NCJ Number
25234
Date Published
1974
Length
219 pages
Annotation
RESULTS OF A STUDY WHICH EXAMINED IN DEPTH THE PRESENT FIREARMS TRAINING PROGRAM OF THE NEW YORK CITY POLICE AND THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION TO DETERMINE WHETHER A MODEL POLICE FIREARMS PROGRAM CAN BE DEVISED.
Abstract
IN ADDITION TO STUDYING THE NEW YORK AND FBI PROGRAMS, INFORMATION WAS SOLICITED BY MEANS OF A SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE FROM 100 POLICE AGENCIES THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES ABOUT THEIR FIREARMS TRAINING PROGRAMS. THE METHODOLOGY OF THE STUDY IS FIRST DESCRIBED. A DISCUSSION OF THE RECENT WAVE OF ATTACKS ON POLICE, THE EFFECT THIS HAS HAD ON POLICE ATTITUDES, AND THE EVOLUTION OF THE LAW CONCERNING DEADLY FORCE IS PRESENTED. AN ANALYSIS AND REVIEW OF POLICE COMBAT SITUATIONS IS ALSO PROVIDED. THE EXISTING FIREARMS PROGRAMS OF THE NEW YORK CITY POLICE, THE FBI, AND OTHERS ARE THEN EXAMINED. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT FIREARMS TRAINING MUST INCLUDE NOT ONLY INSTRUCTION IN THE PROPER MECHANICAL OPERATION OF THE REVOLVER, BUT TRAINING IN THE EXERCISE OF GOOD JUDGEMENT IN ITS USE AS WELL. THE AUTHOR SUGGESTS THAT RECRUITS RECEIVE THEIR FIREARMS TRAINING ALL AT ONCE, AND THAT RETRAINING SESSIONS FOR EXPERIENCED OFFICERS BE GIVEN AS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE. IT IS FURTHER RECOMMENDED THAT THE BULK OF FIREARMS TRAINING BE CONCENTRATED ON THE USE OF THE .38 CALIBRE REVOLVER AND THAT THE 'PRACTICAL PISTOL COURSE' AS USED BY THE FBI AND MOST POLICE AGENCIES BE USED DUE TO ITS ADAPTABILITY TO COMBAT SITUATIONS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)