NCJ Number
213207
Journal
Law Enforcement Technology Volume: 33 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2006 Pages: 80,82,86
Date Published
January 2006
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the importance of training and technique to effective shotgun speedloading.
Abstract
The author advises that, first, training is the key to fast and efficient speedloading and, second, speedloading should be done in the same manner that an officer would traditionally load a shotgun when not under stress. The article outlines the typical speedloading technique that police officers are taught in training. This technique is criticized because officers are taught to rely on their weak hand to execute the fine motor skills necessary to quickly reload a rifle. This will always lead to fumbling, according to the author. Instead, the typical method of reloading a rifle under nonstressful situations is outlined as the author argues that not only is this method actually the best to use under stressful situations but for two main reasons as well. First, it overcomes the problem of relying on the weak hand for fine motor coordination and, second, it is the method most often practiced and used by officers, making it more reliably executed under stressful conditions. The combination of good training and good technique leads to effective policing. Case examples are used to illustrate the main points. Exhibits