NCJ Number
62038
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 26 Issue: 10 Dated: (OCTOBER 1978) Pages: 30-32,34-35,45
Date Published
1978
Length
6 pages
Annotation
THE FIREARMS TRAINING PROGRAM OF THE TO HILLS (CALIF.) POLICE DEPARTMENT IS DESCRIBED AS A UNIQUE COURSE WITH MAXIMUM EMPHASIS ON REALISM AND VARIETY IN INSTRUCTING OFFICERS.
Abstract
TO TEACH OFFICERS HOW AND WHEN TOO SHOOT, THE BEVERLY HILLS POLICE DEPARTMENT DEVISED A COURSE OF FIREARMS TRAINING WHICH SIMULATES THE SITUATIONS AN OFFICER MAY ENCOUNTER ON DUTY. THE GOAL OF THE PROGRAM IS TO MAKE PROPER RESPONSE INSTINCTIVE DURING MOMENTS IN WHICH A LIFE MAY BE AT STAKE. PROPER TRAINING IS IMPORTANT TO THE BEVERLY HILLS' OFFICERS BECAUSE OF A HIGHER-THAN-NORMAL INCIDENCE OF SHOOTINGS FOR A SMALL DEPARTMENT. THIS EXCESSIVE USE OF DEADLY FORCE IS ATTRIBUTED TO THE FAST POLICE RESPONSE TIME FOR 'SUBJECT ON THE PREMISES' CALLS WHICH HAVE GREATER LIKELIHOOD OF RESULTING IN POLICE-SUSPECT ENCOUNTERS. A YEAR-LONG PROGRAM BEGAN IN 1977 WITH ALL OFFICERS FIRING A MODIFIED COMBAT DRILL USING THE WEAPON AND RELOADING EQUIPMENT CARRIED ON DUTY. THIS DRILL WAS REPEATED AFTER 11 MONTHS TO MEASURE EACH SHOOTER'S PROGRESS DURING THE YEAR. DURING THE INTERVENING TIME THE OFFICERS ATTENDED MONTHLY QUALIFYING SESSIONS (WITH SERVICE WEAPONS) AND SPECIAL COURSES FOR SHOTGUN TRAINING, NIGHT SHOOTING, SHOOT/NO-SHOOT DRILLS, AND BARRICADE TRAINING. EACH PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO DEVELOP SKILLS REQUIRED IN SPECIAL SITUATIONS, WITH EMPHASIS ON SAFETY AND THE ABILITY TO USE WEAPONS WITH SPEED AND ACCURACY UNDER DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES. THE PROGRAM ATTEMPTS TO RECREATE THE EMOTIONAL STRESS OF POLICE WORK SO THAT OFFICERS WILL BE CONDITIONED TO REACT CORRECTLY WHILE ON DUTY. THE FIRING RANGE PERMITS THE USE OF MOST POLICE WEAPONS WITHOUT COMPROMISING SAFETY OR REALISM IN USING LETHAL FORCE. THE OFFICERS ARE ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT THE TRAINING PROGRAM. ILLUSTRATIONS ARE PROVIDED. (TWK)