NCJ Number
62809
Journal
Trooper Volume: 14 Issue: 4 Dated: (OCTOBER 1979) Pages: 55,57-59
Date Published
1979
Length
4 pages
Annotation
VARIOUS COURSES DESIGNED TO SIMULATE STRESS SHOOTING FOR POLICE ARE DESCRIBED.
Abstract
RECOGNIZING THAT AN OFFICER'S 'REAL LIFE' USE OF FIREARMS IS CONDUCTED UNDER CIRCUMSTANCES OF EXTREME MENTAL AND PHYSICAL STRESS, POLICE EDUCATORS ARE DESIGNING MORE REALISTIC DEFENSE TRAINING PROGRAMS. ONE DESIGNED BY THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION WAS USED WITH ILLINOIS POLICE INSTRUCTORS. THE INTENT OF THE COURSE IS TO PLACE OFFICERS UNDER PHYSICAL AND MENTAL STRESS WHILE THEY ARE FIRING THE THREE BASIC POLICE WEAPONS--THE HANDGUN, SHOTGUN, AND HIGH-POWERED RIFLE. THE COURSE INCLUDES RUNNING AND CALISTHENICS INTERSPERSED WITH A VARIETY OF FIRING SITUATIONS UNKNOWN TO THE TRAINEES PRIOR TO PARTICIPATION IN THE COURSE. TARGETS DIFFERED, AND PARTICIPANTS WERE SOMETIMES TOLD TO SIMULATE BEING WOUNDED IN THEIR SHOOTING ARMS. THIS REQUIRED THEM TO AIM WITH THEIR WEAK ARMS. SPEED IN COMPLETING THE COURSE AND SHOOTING ACCURACY ARE THE MEASURES OF PERFORMANCE. ANOTHER TYPE OF STRESS COURSE INVOLVES SHOOTING AT NIGHT IN A SCENE ILLUMINATED BY FLASHING POLICE LIGHTS. IN THE INTERNATIONAL SHOOTING CONFEDERATION, THE COOPER ASSAULT COURSE IS A POPULAR PROGRAM. IT REQUIRES THAT AN OBSTACLE COURSE BE TRAVERSED WHILE SHOOTING AT VARIOUS TARGETS. THE OFFICER TIME INVOLVED, THE NECESSITY OF VARYING THE COURSE REGULARLY, AND DIFFICULTIES INVOLVED IN KEEPING THE COURSE'S FORMAT HIDDEN FROM THOSE WHO HAVE NOT YET PARTICIPATED MAKE MANDATORY PARTICIPATION IN A WELL-DESIGNED STRESS SHOOTING COURSE AN EXPENSIVE ENTERPRISE. THIS IS WHY SO MANY DEPARTMENTS HAVE OPTED TO STAY WITH STRESS VARIATIONS OF THE STANDARD COURSE. THIS OPTION HAS THE DISADVANTAGE OF NOT INCLUDING THE IMPORTANT ELEMENTS OF SURPRISE. THE IMPORTANCE OF GIVING OFFICERS THE NECESSARY PREPARATION FOR SHOOTING SITUATIONS DICTATES GIVING PRIORITY TO FUNDING THE COST OF TRAINING. (RCB)