Sheriff Bill Gore has been talking up his plans for high-tech intelligence-driven crime fighting, but he's also quietly hedging his bets by looking to acquire some heavy shooting iron.

The sheriff just hired Dr. Noah Fritz to be the department's crime analysis manager. According to his public LinkedIn profile, Fritz, assistant professor at Denver's Metropolitan State College from August 2006 until this May, got a PhD in Justice Studies and Social Inquiry from Arizona State University in 2006 and is a member of the International Associates of Crime Analysts.

(Fritz's interests include Crime and Intelligence Analysis, Golfing, Hiking, Camping, Biking, and is a Beer Connoisseur, according to his profile, which we've linked to below:)

http://www.linkedin.com/pub/noah-fritz/32/aa9/201

Meanwhile, the department has put out a "request for quotation" on six 40MM Single Launchers equipped with EOTech 512 sighting devices from Defense Technology, an arms maker based in Casper, Wyoming.

"The 40MM launcher can fire all Defense Technology/Federal Laboratories 40MM rounds," according to specifications on Defense Technology's website. "It incorporates an aluminum rifled barrel that comes equipped with a weaver scope mounting rail and a removable post sight. A padded nylon sling is included.

"WARNING: This product is to be used only by authorized and trained Law Enforcement, Correction, or Military Personnel. This product may cause serious injury or death to you or others. This product may cause serious damage to property. Handle, store and use with extreme care and caution. Use only as instructed."

The county also wants a quote on 414 rounds of 40MM projectiles, part number 6325, "brand name only, no substitutions allowed," as described on Defense Technology's site:

"The 40MM eXact iMpact Sponge round is “point of aim, point of impact” direct fire rounds that are most commonly used by tactical teams in situations where maximum deliverable energy is desired for the incapacitation of an aggressive, non-compliant subject."

"The 40MM eXact iMpact will prove most successful for incapacitation when used within its optimal energy range of approximately 10-75 feet, although it may be used in situations from 5 to 120 feet."

"The optimal zone offers the necessary energy and accuracy to target the large muscle groups of the buttocks, thigh, and even the knees of the subject.

"These areas provide sufficient pain stimulus, while greatly reducing serious or life threatening injuries. However, the size and weight of this rounds makes it the safest of all choices for engaging the abdomen or upper torso of the subject.

"The eXact iMpact Sponge round can also be deployed in crowd control situations to protect the riot line, cover or enhance chemical munitions, or targeting specific agitators and organizers of the crowd.

When used in this fashion, it is primarily both a psychological deterrent and physiological distraction serving as a pain compliance device to either get the crowd (or subject) moving or keeping them at a designated distance."

Here is the request for quotes from the county:

http://www.sandiegoreader.com/documents/2011/jun/03/sd-county-request-40mm/