asyoung
Gold $$ Contributor
I can't speak for the nation, but I can speak for a half dozen or so law enforcement agencies in Mid Missouri. (mix of city, county, and state patrol). I am retired LE and an active HP competitor.
In addition to whatever training those agencies do on their own, twice a year I put on a training day for the area agencies at a 600 yard HP range. Other than obtaining zeros we spend very little time prone on bipods. They shoot from improvised positions with varying levels of support, make shoot/no shoot decisions, and do positive facial ID drills. Moving targets are engaged out to 300 yards and "pop up" targets out to 600 yards. While engagements beyond 100 yards are unlikely for these guys, there is no downside to having the capability.
I have consistently been impressed with how good these officers/deputies/troopers are and I work to make it more challenging each time as they step up and perform well at everything I throw at them.
I am fully aware that law enforcement firearms training is often insufficient. However, it is irresponsible to make blanket statements on how "bad" PD snipers are as these guys are very good. I cannot believe they are the only ones in the country that perform this well.
On top of the actual marksmanship challenges, on every deployment they face the possibility of criminal/civil proceedings (maybe lasting years), having their reputations and character trashed in the media, their families harassed, and financial ruin, all after doing their absolute best to make a life or death decision in circumstances that are "tense, uncertain, and rapidly evolving".
(Some of the deputies from rural sheriff's departments have purchased their own rifles and ammo as their departments simply do not have the budget for it.)
Most importantly, all these folks have signed on to run towards the problem.
Scott Young
Columbia, MO
In addition to whatever training those agencies do on their own, twice a year I put on a training day for the area agencies at a 600 yard HP range. Other than obtaining zeros we spend very little time prone on bipods. They shoot from improvised positions with varying levels of support, make shoot/no shoot decisions, and do positive facial ID drills. Moving targets are engaged out to 300 yards and "pop up" targets out to 600 yards. While engagements beyond 100 yards are unlikely for these guys, there is no downside to having the capability.
I have consistently been impressed with how good these officers/deputies/troopers are and I work to make it more challenging each time as they step up and perform well at everything I throw at them.
I am fully aware that law enforcement firearms training is often insufficient. However, it is irresponsible to make blanket statements on how "bad" PD snipers are as these guys are very good. I cannot believe they are the only ones in the country that perform this well.
On top of the actual marksmanship challenges, on every deployment they face the possibility of criminal/civil proceedings (maybe lasting years), having their reputations and character trashed in the media, their families harassed, and financial ruin, all after doing their absolute best to make a life or death decision in circumstances that are "tense, uncertain, and rapidly evolving".
(Some of the deputies from rural sheriff's departments have purchased their own rifles and ammo as their departments simply do not have the budget for it.)
Most importantly, all these folks have signed on to run towards the problem.
Scott Young
Columbia, MO
