• Nothing’s worse than busting down the wrong door. (Trigger Pull Tactical)
• Drunk drivers tweet to avoid checkpoints. Who knew they were so coordinated? (POLICE Magazine)
• Vote every eight hours for your favorite Fire/EMS Blog of the Year. Well, at least vote once! (The Fire Critic)
• There might be ten reasons why men prefer guns over women. But we’re sure there’s plenty more for the reverse argument. (Trigger Pull Tactical)
• Nobody likes a Christmas Eve overdose. This one is especially sad. (A Tenderfoot in Tombstone)
• Four takes on one single question: Do you ever just go through the motions? (Rogue Medic)
• France’s new law brings up the question: How does one investigate psychological violence? (Slam Dunks)
• Behind the wheel? Try hanging up the phone. (Behind the Blue Line)
• Don’t lose your fingers this winter. And, yeah, it’s that cold. (Everyday EMS Tips)
• Bid a final adieu to the San Diego Police Department’s K-9 force. (Positive LEO)
• See the light (and the law) with Officer “Smith”. (Behind the Badge)
• And why yes, there is! (The Happy Medic)

With the new year comes a new show on the Outdoor Channel. S.W.A.T. Magazine TV brings its magazine pages to life with 30 minutes of adrenaline-pumping action. Hosted by staff writer and resident badass Rob Pincus, the show gives an insider’s look at law enforcement and military training.

By featuring different instructors each week, S.W.A.T. Magazine TV preps you for any home or self defense situation. The instructors’ personalities will also be on display with a behind-the-scenes glimpse into their lives. And though it hasn’t been confirmed, S.W.A.T. Magazine TV will likely highlight some pretty sweet tactical pant styles.

“Our goal with the show is to provide the same quality information that we provide in the magazine, but delve further into topics that our readers want to see,” Pincus said in a prepared statement.

Scheduled guest include Louis Awerbuck, Tony Blauer, Travis Haley, James Yeager and other instructors currently active in the military and law enforcement professions as well as magazine staff writers, instructors and industry representatives.

And then there’s this gem from the promo video: “If you can deal with that person properly using the tactics and the training that you’ve learned, and you don’t either have to severely injure or kill that person … that’s better for that person, and it’s better for that person’s family, it’s better for you and better for the county that you work for,” says a local sheriff.

Yes, not killing someone typically benefits all parties involved. Glean more sage advice starting on Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. EST in January.

Medics throughout the country are being armed and trained for tactical defense situations to better protect themselves and the ones in need. This month Law Enforcement Technology’s feature “Medics with Guns” captured how these SWAT paramedic teams are helping in dangerous situations.

The article looks at how Tactical Emergency Medical Service (TEMS) units can be vital when an officer is shot and unarmed medics aren’t allowed in the secured area. Although teams like these are forming across America, the magazine says that there are no set procedures on how to train tactical medics.

“I Googled TEMS just to see how other people are doing it, and it’s so varied … there’s no set way,” Lt. David Wood, commander of the Columbus (Ohio) SWAT team, told the magazine.

Click here to read the article.

Men of Tropic Thunder

As SmartMoney doles out tips on how to cut Halloween costs, we thought it’d be helpful to show how you can use the tactical pants you already own to put together a real badass, potentially frightening costume. Take advantage of the ideas below, or merely use them as a springboard for your own creative Halloween costumes.

• John Connor – Terminator Salvation brought the character who’s been portrayed by Edward Furlong and Thomas Dekker back to the big screen this year. Resurrect him again on All Hallows’ Eve by channeling Christian Bale’s ultra-intense version.
• Any character from Tropic Thunder. Even though this blockbuster might seem so last year, people (namely your friends) still consider the likes of Tugg Speedman or Kirk Lazarus to be cool. While Robert Downey Jr.’s character might require more time in the makeup room, the payoff is bound to be huge.
• G.I. Joe – There’s no better choice than this all-American hero. Give folks a much-needed ’80s flashback, and take advantage of the recent resurgence of the Hasbro toy in Hollywood.
• SpongeBob TacticalPants – So, they might not be square, but some tactical pants have that similar khaki color, right? And with all those roomy pockets, the pants easily will carry all of SpongeBob’s accessories like pet snail Gary and numerous Krabby Patties.
• Rambo – Does Sylvester Stallone ever get old? OK, don’t answer that. Even though Stallone should probably hang up that AK-47 soon, hulking John J. Rambo is pretty much a timeless American action protagonist.
• Another fellow serviceman – Switch things up: If you’re in the Army, dress like a SWAT team member. If you’re a police officer, dress like a soldier. It’s as easy as that.

Anybody can appreciate a great pair of cargo pants with an emphasis on durability and functionality. However, tactical pants are most often seen in the law enforcement community. Cops will wear their “tac pants” both on and off duty with regularity. ATF, ICE, SWAT Teams, FBI, Border Patrol are all orginizations that issue this techinical apparel directly to their personnel. You also find tactical pants being worn by private security contractors like Blackwater, special forces divisions of the military and outdoor enthusiasts alike. The question isn’t whether or not you are going to wear tactical pants, but rather, what brand do you prefer?

The styling of tactical pants is probably their most distinguishing feature. They have a rugged, technical look that screams tactical operator. Combining a pair of tactical pants with Oakley shades conjures up images of an elite special forces operator or SWAT team member. This coolness factor has contributed to the popularity of tactical pants even among those whose duties might not necessarily be all that “tactical”. They convey an authenticity and a functionality that has proven popular throughout the law enforcement community.

Most tactical pants offer two front pockets, two front bellowed cargo pockets, two rear pockets and typically one or two magazine or mobile phone pockets situated just above the cargo pockets. A hook and loop system is typically incorporated for keeping pocket contents secure. They have wide belt loops to accomodate the larger nylon BDU style belts and usually offer a zip fly. Other common features include slots to insert knee pads, double reinforced seat and knee construction and even Cordura lined front pockets to prevent fabric fraying caused by knife clips at particular stress points.