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How Good Is The Average PD Sniper?

rckendall

I am a fairly new shooter to F Class and with enthusiasm I share my experiences with people I am around. One fellow I know who was a police officer many years ago, always talks about their sniper training and that they would only shoot one shot and that it would be a head shot and done deal.

I've read the book about Carlos Hathcock and seen documentaries on tv about snipers, but they are focused on the outstanding men and situations. I am curious as to what the normal, average policeman is trained to do by his department. What yardages do they shoot, etc, etc?

Comments please.

Thanks
Richard
 
From my observations at our local range the old retired regulars who shoot several times weekly are better shooters than the local PD who come out monthly to qualify. Just casual observation but it looks like the PD is shooting around 2moa in the 100-200yd range. And notice I said shooters, sniping with a human in the sights is a different mindset which I am sure would rattle many given the high pressure situations.
 
I think each department is going to be different depending on 1.) financial resources; 2.) who is the Mayor and just how "Pro-Police" he / she is; 3.) how "Pro-Police" the actual Chief of Police is; and 4.) how well versed are the Lieutenants, Captain and Asst. Chief(s) are in shooting etc..
I remember in Houston back in the 80's and 90's we had "Accurized" Remington 700's and were handloaded. When it went to "stock / off the shelf" Remington "Police Tactical" rifles, I don't know. They also went to Federal GM Match ammo. At one time, Houston put a premium on the S.W.A.T. teams. Now they are still important, however, not as important as they used to be.. AND I know that the $$$s have gone down. I said all this to say that even the BEST S.W.A.T. snipers are limited by the amount of practice they receive and the quality of the equipment they are issued. Some of them I am quite sure, IF they were issued a "Full Blown" F-Open Rifle and could practice at will with proper handloads, would do as well as anybody could!
 
Based on the title I completely missed the focus of this thread. I thought PD was referring to "prairie dog"...

My bet is that most serious varmint hunters ability far exceeds most law enforcement shooters ability. As usual, there are probably exceptions and I could be wrong.
 
I'm a police officer , not a sniper though. Our department does spend big money on 308 guns built by terry cross. That said a police sniper situation is not likely to be past 100 yds for a number of legal and liability reasons. I have tried to get the snipers to come shoot an f class/ prone match as they are required to qualify monthly and are supplied with unlimited ammo. To this date not one has done so.
Most don't have what I consider good dope past 100 and none can read wind very well.
 
I remember reading an FBI report that said 90% of law enforcement sniper engagements were under 75 yards. I've know a few army and marine snipers through my father and brother that are military. They were very good shots. PD, not so sure
 
Our LEO swat teams used to have a Dillon 550 in the basement and loaded all their own practice ammunition. Those guys were all varmint shooters in their free time. Their emphasis was on head shots as well, in a hostage situation a brain shot keeps any reflexive trigger twitch from harming the hostage(s). It was a challenge to get to train as one. By comparison to the military during the 60's and 70's; I did three tours in RVN, back to back to back, and our Division (23rd) had a three week sniper school. My Ranger Company was lucky enough to have several OM 70's in 30-06 with Unertls.
We were issued LC Match at the school.
 
Your normally limited in line of sight so most engagement takes place in some what short distances there's normally cars,buildings etc in the way..
As posted , most of the time only 100 yards or so becouse of this..

Next time you drive through a neighborhood look at how tight things are , unlike an open battlefield.. If you miss with a 9mm its one thing. If you miss with a .308 its gona travel and that can't be allowed to happen..
 
The correct terminology at least in my region is Urban sniper in our department. Shots typically are inside of 300 yards with shots of 100-200 much more typical. Also be advised the number of shots taken by these positions are very minimal. Minimal as they may be, they are precise and exactly where they were trained to be. Remember shooting paper and steel or game animals is nothing like shooting a biped with a possible hostage or potential suicide suspect. Many want to be shot by police making this an entirely different strategy and difficult position for law enforcement to be in. Yes shots are not at ranges that many members here make exceptional shots at but LE sharpshooters are not trained in that area. It's also much more stress oriented for the response team shooter placed in this scenario. Ranges are dependent on true suburban or rural scenarios. Most big cities require much closer shooting scenarios where rural towns that state police ERT teams send there sharpshooters are much more open requiring longer shot locations.
 
When and where did this police "sniper" thing come from? Hollywood? The belief that all men are created equal? As in sniper vs marksman. They have always been referred to as marksman, or, sharpshooter.
 
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I would say practice makes for a better shot. BUT most PD scenarios are within 200yds. I can't imagine a PD having to shoot longer distances in an urban environment. My agency snipers practiced at the range four times a month or once a week. They shot out to 200 yds max, and usually within the 150-200 range.
 
I taught police snipers and ran sniper schools for years. First don't compare police sniper situations to military ones. Apples and oranges. The average police sniper shot in the US is within 80 yds. The Remington 700 in 308 is the most used weapon and Federal 168 Match the ammo of choice for most departments. The biggest problem with most police snipers is training not the officer. Average sighting range is 100 yds. Few depts train past this distance or on moving targets.

Next time ask this question:
How did you become a police sniper?
Answer usually goes something like this. The team needed a sniper so i volunteered. So everything he learned came by osmosis when his hand touched the rifle.
 
rckendall said:
I am a fairly new shooter to F Class and with enthusiasm I share my experiences with people I am around. One fellow I know who was a police officer many years ago, always talks about their sniper training and that they would only shoot one shot and that it would be a head shot and done deal.

I've read the book about Carlos Hathcock and seen documentaries on tv about snipers, but they are focused on the outstanding men and situations. I am curious as to what the normal, average policeman is trained to do by his department. What yardages do they shoot, etc, etc?

Comments please.

Thanks
Richard
Click to expand...
i don't know.. why don't you ask Ken Potter that question.. or Carl B. Kovalchik
 
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