FLETC bans the SERPA!

[Heavy Metal]

http://lightfighter.net/eve/forums/a...6120086563/p/3

Sent: Tuesday, January 03, 2012 11:24 AM
Subject: Fw: ADVISORY Blackhawk SERPA Holster



FYI - FLETC and many OIGs have discontinued the use of the Blackhawk SERPA



Subject: FW: Officer Safety Bulletin: Blackhawk SERPA Auto Lock System Holster

A CITP student accidentally discharged his weapon into his thigh at FLETC/Glynco last week. He had purchased a Blackhawk SERPA Auto Lock System holster and was using it for the first time. In October of this year, an agent shot himself in the buttocks during a staff qualification at FLETC Cheltenham using a Blackhawk SERPA. USAF OSI has prohibited their personnel from purchasing or carrying this holster.

The below notice was disseminated last week to all 1811s in HHS OIG, and they have given me permission to share it with the IG community's 1811 population.




SPECIAL BULLETIN
National Training and Emergency Operations Branch
Officer Safety Bulletin



Good Afternoon,

In our efforts to continually stay abreast of issues relating to officer safety, the National Training and Emergency Operations Branch (NTEOB) routinely evaluates the law enforcement equipment issued to or carried by OI personnel.

Recently, one such piece of equipment, the Blackhawk SERPA Auto Lock System holster, has come under scrutiny due to safety concerns involving the design of its retention safety device. There have been several recent documented cases, involving law enforcement and civilian personnel, where unintentional discharges have occurred while weapons were being drawn from this holster. Many of these unintentional discharges have resulted in gunshot injuries to the officers/agents involved.

The SERPA is one of the only holster system designed to use the trigger finger to release the retention safety device. This method of releasing the safety device is contrary to our training methods and techniques, which emphasize attacking the holster from the "top down." In addition, this retention system is completely different from the standard thumb-break holsters currently issued by OI. While it is true that one of the Cardinal Rules of firearms safety was violated by the individual placing his or her finger on the trigger before they were ready to shoot, we believe that the design of the SERPA holster facilitates this action by engaging the trigger finger well before the individual is prepared to shoot.

In light of these events and in accordance with OI policy, specifically Part 2, Section 2, Subsection IV B, NTEOB is suspending all use of the Blackhawk SERPA Auto Lock System holster by OI agents acting in an official, on-duty capacity. NTEOB will thoroughly research and evaluate the safety and effectiveness of this holster system and report on its findings.

In the meantime, those agents who may be affected by this safety bulletin should be directed to utilize their standard agency-issued holster to secure their weapon on their person. As a reminder, new standard issue holsters were previously issued to all OI 1811s. This is the recommended holster system. Should agents wish to purchase a holster, they should be informed that all holsters have to be approved by National Firearms Coordinator/NTEOB, as per policy.

Thank you in advance for your assistance and cooperation.

[Robb Jensen]

Excellent! There are far better comparable holsters which are far safer....such as the Safariland ALS.

[lethal dose]

i just crapped a cat.

[Microalign]

Thank God. I wonder how Blackhawk will respond to this.

BTW, calling it Flea-Tech is accurate. There was a major bedbug problem when I went through several years ago, and the ticks out in the woods during field ops are really bad too.

[RedHorseman]

It's all fun and games until someone gets shot in the thigh.

It is definitely a step in the right direction; however, I recently saw some other investigative agencies at FLETC still using the SERPA. For some reason, most of these federal agencies tend to be behind the power curve when it comes to firearms equipment. The only agency I have seen using the Safariland ALS is the U.S. Marshals Service

Microalign, I have not run into the fleas or ticks yet, but these sand gnats are vicious.

[Hop]

I've got one for a Walther P99. I hadn't heard of these Serpa AD until recently. Somewhere along the line didn't they modify these with a deeper finger channel?

I guess if I continue to use the P99 in the Serpa I'll carry uncocked. A lot of guns don't give you that option.

[.45fmjoe]

Thank God. I wonder how Blackhawk will respond to this.

BTW, calling it Flea-Tech is accurate. There was a major bedbug problem when I went through several years ago, and the ticks out in the woods during field ops are really bad too.

You must have been stuck in the crack houses. I didn't have any bug problems in the Taj.

[.45fmjoe]

It's all fun and games until someone gets shot in the thigh.

It is definitely a step in the right direction; however, I recently saw some other investigative agencies at FLETC still using the SERPA. For some reason, most of these federal agencies tend to be behind the power curve when it comes to firearms equipment. The only agency I have seen using the Safariland ALS is the U.S. Marshals Service

Microalign, I have not run into the fleas or ticks yet, but these sand gnats are vicious.

The little bastards are impervious to any kind of bug repellent, too. Any more Max Deet and I think my skin would have melted off. Didn't seem to bother the sand gnats, though.

ETA - Oh, and to keep this on track I hope the CITP student is doing well. I can only imagine the circus that caused. Glad FLETC has taken the initiative. I wonder how long it will take to trickle down to through all the agencies.

[sgtjosh]

I've got one for a Walther P99. I hadn't heard of these Serpa AD until recently. Somewhere along the line didn't they modify these with a deeper finger channel?

I guess if I continue to use the P99 in the Serpa I'll carry uncocked. A lot of guns don't give you that option.

Why teach yourself a bad firearms handling habit for the sake of continuing to use a $30 holster?

[C45P312]

Finally, a government backing on not allowing the serpa!

I was fortunate enough to not have anyone in my class use a serpa during FITP. Most, if not all, used leather holsters with and without retention. I think there was one agent that used a 6004 along with me unless the drill/exerciser/scenario called for concealment. They even thought I couldn't make the time constraint on the initial qual even though I'm pretty sure the qual times were to accommodate a revolver?