when cops need to pull their gun course

How often do police officers train with guns?

In reality, most police departments only train about two times a year, averaging less than 15 hours annually. In contrast to our frequency of training, those same suspects revealed that they practiced on average 23 times a year (or almost twice a month) with their handguns.

What do police do when they approach someone with a gun?

When approaching someone who's either holding a gun or indicating that they have one, police are trained to first take cover at a safe distance and create a barrier between themselves and the other person. This usually means ducking behind the police cruiser or a building.

Should law enforcement officers be trained to use firearms safely?

Because firearms are inherently dangerous, the need to train law enforcement officers (LEOs) in their safe and proficient use is a self-evident truth. While opinions differ regarding the type and amount of training and the standards of proficiency necessary for LEOs, it is irrational to argue that such is not essential.

Did police shootings happen that didn't need to happen?

Investigators cited dozens of instances of shootings that didn't need to happen caused by officers who drew their guns too early, shot too soon or otherwise failed to follow proper procedure. Add one more case to the growing list of cases to be scrutinized.

How often should I train for firearms?

The International Association of Chiefs of Police has suggested firearms training should preferably be held three times a year. Most of the legal beagles I’ve spoken to have suggested that annual, or even semi-annual, firearms training is insufficient for the purposes of avoiding liability.

How many times a week do police officers train?

The discussion was prompted by the fact that during the latest round of FBI suspect interviews conducted for the third book in the officer assaulted and murdered trilogy, Violent Encounters, it was revealed that those suspects believed police officers trained between two and three times a week with their firearms.

Is firearms training realistic?

The courts have said that our firearms training needs to be relevant and realistic. However, it must also be conducted regularly – as in occurring close enough to the incident in question so as to assist the officer in making proper deadly force decisions.

How many hours of training do police officers need in Ohio?

Police in Ohio are required to undergo 60 hours of firearms training and additional coursework that teaches them how to approach an armed suspect and use deadly force. (Thomas Ondrey/The Plain Dealer)

What happens when a suspect points a gun at someone?

If the suspect points a gun at someone, or reaches for a gun in a way that indicates they're going to shoot, police are allowed to fire. Police are trained to shoot at "center mass," or a suspect's torso where many vital organs are located.

What is the purpose of shooting don't shoot?

These include "shoot, don't shoot" exercises that simulate real-life armed suspect encounters. Training is also designed to teach officers how to search suspects for weapons, verbally engage suspects and deal with somebody who tries to grab their gun.

What is the most important aspect of police work?

The dialogue that happens between an officer and the suspect is what some experts call the most important aspect of police work. If the suspect complies, one officer should then search the suspect for any additional weapons while the other officer still has his or her gun drawn.

How many hours of training does the Ohio Peace Officers Training Commission have?

The Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission, an arm of the Ohio Attorney General's Office, sets the standards for police academies across the state. Of the 605 total hours the state requires for officer training, 60 hours are devoted to firearms qualifications. About a third of total training involves subjects related to deadly force, ...

What factors are considered when deciding whether to shoot a suspect?

They must consider the suspect's size, age, known history of violence or mental disability, availability of weapons and the suspect-officer ratio.

When approaching someone who's either holding a gun or indicating that they have one, what is the training answer

When approaching someone who's either holding a gun or indicating that they have one, police are trained to first take cover at a safe distance and create a barrier between themselves and the other person. This usually means ducking behind the police cruiser or a building.

Is it important to be armed?

All in all, it’s definitely important to be armed. But it’s just as important to be armed with knowledge — knowledge of how to be safe and responsible with firearms and knowledge of how to keep that right intact. Check out the USCCA’s new training platform to get the best training near you!

Can mandatory classes backfire?

Pushing for mandatory classes can easily backfire. And with those requirements, we could one day end up with classes so difficult and so rigorous (and possibly also so expensive and so time-consuming) that none of us would be legally allowed to have firearms anymore.

Is the FBI investigating the Arlington shooting?

But, the FBI has decided not to investigate the shooting. In a statement, the FBI says, “we have full confidence in the ability of the Arlington Police Department and the Tarrant County District Attorney’s office to conduct a thorough investigation of this matter.”.

Do police have to report when they draw their guns?

There are some agencies that require officers to report when they’ve drawn their firearms. But, that’s the “minority of agencies, not the majority.”. Back in July, a video surfaced showing a McKinney police officer unholstering his gun and slamming a 15-year-old girl to the ground.

Does Staton say that officers should be more careful when drawing their guns?

Though, it does make sense, Staton says. If an officer is going to be looked at every time they draw their weapon, they’re likely to be more careful. But, if an officer feels the need to use their firearm, Staton says, you really don’t want to restrict them.

Is every gun that comes out of a police officer's holster justified?

Staton says it’s likely that not every gun that comes out of a police officer’s holster is entirely justified. They are operating under different standards and rules. But, Staton says, “if they break the law, a police officer should be held accountable, just like anybody.”.

Is drawing a firearm a reportable use of force?

In response to the Standard listener Michael Harper, Staton says “there has never been a requirement or a rule or a constitutional standard that says that drawing your firearm is a reportable use of force.”. Staton says it’s not actually a use of force.

When a suspect pulls a gun or knife, what happens?

When a suspect pulls a gun or a knife — in other words, the cases when police are most likely to think their lives are at risk — experts argue that officers can't get close enough to use a Taser without putting themselves in danger.

Why is it important to keep officers safe?

The answer is that when it comes to use of force, keeping officers safe is the highest priority. An officer isn't expected to do something that might leave him in danger, simply because it's less violent to the victim. And police simply don't feel either Tasers or leg shots are reliable ways to disable a suspect.

What is the easiest target for an officer to hit?

The easiest target for an officer to hit, particularly in a high-stress confrontation, is the middle of the victim's body — what's called "center mass.". Police officers receive regular firearms training — so it's not that most officers are expected to be terrible shots.

How many agencies put tasers on the same level as lethal force?

A 2012 study found that out of 244 agencies surveyed that put "conducted energy devices" (the technical name for Tasers) on their force continuum, only five put them on the same level as lethal force. Ninety-eight percent of agencies recommended that, when presented with a deadly threat, deadly force was the only response.

Why do police use the force continuum?

They're supposed to do whatever's necessary to disable the threat. The purpose of the force continuum is to help officers figure out how much force they need to use to get to that point.

When did police use tasers?

When Tasers came on the market, in the late 1990s and early 2000s , they were marketed as an alternative to lethal force.

Who is the Richmond police chief?

But Richmond, CA police chief Chris Magnus, whose officers receive monthly firearms training, says it's important for police chiefs and the public alike to recognize that training can't replicate what officers encounter in the field: from the stress of a confrontation, to the weather and lighting.

How often do police officers fire their guns?

Many Americans believe it is common for police officers to fire their guns. About three-in-ten adults estimate that police fire their weapons a few times a year while on duty, and more than eight-in-ten (83%) estimate that the typical officer has fired his or her service weapon at least once in their careers, outside of firearms training ...

How many police officers have discharged their guns in 2015?

About one-in-five officers (22%) in areas with at least six and but fewer than 10 violent crimes per 1,000 residents in 2015 have ever fired their service weapon. By contrast, about a third (32%) of officers who work in areas with a lower violent crime rate have discharged their gun. In areas where the violent crime rate is 10 or more, ...

What is a snapshot of officers who are employed currently?

The study is a snapshot of officers who are employed currently, and it describes their past experiences. Second, it is important to bear in mind that the factors that are associated with firing a duty weapon cannot necessarily be said to have caused officers to discharge their gun. For example, while the study shows that officers working in larger ...

Do officers who have not fired their guns have more gun rights?

For example, while solid majorities of those who have and have not fired their weapon favor protecting gun rights over controlling gun ownership, officers who have fired their weapon are somewhat more likely to favor protecting gun rights than those who have not used their firearm. In fact, across a number of gun-related questions, ...

Can an officer shoot someone while on duty?

First, the fact that an officer has fired their service weapon while on duty should not be interpreted to mean that the officer shot someone.

Who is more likely to have ever fired their service weapon while on duty?

To start, male officers, white officers, those working in larger cities and those who are military veterans are more likely than female officers, racial and ethnic minorities, those in smaller communities and non-veterans to have ever fired their service weapon while on duty. Each relationship is significant after controlling for other factors ...

Do officers who have fired their guns have to be on duty?

In fact, across a number of gun-related questions, officers who have fired their weapon while on duty are less likely to favor some measures that would restrict gun ownership or provide more government oversight over gun sales. Officers who have fired their weapon differ from their colleagues on other issues as well.

Relevant, Realistic and Regular Training

See more on police1.com

What The Experts Recommend

What Should Be Included in Police Firearms Training?

References