How are law enforcement trained?

TRBLSHTR

One of the stories that I read about the "boat-terorrist"in boston that some stray round(whether ricochet or miss)came into some family's house and killed their television as they were watching it-and seeing as only the police were doing the shooting.........What they forgot that they had shotguns?I listened to a recording of when they went to apprehend the guy from the boat and that "salvo"sounded like a "Mad Minute" from one of my old military unit days!I think that the city of boston or the PD should buy that guy a new boat-with all the trimmings! Razz

Donut Slayer

TRBLSHTR, I was thinking the same thing when I was watching the video. I told my wife, "I bet that boat owner is on the phone with a boat builder right now finalizing the plans." Smile

radar

If I might be so bold to put my 10c worth on the table.
As a level 1 responder in the NZ police I get some form of defensive tactic training every 4 months that could be live firing (glock or M4) interactive computer shooting, taser shots plus baton and empty hand tactics, these can all be in the one day depending on circumstances. Last week we trained with weapons doing room clearance for active shooters-no rounds just tactical deployment. Yes a lot of the problem is trigger time and not enough of it, but like most of you I do more shooting of my own. Yes it does come down to cost, remember taking me off the street for 8-10 hrs for training has a financial cost.
I can give my perspective as I've come within a few milliseconds of firing on more than 1 occasion. The adrenalin is pumping, everything narrows down and your bum is doing a massive twitch exercise, no matter what, I was going home, if it had taken 5 shots to incapacitate so be it. And I'm a hunter so I can control the way my body physiologically reacts. For most of the boys in blue this isn't the case. Easiest way to test is to make them sprint 100m then try to put rounds onto a target at 20 m, unless you've trained about 60% of your rounds won't even hit the paper.
There's also a lot of jokes about police shooting whilst some are bloody hilarious they didn't become jokes without some element of truth behind them. I could go on but that's my take on it.

slimjim

Thanks for your insight, radar.

Elvis

good man Radar I was hoping you would chime in.
give em more training and to hell with the cost, pity the bean counters dont see it that way though.

Vince

Talking to a mate in NY, who is also a LEO, Police in NY have only one range practice a year and they get only 100 rounds. But to be fair to the NY Police, there are an awful lot of them and that equates to lots of time and money.

Still, that's no excuse for what happened.

slimjim

In the situation in Boston with suspect No. 2, there was plenty of time to think that situation through. It wasn't necessary to open up on with a "hail" of gunfire when a single wounded suspect was surrounded by 4000 LEOs. Plus I would expect the LEOs in this situation where the most well trained and prepared. They were dressed in Army battle gear and bullet protection.

Vince

Every one had to "get their kick in" mate...you know the type..."I put a bullet into the Boston Bomber". Very Happy

TRBLSHTR

yea-I guess that will look good on their evals for promotion!Maybe we should ask the homeowners near the boat? Embarassed

gelandangan

I think I got to join in this here discussion.
Although I share slimjim's sentiment to a point, I also can see it from the other side.
I thought it is not right to blame the police for their lack of training, lack of man power, or lack of accuracy when firing a gun.
I believe that the one to blame are the politician that meddle with the funds for essential services such as the police.

Police are human, they can die and get injured when bullets are coming towards them.
There are no paycheck large enough IMHO, to play hero and charge in the path of incoming bullets to ensure that my one shot get in the right place.
If one of my bullet probably going to hit my target, then plenty of them would increase my chance.
So what if they made a few holes on other objects? The aim is to go home to the family, kiss the wife, eat steak, drink beer and help the kids with homework.
Not to be some kind of action hero, or win the accolade of the public for being the most accurate shot.

My cheers to those that serve in the police.
Mates, you deserve no less accolade than the soldiers that serve to fight evil overseas.
In fact your jobs are much more difficult, for the enemies are protected by law of your own.

Elvis

hear hear
couldnt agree more.
if they had lobbed a stun granade into the boat and popped out all the neighbours windows it wouldnt be overkill.

Dimitri · Super Member Joined: Nov 25, 2005 Posts: 5946

If I posted my opinion of what the officers did, or did not do wrong during the boat take down, Dallan would probably ban me. Laughing

Dimitri

chambered221

I'm with Big D on this one........ gonna keep my mouth shut !!! Shocked

Ominivision1

I'm also with D and chambered on this, here is a post from former rep Ron Paul on the boston shutdown. lewrockwell.com/paul/paul858.html

English Mike

gelandangan wrote:

I thought it is not right to blame the police for their lack of training, lack of man power, or lack of accuracy when firing a gun.
I believe that the one to blame are the politician that meddle with the funds for essential services such as the police.

Exactly.
The politicians who decide training isn't worth the $ are largely to blame for poor performance when shooting becomes the only option.
I'd want to be shooting at least 200 rounds a month to keep my handgun skills anywhere near what I consider acceptable.
Due to my circumstances (living in the UK) this doesn't happen & I get to practice a couple of times a year, just like many LEO.
I'll tell you this: my proficiency with the first couple of magazines absolutely SUCKS.
That's what a LEO has to face when he is called on to shoot; mostly he'll be no damn' good unless he practices in his own time, on his own dime.
It's only after 50 or 60 rounds down range that I even begin to shoot in anything like a competent manner & double that before the muscle memory comes back.