PISTOL SHOOTING TRAINING, THE 'MODE' OR 'OUT-MODED'

• NCJ Number: 38879
• Journal: Journal of California Law Enforcement Volume: 2 Issue: 3 Dated: (JANUARY 1977) Pages: 113-117
• Author(s): S KENNERLY
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 5 pages
• Corporate Author: California Peace Officers Assoc
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THE AUTHOR ARGUES THAT EXISTING POLICE FIREARMS TRAINING IS INADEQUATE, AND DESCRIBES A SPECIAL COMBAT STRESS PISTOL COURSE DEVELOPED BY THE SANTA MONICA POLICE WHICH PROVIDES TRAINING IN TYPICAL POLICE SITUATIONS.

Abstract

STATISTICS ON POLICE FATALITIES ARE EXAMINED TO ILLUSTRATE THAT MOST POLICE FIREARMS TRAINING DOES NOT PREPARE OFFICERS TO FACE DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. INSTEAD OF STANDARD FIRING RANGE TRAINING, THE AUTHOR PROPOSES THE USE OF A COMBAT-STYLE COURSE WHICH SIMULATES POLICE WORK SITUATIONS. ONE SUCH COURSE, DEVELOPED IN SANTA MONICA, HAS THE FOLLOWING CHARACTERISTICS: CLOSE RANGE FIRING, POOR LIGHT, VIDEO AND AUDITORY DISTRACTIONS, AND PHYSICAL STRESS. OFFICERS USE LIVE AMMUNITION AND FIRE AT SILHOUETTE TARGETS. USING THIS 'REAL-LIFE' COURSE, OFFICERS' COMBAT SHOOTING ABILITY WAS FOUND TO BE DEFICIENT. THE AUTHOR URGES THAT PISTOL COURSES SUCH AS THIS BE USED TO REDUCE OFFICER DEATHS IN SHOOTING INCIDENTS.