A recipe from the WPA

 

Okay, folks, the weekend’s here so it’s time to step outside the crime scene tape, put away the fingerprint powders and brushes, and relax. And what better way to kick back than to whip up something good in the kitchen? So here’s one of my favorites—sweet potato biscuits. As Sheriff Andy Taylor would say, “They’re some kinda’ goo…ood!”

Sweet Potato Biscuits

Ingredients

– 2 cups warm, mashed, boiled sweet potatoes

– 1/2 cup melted butter

– 2 tsp. baking powder

– 3 cups sifted flour

– 3/4 cup sugar

– 1 tsp. salt

The Process

Pre-heat oven to 425.

Sift flour and baking powder. Mix warm sweet potatoes with sugar, salt, and butter. Add flour to potato mixture and mix thoroughly.

Roll on slightly-floured bread board until approximately 1/2 inch thick.

Cut with biscuit cutter (or inverted juice glass, water glass, etc.) and place on baking sheet.

Bake at 425 degrees for 15-20 minutes, or until nicely browned and done. Brush melted butter across the tops and watch them disappear.

Makes approximately 2 1/2 to 3 dozen mouth-watering biscuits.

Enjoy!

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Now, a little Writer’s Police Academy business.

We Need Your Books!

Yes, it’s that time of the year when I start begging (bugging) everyone for signed books and other goodies for the Writers’ Police Academy’s raffle/silent auction.

In the past, we’ve received items such as cell phones, oil paintings, quilts, basket material, signed TV scripts, and much, much more.

Proceeds from the auction are combined with overall profits which are then donated to our host college/academy. Starting this year those funds go to the Writers’ Police Academy Scholarship Fund. The fund is to provide financial aid for students of criminal justice (degree), and law enforcement, firefighting, and EMS certification programs.

So far, thanks to your generosity, we’ve given over $60,000!

So I thank each of you for your support. The raffle/auction is a huge hit each year.

So won’t you please help us help the people who see to it that writers “get it right.” After all, these are the same professionals who’ve dedicated their lives to helping and protecting others. A small contribution from us is the least we can do, right?

Please contact me at lofland32@msn.com if you can help out.

By the way, we’ve secured a few more slots for the Writers’ Police Academy. This is by far the largest and most exciting event we’ve ever put together. I hope to see all of you there. It’s an experience you’ll never forget.

This is not a watered down citizen’s police academy. It’s the real deal!

 

Again, please help if you can. Thanks so much.

We are also seeking sponsors. It’s great PR for you and your work!

*Contact me at lofland32@msn.com

Friday's Heroes - Remembering the fallen officers

 

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Patrolman James Bennett, Jr. 45

Housing Authority of New Orleans Police Department

May 24, 2015 – Patrolman James Bennett, Jr. was shot and killed by ambush while seated inside his patrol car during an overtime detail at a construction site.

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Officer Greg “Nigel” Benner, 49

Rio Rancho New Mexico Police Department

May 25, 2015 – Officer Greg “Nigel” Benner was shot and killed while conducting a traffic stop. He is survived by his wife, two children, and three stepchildren.

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Sergeant Iris Smith, 53

Mississippi Department of Corrections

May 25, 2015 – Sergeant Iris Smith was killed when the prison van she was driving collided with a tractor trailer. She is survived by her daughter, mother, brother, and grandson.

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Inspector Robert James Bowling, 50

North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles License and Theft Bureau

May, 21, 2015 – Inspector Robert James Bowling was killed in a head-on crash with a cement mixer. He is survived by his wife.

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*Our thoughts and prayers are with the Oklahoma police officer who was shot in the head yesterday during a pursuit of three suspects in an SUV.

The three suspects have been captured after an extensive manhunt. During a search of the suspect vehicle, officers found body armor and assault rifles.

A Thug is a Thug

There has been quite a bit of discussion lately regarding the term “thug.” Well, to many of us there is only one actual definition of the word, and it’s the one offered by Merriam-Webster and other similar sources.

From Merriam-Webster…

Thug: a violent criminal.

Full Definition of THUG

:  a brutal ruffian or assassin

That’s it. Nothing more and nothing less. A violent criminal. A brutal ruffian or assassin.

I’ve used the word in my writings, and I’ve used it when referring to a specific person or group of people—violent criminals, such as mobsters, murderers, rapists, robbers, gang members, people who assault others, etc.

To me, the term is racially generic. It’s a “one-word-fits-all” term that encompasses ALL violent criminals without regard to a specific tone or hue of flesh. You see, it’s not a person’s skin color that makes them a thug, or not. Not at all. It’s what’s inside that counts. If you’re a violent person, then you, my friend, are a T.H.U.G. thug.

The definition above is a one line description. There are absolutely no extra or hidden lines to read between. Anything added is just that, something someone added because they “thought” something was there.

Recently, TV superstar executive Byron Allen expressed his disappointment over President Obama choosing to use the term “thugs” when referring to the violent Baltimore rioters. Byron basically equated the word “thug” with the n-word. Well, I’m not exactly a fan of many of President Obama’s policies, but in this case I agree with him. He merely used a proper term to describe a group violent criminals, a mob that included African Americans. But he could have just as easily been describing the motorcycle club thugs involved in the recent massive fight/shootout. Or the Boston bombers, the kid who punched and knocked out an elderly man so he could rob him of a single $1 bill, the cop who beats or kills an innocent citizen, and, well, you get the idea. A thug is a thug is a thug.

I know some people won’t agree that thug is a generic term. How the word evolved into something it’s not is beyond me and is something I simply don’t understand, but I do wish people would stop trying to force words and hidden meanings into my mouth.

So from this moment forward, as always, if you hear me use the word thug or see it in something I’ve written, you can automatically know that I’m referring to a violent criminal. But you may NOT assume I’m speaking of a specific race.

Here’s something for you to ponder. When I speak or write of a wonderful person I know but you don’t, do your thoughts automatically picture someone of a certain race? No? Then why do certain images appear in your mind when I use the term “thug?” I guess what I’m asking is that you please not blame me for your own private thoughts, or to use my words to bring those thoughts to life.

After all, to me a thug is merely a violent criminal. Any violent criminal. A definition other than that, well, that’s on you. I certainly didn’t make it up.

Rifle

The term “Rifle” means a weapon designed or redesigned, made or remade, and intended to be fired from the shoulder and designed or redesigned and made or remade to use the energy of the explosive in a fixed metallic cartridge to fire only a single projectile through a rifled bore for each single pull of the trigger.

 

Shotgun

The term “Shotgun” means a weapon designed or redesigned, made or remade, and intended to be fired from the shoulder, and designed or redesigned and made or remade to use the energy of the explosive in a fixed shotgun shell to fire through a smooth bore either a number of ball shot or a single projectile for each single pull of the trigger.

Shotguns with barrel(s) modified to less than 18″ in length are considered as “sawed-off” shotguns.

 

Silencers

The term “Firearm Silencer” or “Firearm Muffler” means any device for silencing, muffling, or diminishing the report of a portable firearm, including any combination of parts, designed or redesigned, and intended for the use in assembling or fabricating a firearm silencer or firearm muffler, any part intended only for use in such assembly or fabrication.

*Remember, writers, silencers are not effective when used on revolvers. And, they attach (screw) to a point outside of the barrel, not the inside.

 

Machine Gun

– Any weapon which shoots, is designed to shoot, or can be readily restored to shoot, automatically more than one shot without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger

– The frame or receiver of any such weapon

– Any part designed and intended solely and exclusively or combination of parts designed and intended for use in converting a weapon into a machine gun, or

– Any combination of parts from which a machine gun can be assembled if such parts are in the possession or under the control of a person.

 

*With the exception of the top photo (Graveyard Shift photo), all of the above (text and images) are from ATF (Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives). Thanks to the folks at ATF for allowing the reproduction and use.

Friday's Heroes - Remembering the fallen officers

 

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Reserve Deputy Sonny Smith, 42

Johnson County Arkansas Sheriff’s Office

May 15, 2015 – Reserve Deputy Sonny Smith was shot and killed while searching for a burglary suspect who was hiding in the woods. When Deputy Smith located the man he fled on foot. During the pursuit the suspect opened fire with a handgun, fatally wounding the deputy.

Deputy Smith is survived by his wife and five children.

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Officer Richard Martin, 47

Houston Texas Police Department

May 18, 2015 – Officer Richard Martin was struck and killed by the driver of a stolen vehicle. While Officer Martin attempted to deploy spike strips as a means to stop the fleeing vehicle, who’s driver had already fired several shots at pursuing officers, the driver intentionally hit the officer to further his escape.

Officer Martin is survived by his two children.

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Detective Kerrie Orazco, 29

Omaha Nebraska Police Department

May 20, 2015 –  Detective Kerrie Orazco was shot and killed while serving an arrest warrant on a man who was wanted for a previous shooting. The suspect opened fire as she and other task force members approached the residence.

Detective Orazco is survived by her husband, newborn daughter, and two stepchildren.

The detective, a first-time mother, was scheduled to bring home her premature baby from the hospital later that day and begin maternity leave. She didn’t make it.
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Radar Love

Radar is an acronym for radio detection and ranging. Doppler radar units, like the one…

Wait a minute. Before we continue, I believe this post calls for some serious driving music. So click on the video below, turn up the volume, step on the gas, and hold on!!

 

There, that’s better. So, as I was saying, Doppler radar units, like the one in the top photo, emit a continuous frequency that bounces off a moving object, such as a car or truck. The radar unit receives the reflected signal and instantly calculates the target vehicle’s speed. Doppler radar units are capable of determining a violator’s speed while the patrol car is motionmoving radar—and, while it’s stationarystationary radar.

In the moving-radar mode, the radar unit has to determine the police car’s speed before it can calculate the speed of a target car. It does this by sending a signal to the surface of the pavement and to the surrounding landscape. The unit picks up the reflected signals and converts them to miles per hour—the police car’s speed. The patrol car’s speed is displayed as patrol speed on the face of the radar unit (see above photo). During this exchange and calculation of information, the unit is also sending a signal to the target vehicle. The reflected signal is transposed into miles per hour—the target vehicle’s speed. The target vehicle’s speed is displayed as target speed on the face of the unit.

In the stationary mode, the radar unit simply subtracts the difference between the frequency it sent and the one it received. The difference is calculated and shown as miles per hour on the target screen. No patrol speed is shown when the unit is in stationary mode because the police car is not in motion.

Radar facts:

1) Police officers are not required to show the radar unit to a speeder.

2) To be certain the radar unit is operating properly, police officers must check and confirm the machine’s calibration before and after each shift. They do this by striking and holding a tuning fork in front of the radar unit’s antenna. Each tuning fork is designed to simulate a pre-determined speed in miles per hour. Two tuning forks are used when calibrating a radar unit—one fork is pre-set to 65 mph and the other simulates 35 mph.

The radar unit picks up the forks vibrations as speed and displays its calculation in the target speed window. If the calculated speed is the same as the speed generated by the tuning fork, the unit is operating properly.

3) Patrol car speedometers must be calibrated for accuracy on a regular basis.

4) Some police cars are equipped with devices that allow officers to swipe a person’s driver’s license like an ATM card. The machine automatically records the driver’s information and then prints out a traffic summons. The device is also capable of transmitting the data back to the police station and to the court.

5) A traffic stop for speeding is an arrest. Signing the ticket is the same as posting a bond. The driver’s signature on the summons is his/her promise to appear in court. A refusal to sign a traffic summons could send you to jail.

6) Police officers receive special training before operating radar units.

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Officers use tuning forks to calibrate Doppler radar units. The gray and black device inside the car window is the rear antenna for the radar unit. The front antenna is pictured in the top photograph. It’s the round object to the left of the radar unit.

Note the patrol speed on the unit in the top photo matches the speed on the car’s speedometer.

When all you have as evidence is a human skull

Many homicide investigations begin with little more to go on than the notion that someone died at the hands of another human.

Sometimes, though, all detectives have to go on is, well, a single body part, such as a human skull found in the woods among sticks and dried leaves.

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The deceased could have met their end by an animal attack, a fall, suicide, natural causes, or … murder. Therefore, close examinations of the remains are crucial. And, after a closer look at the skull in the above two photos, we see something of definite interest—scrape marks consistent with the use of a tool with serrated edges, such as a steak knife.

Murder? How else would the blade of a steak knife contact bare human bone?

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So what’s the next step for detectives? Where and how do they begin when all they have to go on is a skull?

Well, it’s important to know the name of the victim, if possible. Then it’s easier to develop a list of potential suspects.

So …

With no obvious source of DNA—blood, hair, body fluids, tissue, etc., the next place to search would be the root/pulp of the teeth, if any.

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In this case, forensic investigators extracted the molars (the only teeth remaining in the jaw bone) and packaged them for delivery to a testing lab. And, since detectives were simultaneously working on a missing person case of suspicious nature, they obtained blood samples from the child of the missing person.

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Officials sent the blood samples along with the teeth, hopeful that results would bring closure to both cases.

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Unfortunately, due to exposure to harsh conditions and wildlife, no DNA was found in the teeth. The forensic anthropologist in charge, Dr. Elizabeth Murray, then decided to try a unique approach—take core samples of the skull.

Using a drill much like the one found in a homeowner’s workshop or garage, and a specially designed bit, they obtained six plugs/cores.

skull

The cores were packaged in a sterile tube and sent to a Lab Corp facility for testing, and for another attempt to match the skull with the blood samples obtained from the child.

Skull Sample

As is the case with all forensic testing requests, proper documentation was again submitted.

Extracting DNA from the core samples required a process where the bone material was first ground into a fine powder. Then the bone matrix was dissolved, which released the DNA. The procedure does not fully dissolve the bone matrix; therefore, not all DNA in the specimen is released. However, the process achieves excellent results from samples recovered even after several decades have passed.

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This time, thanks to the persistence of investigators and a very savvy forensic anthropologist, the lab announced a positive match of the DNA found in the core samples and that found in the blood taken from the child. The murder victim and missing woman were the same.

Investigators could then begin their search for the killer. First up … the boyfriend and it wasn’t long before he was in prison serving a twenty-five-year sentence, which, by the way, ended in December 2023.

 

Cops as romance cover models

What do you get when these guys, Rick McMahan and Mike Roche, are on the same program? Easy answer. Nothing but trouble! Well, trouble and over the top practical joking.

Last year at the Writers’ Police Academy, ATF Special Agent Rick McMahan (above left) decided to pull all the stops and go for the gold. With a little help from bestselling author Lori Foster, Rick “uncovered” the secret lives of a few WPA instructors/cops.

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Yes, during the Saturday night banquet, in front of everyone, Rick had the nerve to “bare” his friends’ hidden “treasures.”

Who knew…

Former Secret Service Special Agent Mike Roche was named The Love Doctor.

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Since Mike’s WPA appearance, his modeling skills have been in high demand.

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But Rick didn’t stop with Mike Roche. Oh, nooooo….

Next was the always-hot Captain “Honeybuns” Shepherd.

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Not to be outdone, Rick decided to display his own six pack to the banquet crowd.

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Of course, my friend Rick didn’t forget me, The Big Kahuna, in his twisted plan.

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Rick, I do hope you realize that someday, somehow, the “big one” is headed in your direction…

 

The language of police

Everyone has their own pet names for various items, and many people have used cute little nicknames for their favorite or not so favorite people. But when it comes to cops and their slang, well, it’s a language all it’s own. For example…

A little while – response offered to bad guys when they ask what they’re going to jail for… “A little while.”

Aluminum Shampoo – using a metal flashlight to deliver a polite “love tap” to a combative suspect’s head

Angry Betty – usually a high and crazy, mad, arms-flailing female crackhead

Back To The Barn – heading back to the police station

Badge Bunny – woman obsessed with cops (I mean really obsessed…well, you get the idea). Cop groupies.

Basket Weave – design that’s stamped into a leather gun belt

Break Leather – drawing a firearm/weapon from its holster

California Roll – when a driver almost, but not quite, stops at a stop sign (they slowly roll past the sign through the intersection, never coming to a complete stop)

Canoe Maker – a medical examiner (during autopsy, an M.E. “scoops” out the insides leaving behind a human “canoe”)

Code Brown – got to get to the bathroom, and fast!

Connect The Dots – using a metal flashlight to deliver a polite “love tap” to a combative suspect’s head

Cue Ball – a bad guy, especially a gang member, with a shaved head

Deuce – driving under the influence

Doing The Funky Chicken – a “Tasered”suspect’s flailing and erratic movements

Driving Miss Daisy – having an older, supervisory officer riding along on patrol

Duracell Shampoo – using a metal flashlight to deliver a polite “love tap” to a combative suspect’s head

Fish Eye – a person is said to “fish eye” when he knows an officer is watching him, so he pretends not to notice. However, he’s quite obviously watching the officer out of the extreme corner of his eye while trying to keep his head aimed straight ahead

Flashlight Therapy – using a metal flashlight to deliver a polite “love tap” to a combative suspect’s head

Foot Bail – to run from the police

Frequent Flyer – the person you arrest over and over and over again. Think Otis Campbell of Mayberry.

Grunt – patrol officer

Gump – Cross-dressing male prostitute.  “Gender Unknown Male Prostitute”

Hang Paper – issue a traffic citation (ticket)

Happy Feet – suspect is a runner, or is about to flee

John Wayne – excessive use of force (He went all “John Wayne” on that guy.”)

Lead Poisoning – multiple gunshot wounds (Look at all the bullet holes. He must’ve died of lead poisoning)

Light ‘Em Up – initiate a traffic stop by turning on blue lights. Also used as an unofficial command to begin firing at a suspect(s)

Maglite Shampoo – using a metal flashlight to deliver a polite “love tap” to a combative suspect’s head

Minnow Mounties – Fish and Game officers. Also known as Moose Marshals

Mutt – criminal. AKA – suspect, slimebag, scrote, and a**hole

On The Beach – suspended from duty

One-Oh-One X-ray – a male dressed as a female

Opossum Cop (‘Possum Cop) – Texas game warden

Organ Donor – a person riding a motorcycle without wearing a helmet

Out Of The Bag – an officer out of uniform, or a plainclothes officer/detective

Overheads – lights on top of a police car. AKA – lightbar

Paper Hanger – person who writes fraudulent checks

Pickle Park – highway rest area frequented by men attempting to “hook up” with other men

Polyester Pig Pile – When several officers “pile on” an extremely combative suspect to effect an arrest

Pumpkin Patch – Holding cell (bull pen) housing new prisoners dressed in orange jumpsuits

Q-Tips – elderly, white-haired folks traveling the highway, usually to and from Florida. From a distance they have the appearance of Q-tips lined up in a box

Rabbit – run from the police

Scooby Snack – a suspect who’s bitten by a police k-9

Screen Test – slamming on the brakes so the unruly, spitting suspect in the rear seat slides forward, hitting their head/face on the screen/divider between the front and rear compartments

Sergeant In The Trunk – GPS tracking system on patrol cars (an officer’s whereabouts is known at all times)

Swivel Head – the head-turning reaction exhibited by bad guys when they see a passing police car

Three-Striper – sergeant

Two Beers – the almost-always-used answer by drunk drivers when asked how much they’ve had to drink

Walkin’ the Dog – taking a break

Walnut Shampoo – yep, you guessed it, using a wooden baton to deliver a polite “love tap” to a combative suspect’s head

Whale – black and white police car with no lightbar

Yardbird – a suspect who springs from the bushes and takes off running

Zebra – a sergeant who’s not well-liked. An “ass” with stripes

Things you'll want in your next book

 

1. Scientists have developed a new sophisticated fluorescent ink that can be used as a multicolored barcode, a tool that will aid consumers with identifying and verifying authentic products. A quick scan with a cell phone and you’ll instantly know if what you’re buying is the real thing, or a cheap imitation.

2. FINDER (Finding Individuals for Disaster and Emergency Response), a new device used for locating buried victims, is now available for the commercial market. FINDER uses radar to locate and pinpoint heartbeats.

3. Hybridsil, a new Kevlar-based material used to manufacture firefighters’ gloves, offers enhanced dexterity, and much-improved heat and water resistance. The new material also provides an added protection against punctures and lacerations.

4. The Office of Naval Research (ONR) is now using functional MRI machines to determine how well working canines respond to verbal praise, petting, and snack treats. The purpose of the fMRI testing is to measure brain activity by detecting changes in blood flow caused by the animals’ responses to the stimuli. The ONR is also studying how long canines remember certain odors and how they process them.

5. Presumptive drug test kits used in the field by law enforcement have been found to give false positive results when used to test common household items, such as coffee, aspirin, and chocolate. Even soap has been “positively” identified as the date-rape drug GHB. Candy showed up as meth. And mints were identified as crack cocaine. Of course, in criminal cases laboratory tests performed by forensic scientists are always conducted to confirm field results.

The problem with the false positives, if negated by lab tests, is that innocent people have been detained and even jailed due to faulty test kit results. Remember, though, convictions for illegal drug possession are not based on presumptive drug testing conducted street-side by cops. Instead, officers use the field tests/kits only to help determine probable cause for arrest.

6. Human microbial signatures—skin-associated bacteria—can be identified on various surfaces, such as computers, shoes, clothing, cell phones, flooring, etc. Therefore, it is possible that law enforcement may pinpoint a suspect’s previous whereabouts by examining bacteria found at crime scenes.

7. Altering fingerprints CAN beat the system. Yes, criminals have escaped producing a “match” by altering their print patterns in some way. The most common and effective means of changing print patterns is to cut a straight vertical line through the print(s). The method can prevent an automatic hit returned by an automated ID system. Sanding, burning, biting, and other methods of cutting are far less effective.