NCJ Number
41370
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 46 Issue: 4 Dated: (APRIL 1977) Pages: 3-7
Date Published
1977
Length
5 pages
Annotation
A DESCRIPTION OF THE DEVELOPMENT AND USE OF THE POLICE FIREARMS COMBAT TRAINING COURSE DESIGNED BY THE ATLANTIC CITY (NJ) POLICE DEPARTMENT IS PRESENTED IN THIS ARTICLE.
Abstract
ALTHOUGH THE ATLANTIC CITY POLICE HAD A PRACTICAL PISTOL COURSE AND A TACTICAL REVOLVER COURSE, MANY OFFICERS FELT THAT THIS TYPE OF TRAINING WAS INADEQUATE FOR ACTUAL STREET COMBAT SITUATIONS. AS A RESULT, A COMBAT TRAINING COURSE WAS DESIGNED AFTER CAREFUL EVALUATION OF THE TYPICAL CIRCUMSTANCES INVOLVED IN POLICE SHOOTING INCIDENTS. COST, TIME AND SPACE CONSIDERATIONS ALSO FIGURED INTO THE DESIGN OF THE COURSE. BUDGET CONSTRAINTS DICTATED THAT ADDITIONAL ELECTRICALLY CONTROLLED TARGETS WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE. SPACE CONSIDERATIONS LED THE DEPARTMENT TO UTILIZE THE EXISTING RANGE FACILITY. THUS, THE COMBAT TRAINING COURSE UTILIZED THE EXISTING FACILITIES, BUT INCORPORATED ADDITIONAL FEATURES SUCH AS PORTABLE BARRICADES SIMILAR TO THOSE FOUND 'ON THE STREET' - MAILBOXES, FIRE HYDRANTS, TELEPHONE POLES, AND THE POLICE CAR. THE COURSE OF INSTRUCTION IS DESCRIBED, AND IT IS NOTED THAT THE COMBAT TRAINING COURSE ALLOWS OFFICERS TO TRAIN QUICKLY. OFFICERS FEEL THAT THE COURSE EQUIPS THEM FOR THE STREET BY INCREASING THEIR SKILLS AND BY MENTALLY PREPARING THEM FOR A SHOOTING SITUATION....DMC