NCJ Number
159239
Journal
Sheriff Volume: 47 Issue: 6 Dated: (November-December 1995) Pages: 48,51,56
Date Published
1995
Length
3 pages
Annotation
Technology available to law enforcement has increased at a rapid rate over the past decade, and the area of police firearms training is no exception.
Abstract
The police firearms market is flooded with new types of semiautomatic handguns, as well as newer calibers and ammunition designs, and costs to outfit and train police officers have skyrocketed. The main cost factor is the actual training itself. A new police recruit should spend about 40 hours in initial firearms training, and inservice qualifications should ideally occur every quarter or at least semiannually. A comprehensive firearms training program should consist of the following areas: use of deadly force, home firearms safety, shooting and nonshooting situations, weapon maintenance and inspection, reloading and malfunction drills, accuracy firing, and reduced light training. Several police training systems are described, including the Firearms Training Systems (FATS), the CineTronic Firearms Judgment Simulator, and the ICAT Firearms Trainer. The need for adequate police firearms training in situations involving multiple suspects and the use of body armor by suspects is noted.