NCJ Number
220050
Journal
Law Enforcement Technology Volume: 34 Issue: 8 Dated: August 2007 Pages: 96,98,101
Date Published
August 2007
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article presents nine rules for training law enforcement officers in how to shoot from cover, which involves using protective barriers in the field to gain an advantageous shooting position.
Abstract
The first rule is to "train as you fight; fight how you train." This means that training conditions should replicate various field conditions, such as poor lighting, likely shooting distances, and options for cover from which to gain a shooting advantage. When officers are trained under typical field conditions, they are more likely to perform in the field as they have been trained. The second rule is "slice in, slice out." "Slicing" means using angles to see and engage more of the target while exposing less of one's body to the opponent. Training should involve slicing into a barricade so as to increase an officer's speed and decisionmaking process. The third rule is "moving from cover to cover." When approaching the house/location of a potential shooter, move progressively from more distant to closer cover while assessing risk and the next strategic cover. Rule four is "simple is better." This means that it is better to master a few basic techniques than to be mediocre in performing dozens of techniques. This involves transferring basic shooting techniques from one scenario to another in so far as this is possible. The fifth rule is that "The greatest priority is to create threat-stopping hits;" i.e., choose cover and use it so that shot accuracy in immobilizing the opponent is enhanced. Other rules are as follows: "Do not produce targets of opportunity;" "do not let cover interfere with gear operation;" "looking around is better than looking over;" and "sometimes a retreat to cover is bad."