Posted: 8/3/2016 10:23:22 PM EDT
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This message was approved by Striker... thanks brother. This was also posted in Team.
Ladies and Gentlemen, This forum has been very generous to me in the past when I have held fundraisers (for one of our own ARFCOM members, and my best friend, who was shot (Blitz_308), and one of my fellow officers who was dying of brain cancer). I would like to call upon the generous hearts of AR15.com once again. I am a Sergeant for the St. Louis Police Department. I supervise 10 officers who ride some of the roughest streets in St. Louis. Currently, our Department does not issue any rifle plate or ballistic helmets (nor does it have a patrol rifle program)... so we are on our own here. As a result of some of the violence/hate that Law Enforcement has encountered over the last couple years and in particular in the last month, my extended family started a GoFundMe page to raise money to help my officers who wish to purchase supplemental armor/helmets in these dangerous times. They then contacted me and asked if I would help in this. Of course I agreed so that my guys can go home safe in the event of an attack. I don't want to be that guy who has to bury one of his officers because he/she didn't have adequate protection in the event of an ambush. I am fortunate in that I already have good kit that I have saved and paid for over my career. Others are not so fortunate. This is not for me... it is for those that work for me. I am simply asking for everyone's help. I know that I will not be able to help everyone, but if I can help my squad... and maybe a few others if there is enough left over... then this will be a success. I would like to think of myself as an honorable person with integrity. My officers and I care for the community that we serve. Those who know me here can vouch for me. I run a tight ship and make sure that my officers maintain honor, integrity, and treat everyone fairly and with dignity. We are not all bad. Officers don't make a lot of money. Those of us who have families are already stretched and have to work several jobs just to make ends meet. Please consider chipping a few bucks this way or forwarding the link on so I can help my officers purchase some good kit. Please IM me if you have any questions. Here is the link: https://www.gofundme.com/2fgyfy2k Again, everyone. Thank you for the help. I'm sure that there are some here that have negative feelings towards law enforcement. Please remember, a vast majority serve with honor and integrity. My officers and I work very hard to help the areas we ride... and I have worked hard to gain a strong and honorable reputation in these areas. We as LEO live in VERY dangerous times. I appreciate your help and consideration. My officers and I are in your debt. Sgt. Kujoe St. Louis Metropolitan Police |
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I live in the STL area as well. Something that might help you guys out ALOT is a gun/tactical store in St. Charles(i think) is offering an at cost deal for LEO's for some ballistic protection.
Good luck on raising enough to fight the good fight! Ill spread the word! Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
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Quoted: I'm surprised the dept doesn't cover that stuff. What's the average salary of the 10 officers you supervise? The Dept provides the bare minimum by the lowest bidder. We get soft body armor... but that will not cut it in an ambush rifle attack. |
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Quoted:
They are relatively new officers. I would say 40s is the average. That doesn't go very far when supporting a family, schooling, etc... The Dept provides the bare minimum by the lowest bidder. We get soft body armor... but that will not cut it in an ambush rifle attack. Quoted:
Quoted:
I'm surprised the dept doesn't cover that stuff. What's the average salary of the 10 officers you supervise? The Dept provides the bare minimum by the lowest bidder. We get soft body armor... but that will not cut it in an ambush rifle attack. You guys are seriously underpaid for what you do. Good luck outfitting your guys! |
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Quoted: You guys are seriously underpaid for what you do. Good luck outfitting your guys! Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: I'm surprised the dept doesn't cover that stuff. What's the average salary of the 10 officers you supervise? The Dept provides the bare minimum by the lowest bidder. We get soft body armor... but that will not cut it in an ambush rifle attack. You guys are seriously underpaid for what you do. Good luck outfitting your guys! |
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Quoted:
They are relatively new officers. I would say 40s is the average. That doesn't go very far when supporting a family, schooling, etc... The Dept provides the bare minimum by the lowest bidder. We get soft body armor... but that will not cut it in an ambush rifle attack. Quoted:
Quoted:
I'm surprised the dept doesn't cover that stuff. What's the average salary of the 10 officers you supervise? The Dept provides the bare minimum by the lowest bidder. We get soft body armor... but that will not cut it in an ambush rifle attack. Hell, I'm a 20 year officer making in the 40's....but I've got great gear. Money sent. |
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Would you mind sharing what plates you're looking to get for these guys? Also, I'm assuming these are plates that would be thrown on top in hostile situations and not daily carry?
Certainly plenty of debate about what the appropriate level of threat protection is (III,III+,IV), but we could probably help pointing to the best deals for the money collected, in terms of protection, weight and comfort. |
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Have you looked into the SLR rifle works grant programs for rifles?
link |
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Won't happen. Our admin will not allow an AR program. This is a battle I have waged with my department for years. They have nearly beat me into submission. |
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Quoted: Would you mind sharing what plates you're looking to get for these guys? Also, I'm assuming these are plates that would be thrown on top in hostile situations and not daily carry? Certainly plenty of debate about what the appropriate level of threat protection is (III,III+,IV), but we could probably help pointing to the best deals for the money collected, in terms of protection, weight and comfort. My goal is to provide a carrier that will offer two options. Officer will either be able to use both their body armor/plates at the same time in one package or use the carrier on when needed with the plates. More and more officers are rolling with plates and SBA at the same time. An ambush will occur before one is able to put the plates on. I'm also looking for ACH helmets. There is an officer walking around in Orlando right now thanks to one. |
| While you may have certain models/manufacturers in mind or required for helmets, what I did for myself when I was still working law enforcement was I went the surplus PASGT helmet route. I picked up a surplus medium sized PASGT (which looked unused) off eBay, spray painted it flat black then put in the contemporary foam pads which are attached with velcro then a 4 point (or 3 point? don't remember what its called) headband and chinstrap combo. Its set up like the military style and is better protection in impacts or explosions. I did it all for less than $100 but today it will probably be a bit more. I also added some of the military goggles from eBay and kept it all in a bag and in the trunk of my squad car. Never needed it fortunately but it was nice to have in case. My department was useless on these items also, but did provide an AR15. |
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Quoted:
They are relatively new officers. I would say 40s is the average. That doesn't go very far when supporting a family, schooling, etc... The Dept provides the bare minimum by the lowest bidder. We get soft body armor... but that will not cut it in an ambush rifle attack. Quoted:
Quoted:
I'm surprised the dept doesn't cover that stuff. What's the average salary of the 10 officers you supervise? The Dept provides the bare minimum by the lowest bidder. We get soft body armor... but that will not cut it in an ambush rifle attack. I recently got this email from London Bridge. They are offering a special deal for some awesome gear, LEO/First Responders only. Happy to pass this on to my brother and brothers in blue. London Bridge Will hit up the gofundme when I can. Stay safe out there. We have your back should you need it. <<<<< Former LEO. |
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Ladies and Gentlemen, This campaign has gone really well. Thank you so much for your support. I'm hoping that we can get to $2500 as I am skeptical at being able to raise $5000. Quite honestly, the fund was started without my knowledge and that was a very lofty number. If we can get to $2500, it will cover my whole squad with the basics. We are so close. Please help me get to $2500. Share the link. Tell your friends. If you watch the news, looks like the world is going to get "Hot" again today. Thank you ARFCOM. Sgt. Kujoe |
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USD $100 donated in memory of SLMPD Officers Nick Sloan and Gary Thurman. Gary was my partner at a couple of different jobs, and knew Nick. Do me a favor and teach your guys weapons retention, as well. Nick was killed with his own weapon, and was shot above the vest.
http://www.odmp.org/officer/17120-police-officer-nicholas-kevin-sloan http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=94081792 |
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SGT Kujoe,
I'm in: worked in the city for many years (between the brewery and river, bet you know the large walled compound). Actually, a couple of my co-workers are former STL police. I definitely understand the difficulty of the job you do daily ("St. Sandwich" x 10,000). I'll never see it, but most of my co-workers are "thrilled" about the potential new facility to be built on old Pruitt-Igoe site.... |
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Thank you all! As you no doubt have seen, we have hit... and surpassed... the $2500 mark. I am going to be able to outfit my guys with what they need thanks in large part to you. Ms. Curtis will be leaving the fund open through the weekend, but will be closing it down on Tuesday. I can't express my thanks enough to everyone. Once I order the kit and it comes in, I'll snap a pic for you guys to see what you have done. Thank you again. |
