Each year, Law Officer teams up with the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) at SHOT Show to deliver tier-one educational content to law enforcement. The preeminent shooting, hunting and outdoor tradeshow, SHOT’s law enforcement pavilion continues to grow. If you missed it this year, make plans for next year now! Below is a taste of what was learned.
Tactical Magnified Optics on Patrol Rifles?
By Frank Martello, Law Enforcement Programs Supervisor, Trijicon
Sponsored by Trijicon
Magnified optics have been in use by military and law enforcement agencies for many years mostly in the hands of scout sniper teams. The primary objective of these sights has always been enhanced accuracy at extended ranges and they certainly meet this requirement very well. But too many agencies prohibit their use on tactical rifles (patrol and SWAT) in the mistaken belief that they served no practical purpose in close-quarters applications. This assumption overlooks the technological evolution of tactical magnified optics and their potential in the areas of accurate decision-making and information gathering by perimeter officers in active shooter, barricade and other stand-off situations.
We in law enforcement know all too well that “a good shot is not necessarily a good shoot.” The rules of engagement established by case law are strict and unforgiving. Deadly force is only justified when an officer can objectively articulate that a suspect posed an imminent threat of seriously bodily injury or death to the officer or an innocent third party.
This assessment standard is difficult enough at close quarters. What happens when the suspect is 25–80 yards away in a parking lot or down the hallway of a school? Tactical magnified optics can enhance the accuracy of the force-decision at extended distances and thus can serve as a liability shield, as well as a force multiplier, to individual officers and their agencies. More accurate information streaming to the incident commander, more accurate information to the force decision maker and more accurate fire when deadly force is called for make tactical magnified optics on patrol rifles a win-win-win combination!
Low-Light Tactics
By John T. Meyer, TeamOne President
Sponsored by Streamlight
Although knowing how to shoot a gun with a flashlight is certainly a necessary survival tool, the officer operates in low-light conditions far more than they shoot in low-light conditions. In general, we need to do a better job as a profession in training in low-light conditions.
These days, there are more than eight versions of techniques that employ a flashlight and a handgun. (The FBI and Harries techniques are most common.) But no matter how many techniques you try, you must find the one or two that work best for you and stick with them instead of introducing new techniques every time you train.
A gun-mounted light isn’t an illumination tool; consider it an element of a law-enforcement weapons system. Officers should check their firearm for proper operation with a gun-mounted light attached prior to any deployment. In some cases, the additional weight has affected firearm performance, and adding a light may also affect the firearm’s handling characteristics if you don’t train with it attached.
Thinking about Buying a Simulator?
By David O’Meara, Director of law enforcement systems at Meggitt Training Systems
Sponsored by Meggitt
Today’s systems can be built to a department’s needs. From wireless weaponry to shoot-back systems, it’s important to speak with a manufacturer that understands the needs of law enforcement. Based on the department’s need, the manufacturer’s representative can assist in identifying what is and isn’t needed in order to develop system pricing.
When considering an immersive firearms training simulator, a training officer and/or procurement officer needs to ask about system and firearms capabilities, warranties, a manufacturer’s history and system reliability. The training officer needs to look at weapon types and quantity needed, and whether or not the system will be a shared resource.
While it’s important to ask questions of the manufacturer, it’s important to speak with other departments and agencies that have already integrated a firearms training simulator into their training program. Look at their facility, their training needs and their training volume and see how it compares to what’s needed. Ask about pros, cons and lessons learned.
Techniques for the First Responder
By Will Mercado & Steve Jones
Sponsored by CTS
In the past, the challenges of breaching were limited to SWAT teams and drug enforcement units. Today, the importance of the first responder and the increase in active shooter incidents poses breaching challenges at all levels of policing, especially the patrol first responder.
This course is relevant to all levels of law enforcement, specialized tactical units and patrol first responders. However, the information presented was intended to serve as a guide for the tools and tactics required for breaching doors, windows or defeating variety of criminal countermeasures impeding entry or rescue efforts in emergency situations.
Also presented at SHOT Show 2013:
• Deputy Chief Marc Joseph of the Las Vegas (Nev.) Metro PD and Dale Stockton present “Below 100: Cut LODDs in Half—Now!”
• R.K. Miller presents “Tactical Tools and Truths.”
• Don Kester and Ed Allen of the National Tactical Officer’s Association (NTOA) present “Barricaded Suspects from Patrol to SWAT: Lessons Learned” and “Controversial Issues in LE.”
