TX Game Wardens Hunt Terrorists: In addition to searching for people fishing and hunting illegally along the Texas Gulf Coast, game wardens in the state are now beefing up the department to combat the threat of terrorism. Dave Fehling of Houston Public Media reports that the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department recently acquired 100 devices that scans cargo coming into the Port of Houston in order to detect radiological and nuclear emissions. The department is taking this proactive approach in an effort to prevent terrorists from smuggling radioactive material into the U.S. via boat.
More Officers Buying Insurance in case of Lawsuits: Data released this week from the Fraternal Order of Police, the largest U.S. police union, shows an increase in law enforcement officers buying professional liability insurance policies after several high-profile officer-involved shootings have sowed fear among officers that they may face a lawsuit for on-duty actions. Julia Edwards of Reuters reports that between July 2014 and July 2015, the number of members who bought FOP's liability insurance spiked 15% while it only grew between one to three percent in previous years. The jump coincides with increased scrutiny of police officers following a wave of heavily publicized cases where deadly force was used against unarmed citizens. The insurance would not protect officers from criminal prosecution but would assist in the coverage of legal fees.
CA Sex Offender Convicted of Kidnapping, Assault: A registered sex offender was convicted earlier this month for the kidnapping and assault of a California real estate agent last year. Cameron MacDonald of the Elk Grove Citizen reports that 48-year-old David Burnhart faces a life sentence after being found guilty on March 11 of kidnapping, robbery, false imprisonment, possessing a firearm as a felon and assault with deadly intent to rape for the January 2015 kidnapping and assault. Burnhart lured the 34-year-old victim to a model home in a new development in Elk Grove, just south of Sacramento, under the ruse of being an prospective buyer. Once they were in the home, he threatened her with a handgun, handcuffed her to a closet rail and removed parts of her clothing. He was previously convicted of sexual assault in 2005. His sentencing is scheduled for April 29.
More Officers Buying Insurance in case of Lawsuits: Data released this week from the Fraternal Order of Police, the largest U.S. police union, shows an increase in law enforcement officers buying professional liability insurance policies after several high-profile officer-involved shootings have sowed fear among officers that they may face a lawsuit for on-duty actions. Julia Edwards of Reuters reports that between July 2014 and July 2015, the number of members who bought FOP's liability insurance spiked 15% while it only grew between one to three percent in previous years. The jump coincides with increased scrutiny of police officers following a wave of heavily publicized cases where deadly force was used against unarmed citizens. The insurance would not protect officers from criminal prosecution but would assist in the coverage of legal fees.
CA Sex Offender Convicted of Kidnapping, Assault: A registered sex offender was convicted earlier this month for the kidnapping and assault of a California real estate agent last year. Cameron MacDonald of the Elk Grove Citizen reports that 48-year-old David Burnhart faces a life sentence after being found guilty on March 11 of kidnapping, robbery, false imprisonment, possessing a firearm as a felon and assault with deadly intent to rape for the January 2015 kidnapping and assault. Burnhart lured the 34-year-old victim to a model home in a new development in Elk Grove, just south of Sacramento, under the ruse of being an prospective buyer. Once they were in the home, he threatened her with a handgun, handcuffed her to a closet rail and removed parts of her clothing. He was previously convicted of sexual assault in 2005. His sentencing is scheduled for April 29.
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