POLICE SHOTGUN - THE GREAT EQUALIZER (FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT BIBLE, 1978, BY ROBERT A SCANLON - SEE NCJ-49390)

• NCJ Number: 49398
• Author(s): R TRAYLOR
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 7 pages
• Corporate Author: Stoeger Publishing Co
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THE SHOTGUN IS THE MOST FORMIDABLE WEAPON IN THE POLICE ARSENAL; IT PROVIDES STRONG AND HIGHLY EFFECTIVE FIRE POWER AT BOTH CLOSE AND DISTANT RANGE.

Abstract

THE RIFLE SLUG IS A SINGLE LEAD PELLET OF APPROXIMATELY 72 CALIBER DIAMETER. USING THIS SLUG, THE SHOTGUN IS ACCURATE TO A RANGE OF ABOUT 125 TO 150 YARDS. THE RIFLE SLUG IS PARTICULARLY EFFECTIVE IN BUSINESS STAKEOUT SITUATIONS WHERE A RIFLE WOULD CAUSE MORE DAMAGE OR INJURY THAN NECESSARY. WHILE THE RIFLE SLUG HAS TREMENDOUS KINETIC ENERGY AND WILL PENETRATE A CAR DOOR, IT LOSES ITS PENETRATING POWER AND VELOCITY AFTER THE THE INITIAL HIT AND IS CONSEQUENTLY ONE OF THE SAFEST TYPES OF AMMUNITION FOR CONGESTED AREAS. NUMBER 4 BUCKSHOT (27 PELLETS OF ABOUT 24 CALIBERS EACH IN A SHELL) PROVIDES EXCELLENT STOPPING POWER WITHOUT REQUIRING CAREFUL AIM AT CLOSE RANGES UP TO 25 YARDS. MOREOVER, THE SHOTGUN HAS A POWERFUL PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECT ON SUSPECTS. IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT THAT DEPARTMENTS PROVIDING SHOTGUNS ALSO PROVIDE ADEQUATE TRAINING IN THEIR USE. IN ADDITION, IN SITUATIONS WHERE SHOTGUN USE IS AUTHORIZED, OFFICERS MUST BE CAREFUL TO STAY WITHIN THE GUIDELINES OF THE LAW. MANY MODELS OF SHOTGUN ARE MANUFACTURED. THE POLICE SHOTGUN IS USUALLY A SINGLE-BARREL PUMP-ACTION MODEL WITH RIFLE SIGHTS AND A BARREL LENGTH OF 18 TO 22 INCHES. IN SOME DEPARTMENTS, SHOTGUNS ARE SECURED IN THE VEHICLE, IN OTHERS THEY ARE ISSUED TO OFFICERS AS THEY GO ON DUTY. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT SHOTGUNS BE KEPT IN THE VEHICLE BUT HIDDEN FROM PUBLIC VIEW. THE FIRST STEP IN AN ADEQUATE DEPARTMENTAL SHOTGUN TRAINING PROGRAM IS THE STANDARDIZATION OF WEAPONS AND AMMUNITION. THE CHIEF AND LINE OFFICERS SHOULD MEET TO DRAW UP AN OUTLINE OF THE DEPARTMENT'S RESPONSIBILITIES AND COMBAT TRAINING NEEDS. THE FIREARMS INSTRUCTOR SHOULD BE SENT TO AN UPDATED TRAINING SCHOOL SUCH AS THE SMITH AND WESSON ACADEMY. THE INSTRUCTOR SHOULD THEN DEVELOP A TRAINING COURSE TO MEET OUTLINED NEEDS WHICH INCLUDES BOTH LECTURE MATERIALS AND PRACTICAL DEMONSTRATIONS. ONE OF THE BEST COURSES IS THAT OF THE LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT WHICH INCLUDES 10 HOURS CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION, 40 HOURS WEAPONS FAMILIARIZATION TRAINING, AND A QUARTERLY SHOTGUN COMBAT REFRESHER COURSE. (JAP)