the ATF, the FBI, the IRS-CI on behalf of the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau and DHS-OIG for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys P. Michael Cunningham and Christine Goo, who are prosecuting the case and recognized Trial Attorneys Menno Goedman and Sean O’Dowd of the Justice Department’s National Security Division and Criminal Division, respectively, for their work on the Vickers guilty plea.