Hell Erupts in California: Inside the Wragg Fire with Photographer Donna Forman

Hell erupts in California

 

Firefighting in California has a definition all its own. And, unfortunately, those who battle the flames, heat, and smoke have been put to the test recently with the eruption of several large wildfires.

The smoke from the fire above (the Wragg fire near Lake Berryessa/Napa area) was easily seen from my backyard. In fact, the fire was so large—over 8,000 acres and counting—that we first saw the smoke as we drove out of San Francisco a couple of days ago.

As of today, over 1,400 firefighters are battling this blast furnace in the hills. Much of the terrain is steep and nearly unreachable, but they’re there, somehow. And they’re also fighting the fires that endanger homes and animals. This thing is massive and people have been forced to flee their homes, leaving precious belongings behind. Believe me, this is not a fire where the shiny red trucks roll up, hook a hose to a hydrant, spray water for a few minutes, and all is well. Not even close. This one is D.A.N.G.E.R.O.U.S.!

I know, sitting at your computer in an area that’s regularly dampened by wonderfully cool and refreshing summer rains, you have no concept of a California wildfire. So, here’s a closeup journey inside the searing heat and flames of the Wragg fire, courtesy of photographer Donna Forman. Notice the special firefighting equipment—air tankers and helicopters. Remember, much of the area is not accessible by vehicle.

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Thanks so much to Donna Forman for these incredible photos. You can view more images of the fire at Donna Forman Photography. While you’re there say hi, and please tell her I sent you.

By the way, Donna is a retired Richmond, California K9 officer who worked two K9’s back to back. She also worked HRET, narcotics, and was the first female dirt bike Motorcycle officer.

 

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Hands Kill: Traffic Stops

Hands Kill: traffic stops

Television, film, and the media often skew the reality of police work. Sometimes they alter the public’s perception so badly that people can no longer separate fiction from fact. But there are times when those entertainment sources (yes, some media is entertainment, not news) actually help the police. Such as…

Driver’s Side or Passenger Side? Television and film has provided patrol officers with an excellent means of tactical surprise, the Passenger’s Side Approach. Most TV cops approach stopped vehicles from the driver’s side, and that’s what the general TV-viewing public expects.

Sooo…when a real-life cop approaches the passenger side of a vehicle, most drivers and passengers are totally clueless about the officer who’s standing at the passenger window watching while they’re busy hiding their dope and other illegal goodies beneath the front seat. The officer also has a good view of the occupants’ hands and what they may be holding, such as a gun. And, since most people are right-handed, a passenger-side approach makes it a bit more difficult for someone to shoot an officer who’s standing to the right of the vehicle. Not impossible, just awkward.

Believe me, traffic stops are especially scary to police officers because they have no idea what’s waiting for them inside the cars they’ve stopped. Therefore, any advantage, even slight ones, are a huge plus.

Inside or Outside When Making the Arrest? When officers prepare to make an arrest subsequent to, or during a traffic stop, we sometimes see scenarios where officers ask vehicle occupants to remain inside their cars, while at other times officers order them outside. Which is best? Well, as always, my answer is…it depends, and we see both on TV. But which is best in the real world?

Well, the first priority in any situation is the officer’s safety. Of course the suspect’s safety is also a concern, but in this world, a world where fighting with law enforcement seems to be a popular sport, officers must look out for number one…themselves. Therefore, an officer’s safety comes first. ALWAYS.

Officers should order the occupants to show their hands and keep them where they can see them at all times. *One of the top rules of officer survival is—HANDS KILL!

Keeping the suspect(s) in the car means there’s less chance the suspect can get away on foot and/or fight with the officer. However, to prevent escape in the vehicle it is extremely important that the officer gain control of the driver’s keys. So they’ll have the driver shut down the engine, remove the keys, and hand them to them. In other situations officers may order the driver to drop the keys outside the car window. But the latter is for a different situation and for another blog post.

The officer should order all occupants to keep their hands on the tops of their heads where they’re easily seen. The next step would be to have the driver remove his seat belt and then return his hands to the top of his head. Now, with the driver’s seat belt off and hands on top of his head, the officer may easily handcuff the suspect’s wrists and have him exit his car.

If there are other occupants in the car, well, it’s a bit tricky to keep an eye on them while handling the arrest of the driver, but with practice and having everyone keep their hands where the officer can see them, the task becomes easier. Never less scary or dangerous, but easier. After all, practice and training increase the officer’s chances of survival.

Again, an officer, real or fictional, should always remember that HANDS KILL!

 

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10 Tips for the CSI in Your Life

10-tips for the CSI in your life

Every crime scene investigator works from a checklist, even if it’s an imaginary one they’ve tucked away in a far corner of their mind. Their mental wheels are in constant movement—What do I collect first? Should I take a photo of that object? Fingerprint the light switches? Collect the creepy crawling things? And, those real-life Sherlocks, well, they leave no stones, sticks, boards, mattresses, carpets, or dead bodies unturned.

Writers, too, often operate from a mental checklist when crafting their tales. Hmm…did I mention both writer and mental in the same sentence? Was that a slip of the tongue. Is it possible that our brains are… Anyway, here’s a quick set of ten must-do tips for the CSI in your life.

1. Clear firearms before packaging. If the firearm is contaminated with blood and/or tissue, then mark the outside of the container with a biohazard label. No surprises for the lab tech! And whatever you do, do not package firearms in plastic containers/bags. Plastic can act as an incubator for bacteria, and you all know that bacteria can destroy DNA, right?

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Arrowhead Forensics photo

2. Collect a sampling of all maggot sizes. But the largest ones will be the ones that normally indicate the time of death.

3. If the dirt is moving, collect it. There’s a bug in there that could make your case.

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Entomology evidence collection kit – Arrowhead Forensics photo

4. Record the temperature at the scene. Certain insects grow at certain temperatures.

5. Don’t forget the small stuff! Paint chips, plant seeds, leaves, soil, broken glass, tiny scraps of paper, etc. Either of those items, or a combination, could play a crucial role in identifying a suspect.

6. Photograph, photograph, photograph! And then take a few more pictures. You can never have too many.

7. Take impressions of tire and tool marks. BUT, do take a photograph of the impression before you cast it in case something goes horribly wrong with the casting material.

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Arrowhead Forensics photo

8. Map the scene. Fortunately, this can now be done electronically. Unfortunately, not all agencies have that luxury, therefore a hand-drawn diagram will have to suffice. By the way, 2015 Writers’ Police Academy attendees will have the opportunity to see 3D Crime-Mapping in action!

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Arrowhead Forensics photo

9. Search, search, search, until your feet simply refuse to take another step. Then, you may want to consider crawling. Do not leave any evidence behind!

10. Take your time. Don’t rush!

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Video Tip of the Day: Red Blood Cells and DNA

Video tip of the day: Blood cells

 

Today’s CSI video tip of the day.

 

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Combat Shooting: How NOT to Miss the…Fizza-ma-wizza-ma-dill?

Combat shooting: How not to miss

Every hunter has experienced it—waiting patiently in extreme temperatures and consitions, joints stiff and sore from sitting motionless among the trees for so, so long. Then, like their counterparts on the island of Gwark who, out of the corner of their eyes, finally see it coming at a pace fit for a race. Why yes, there it is, the elusive, reclusive Fizza-ma-wizza-ma-dill, and it just topped Bill’s Hill.

So with hands steady and gun at ready, the hunter fires. Boom! But the creature scurries off into the jungle without even the slightest of bungles. And much to his dismay, all the poor hunter sees is the part of the Fizza-ma-wizza-ma-dill that generally last sees the light of day.

The hunter missed his target. But why did his shot go so far astray?

Well, in defense of the hunter, shooting a moving target is extremely difficult. And, for example, during a police shootout with a bad guy, it’s even more difficult to fire an accurate shot when the target is shooting back.

As a firearms instructor at the police academy I often taught combat shooting to officers, and part of that training included having the officers locate and aim for a target within their target. I know, that sounds a little odd, but all it means is to pinpoint a tiny spot on the intended target, and that’s the spot you want to hit when the trigger is pulled. Not just the body of the attacker who’s charging at you with a gun in each hand. This technique doesn’t mean the shooter will actually hit such a tiny spot, but it helps to narrow the focus which helps the officer make a far more accurate shot.

Think of the football quarterback who practices throwing a ball through the center of a tire. His overall target is the tire, but he wants to deliver the ball to the center of the tire/target. He does this for hours and hours, perfecting his technique, so that when he gets on the field he’ll be able to transfer that pinpoint accuracy to a receiver’s hands. Same principle when practicing the “target-on-target” combat shooting method.

The next trick to combat shooting is teaching the shooters to fire their weapons the moment their support hand comes in contact with their gun hand. It’s at this moment when the eyes should have already found their target on the target (a mustard stain on the bad guy’s shirt, a button, a logo, etc.). There should be absolutely no hesitation at this point. When the hands come together the trigger should be pulled. If the officers takes a fraction of a second to think, try to find the sights, glance to the side, etc., the shot will most likely be off target. It’s that simple.

My fellow instructors and I used to practice by shooting the thumbtacks that held our targets in place. Our peers used to tease us, saying we were obsessed with shooting. Some even equated us with…

But all the shooting must have paid off. I’m still here after an intense shootout with a bank robber.

It takes practice to become proficient with firearms. And, just like a basketball player practices free throws, so should police officers practice shooting their weapons. The big difference in the two (other than the pay) is that an officer’s life may come down to a single pull of the trigger.

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Friday’s Heroes: Remembering The Fallen

Friday's Heroes - Remembering the fallen officers

 

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Sergeant Scott Lunger, 48

Hayward California Police Department

July 22, 2015 – Sergeant Scott Lunger conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle that was traveling erratically. As he approached the vehicle an occupant inside opened fire, killing him.

Sergeant Lunger is survived by his two daughters.

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Officer Vernell Brown, Jr., 47

New Orleans Louisiana Police Department

July 17, 2015 – Officer Vernell Brown, Jr. was struck by a passing vehicle while investigating a car fire. He was transported to a hospital where he remained in a coma until succumbing to his injuries.

Officer Brown is survived by his five children and fiancee.

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What To Do If You’re Stopped By The Police

What to do if you're stopped

We’ve all experienced that moment of anxiety and apprehension when we look in our rear view mirrors and see a police car following closely behind. The sweating. The knot in the stomach. Not to mention the “what did I do’s” flashing though your mind like a slide slow on speed. Oh no, did I say speed? How fast was I going? They don’t give tickets for twenty miles-per-hour over the limit, do they?

You glance in the mirror again.

No matter how fast or how slow you go, it’s there, in stealth mode, with headlights glowing like the eyes of a demon. The driver’s monster-size dark silhouette sits unwavering behind the wheel. You can’t see them, but you know the driver-creature’s eyes have met yours. It knows, and you know it knows. It has probed deep into your soul, the place where you keep all your dark secrets. Yes, it knows what what you’ve done and what you’re thinking. It knows you rolled through that intersection, brazenly ignoring the stop sign. And it knows about the day when the time had run out on the parking meter, but you threw caution to the wind and left your car there for ten extra minutes, slapping Big Brother in the face with your devil-may-care attitude. But you knew it is was only a matter of time.

Yes, IT is coming for you…

Okay, that’s a little overboard, but I think the feelings we get when we see a police car in our rear view mirrors are pretty darn intense. And all that intensity, anxiety, and trepidation often leads to trouble in the form of saying too much and doing all the wrong things at all the wrong times, especially when around persons of authority. And, no matter how calm and cool you think you are, this tongue-tangling often occurs when approached by police officers…even when we’ve done absolutely nothing wrong.

So what should you say when approached by a police officer? Or, what shouldn’t you say?

Well, let’s start with a few basics. First of all, if the officer is aiming a .12 gauge at you like Officer Crawford in the top photo, well, you should definitely obey any and all of his commands. That is not the time to argue.

However, under normal circumstances, if you are stopped by the police you should be aware of:

1. Body language/mannerisms. It’s a good idea to not make any threatening gestures, like suddenly reaching into your pockets or suddenly placing a hand behind your back, unless you’ve been ordered to do so by the officer. Let’s face it, if you’re at the point when the officer has asked you to place your hands behind your back, most of what follows is moot.

2. What you say and how you say it. Arguing with the officer will earn you no favors. He/she wants the incident to be over and done as quickly and easily as possible. They don’t want to get hurt, nor do they want to hurt you. However, arguing automatically brings about a hostile atmosphere, and that puts the officer on guard. Therefore, simple acts that normally wouldn’t seem harmful suddenly become potential threats in the eyes of the officer. Besides, anything you say can and WILL be used against you in a…yada, yada, yada…

Also, asking to see the officer’s supervisor is a silly thing to say while you’re arguing with the officer because , if you’ve been hostile and combative you’re probably a matter of seconds away from meeting the supervisor and the four or five other officers who’re on the way to help arrest you.

3. Your hands. Keep them to yourself. The officer does not know you or what your intentions are toward him. Do NOT touch the officer. Do not pretend you’re going to touch the officer.

4. When operating a motor vehicle. You ARE required to present your driver’s license and registration when asked. By the way, if you are arrested/detained, you are required, by law, to give the officer your correct name. Failure to do so could result in an additional charge against you.

5. You do not have to give permission to search you or your property.

6. You should not physically resist a pat-down search. If you think the officer is overstepping his bounds then file a complaint with his supervisor at the police station.

7. You can be arrested if you don’t sign a traffic ticket. Your signature on the summons is like a bond, and the officer is allowing you to go free if you sign promising to appear in court on the date designated on the ticket. By not signing, the officer has no choice but to think you’re refusing to appear in court. Next up…handcuffs. Remember, driving is a privilege, not a right.

8. If you are arrested and you ask for an attorney, that does not mean that a lawyer will drop what she’s doing and immediately drive over to the jail. It might be several hours, or even days, before you see a lawyer.

9. You will get a phone call (after arrest) but that doesn’t mean you’ll get to make that call the second you hit the jail floor. Booking and processing will probably be completed before you’re allowed to make the call. Sometimes, it’s hours before an officer has the time to get you to a phone. They have many other things going on, and bringing a telephone to a screaming, angry, blubbering drunk is not high on the to-do list.

By the way, it is not a constitutional right to make a cellphone call during your arrest. You’ll have to wait to call your mom, brother, father, sister, brother, Auntie Sue.

10. Use your common sense. And for goodness sake, while an officer is placed cuffs around your wrists don’t quote law and police procedure based on what you’ve seen on TV. Those made-for-your-viewing-pleasure scripted lines are rarely accurate. Besides, at that point the officer isn’t listening to you anyway. Instead, they’re concentrating on getting you to the jail or police department without either of you getting harmed. That’s the goal.

Remember, if you resist an arrest the officer is permitted to meet that resistance with whatever legal means it takes to overcome it. They can’t simply let people go because a suspect suddenly decides they don’t want to be arrested.

Finally, do not operate a riding lawnmower on the roadway, especially while drinking alcohol.

 

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A Guide to "Cop Talk"

A guide to cop talk

Law enforcement definitely has a language all its own, and without a translator civilians can sometimes feel left out of the conversation. Here are a few simple terms worth remembering.

Affidavit: Written statement of facts given under oath.

AKA: Also Known As. “His name is Sam Smith, AKA Slick Sammy.”

BAC: Blood Alcohol Content. “Man, that guy was way past drunk. His BAC was .27.”

BOLO: Be On The Lookout. “Yes, Sir. We issued a BOLO for the robbers and their car. Hopefully, an officer will have them in custody soon.”

*APB is an outdated term/acronym that has been replaced by BOLO.

Bond: Money or other security posted with the court to guarantee an appearance.

CI: Confidential informant.

City: Refers to officers who work for city police departments. “The city will handle that case.” The same is true for county and state.

Civil Case: Private lawsuit, not one brought by the state.

Complaint: Statement given under oath where someone accuses another person of a crime. Officers may also refer to a call as a complaint. “Man, I caught two loud music complaints in one hour last night.”

Complainant: Person who accuses another. Or, someone who called the police. “Go to 1313 Mockingbird Lane. The complainant’s name is Herman Munster.”

Cook: Make/manufacture crack cocaine or methamphetamine.

Cooker: Person who manufactures crack cocaine or methamphetamine.

Drive Off: Person who left gas station without paying for fuel. “Unit 2023. Respond to Sally Sue’s Convenience Store. Report of a drive off. Suspect operating a 1964 Blue Rambler.”

ERT: Emergency Response Team.

Hit: Outstanding warrant, or stolen. “We got a hit on that car. It was stolen last night from the lot of Cheap and Totally Junk Used Cars.”

Hook ’em Up: To handcuff a prisoner.

Hot: Stolen.

Information: Paperwork (document) filed by a prosecutor that accuses someone of a crime.

Keyholder: Someone—manager/owner, etc.— who has the keys to a building. “10-4, the alarm is still sounding but all appears to be well. No signs of a break-in. Call the keyholder and have them meet me here so I can take a look inside.”

Knock and Announce: Requirement that officers knock on the door and announce their presence when serving a search warrant. “Police! Search warrant!”

LT:  Lieutenant.

OIC: Officer in charge. “Lieutenant A. Hole is OIC tonight. There’ll be no goofing off on this shift.”

PC: Probable cause. “Do you have PC to get a warrant?”

PIT Maneuver: Pursuit Intervention Technique (Attendees of the 2015 Writers’ Police Academy will have the opportunity to experience the PIT maneuver first-hand, while inside the cars during the performance of the technique).

Plastic: Credit card.

POST: Police Officer Standards and Training.

Priors: Previous arrests.

Ride the Chair: Die by electrocution.

Ride the Needle: Die by lethal injection.

Roll Up: Arrest someone.

Sally Port: A secure area—behind gates, doors, walls, etc.—at a police station, jail, or prison where prisoners are safely transferred from vehicles to the facility. Typically, a police vehicle drives inside the sally port where doors or gates are closed and locked behind them before prisoners are allowed to exit.

SORT: Specialized Operation Response Team

Stripes: Sergeant’s patch or insignia. (Three stripes indicates the rank of sergeant).

Strong-Arm Robbery: A suspect takes property, by force, threat, and/or intimidation, from another person without the use of a weapon.

T-Bone: Broadsided in an crash.

Verbal: A warning. “I gave him a verbal, but next time his butt’s going to jail.”

Visual: Able to see something or someone. “Have you got a visual?”

UC: Undercover officer.

Walk: To get off a charge. Released without a record.

Write – Issue a summons.

“Did you write him?”

“Yep. 87 in a 55.”

VIN – Vehicle Identification number. “Run the VIN on that car to see if you get a hit.”

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Friday’s Heroes: Remembering The Fallen

Friday's Heroes - Remembering the fallen officers

 

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Corrections Officer Timothy Davidson, 47

Texas Department of Criminal Justice

July 15, 2015 – Corrections Officer Timothy Davidson was beaten to death by an inmate who used an iron bar in the attack. Officer Davidson is survived by his two children.

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Patrolman John James Wilding, 29

Scranton Pennsylvania Police Department

July 12, 2015 – Patrolman John James Wilding died as a result of injuries he received during a foot pursuit of three juveniles who’d stolen a car.

Patrolman Wilding is survived by his wife and two children.

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Correctional Officer Gregory Dale Mitchell, 50

Georgia Department of Corrections

July 7, 2015 – Correctional Officer Gregory Dale Mitchell was killed in an industrial accident at the prison. He is survived by his wife.

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A Sad State of Affairs: Me, in Uniform

A sad affair: Me in uniform

It happens. You’re a detective who’s minding his own business and growing his hair out along with a scruffy beard in preparation for working an undercover assignment, when the boss calls to tell you to suit up for a special assignment. He needs warm bodies in uniform…as many as he can get, and fast.

So you (in this case, me) rush home and pull out the old Class A. It fits, barely. And I mean butt-seam-expanding barely. After all, it’s been years since I’d had it on. In fact, it had been so long ago that styes had changed and my fellow officers were currently wearing a different uniform entirely.

Next came the razor. The beard, after weeks of perfecting it to a drug-user-bad-guy appearance, had to go. But I had a moment of absolute “brilliance,” and decided to leave a sporty push-broom/porn-star mustache. Why? Who knows. Oh well, we do odd things when the pressure is on, right?

When I arrived back at my office, the chief took one look and said, “Your hair is too long. Get it off your ears. Can’t see them and I won’t have you looking like that in the morning papers, and they will be covering this one. And straighten those ribbons while you’re at it.”

There was no need to argue and no time for a haircut. So I, being such a creative genius already, did the next best thing—pushed my hair behind my ears and plopped one of those goofy cop/bus driver hats firmly onto my head to keep everything in place. All the while hoping I wouldn’t get into a scuffle where a bad guy knocks the hat from my head at the precise moment a reporter/photographer snaps a picture. That’s right, I was more worried about the hair-too-long news photo than a punch to the skull.

So…how well do you think I blended in with the rest of the guys—wacky mustache, razor burns on the cheek and neck (a few dots of dried blood as well), hair pushed back behind my ears forming what appeared to be a mullet of some sort, a bus driver hat that no one wore, and I mean no one, pants splitting at the seams across the rear end, and, well, you get the picture. I was NOT the prime candidate for a recruiting poster.

By the way, you’ll notice in the photo above that I wasn’t wearing a vest, and that’s because in my haste to get back to the PD I forgot to grab it from the closet before getting dressed. Actually, I was extremely lucky my shoes and socks matched, assuming they did.

Yeah, it happens, and it’s never pretty.

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