NCJ Number
142314
Journal
Texas Police Journal Volume: 41 Issue: 3 Dated: (April 1993) Pages: 1-4
Date Published
1993
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article describes the firearms training regime used by the Lamesa Police Department (Texas), a small department with a limited budget.
Abstract
Under Texas law, each police agency with three or more officers must appoint a firearms proficiency officer. The proficiency officer must maintain records of firearms proficiency that will remain within the department. Each agency is required to conduct one firearms qualification each year. The Lamesa Police Department has quarterly qualifications: one night tactical qualification, one day tactical qualification, one night marksman qualification, and one day marksman qualification. The department currently has five certified firearms instructors. An annual meeting is conducted to determine the needs and goals of the department in firearms training and qualifications. Under the direction of the range master, each instructor is assigned to develop a specific course of fire to be used during quarterly qualifications. Upon completion of the qualification course, it is reviewed and approved by each instructor so as to ensure that training objectives for that quarter are met. This article describes the firing range, night qualifications, the target, the distance between firer the target, time limits, dress, "shoot/don't shoot" training, reloading, and alternative levels of force.