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Law Enforcement Torch Run
Posted by: | CommentsOn May 25, 2010, I participated in the 25th Anniversary of the Missouri Law Enforcement Torch Run. For those of you not familiar with this event, the Law Enforcement Torch Run is an annual run sponsored by the Special Olympics and law enforcement agencies around the country and in 35 other nations to support the athletes who compete in the Special Olympics. During the run a “Flame of Hope” is carried, much like during the work up to the actual Olympic Games.
According to the Special Olympics website, more than 85,000 law enforcement officers participated in the Torch Run in 2008 raising $34 million.
Training to Drill or Training for Real?, Part II
Posted by: | Comments(Ed. note: This is Part II to the original “Training to drill or training for real” article that was published back on March 29, 2010.)
The current firearms qualification course at my agency is divided into two phases, and I use it here just as an example of what an agency could do to add real life shooting drills into their firearms training program. There is one course dedicated to the basics. In that course of fire officers must show proficiency in withdrawing their sidearm, proper shooting platform, and shooting on target in specified times.
There are some combat and tactical reloads incorporated into the training and time restrictions ensure officers are “moving with a purpose”. Weapons malfunction drills are also performed to ensure proficiency and muscle memory. We shoot Glock Model 22, full size .40 cal. pistols and we do use the Glock qualification course in that phase to help determine an officer’s ability to use their sidearm. That’s the easy course, and you are not considered qualified on your sidearm by passing this course alone.
Cyclops Universal Flashlight Holder from Helios Systems Review
Posted by: | Comments(Ed. note: This review is a follow up to the Cyclops introduction posted last month by Aaron.)
Gary Grundy of Helios Systems was gracious enough to allow me to test and evaluate one of the Cyclops. For testing I used my Safariland duty rig and my tactical vest equipped with the Molle system. I selected five commonly used police flashlights: the Blackhawk 9-volt Falcata; the Streamlight Poly Stinger; the Surefire Z2; the Surefire 6Z; and the Blackhawk Gladius. All of these flashlights have a thumb activated on/off button for tactical use.
During the testing, I found the smaller Z2, 6Z and the Gladius are held more snugly by the Cyclops than the larger lights. However, the location of the front strap leaves only about 1.5 inches of the Z2 and 6Z, and about two inches of the Gladius, exposed at the top of the Cyclops to grab for withdrawal. With the “halo” headrest this made a secure grip even more difficult than open top style carriers. Withdrawing these two flashlights was not impossible but was awkward, as I was only able to get two fingers on the Z2 and not quite three fingers on the Gladius. I consider myself as having average-sized hands (usually a medium or large glove size) so someone with larger hands might have even more trouble with retrieving these two particular flashlights from the Cyclops.
Helios Systems Cyclops Universal Flashlight Holder
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Helios Systems developed and is now shipping the Cyclops universal flashlight holder. The Cyclops is a belt mounted device designed to hold and carry a wide variety of duty/tactical flashlights.
At the 2010 SHOT SHOW in Las Vegas I came across Gary Grundy at the Helios Systems booth. Grundy introduced me to the Cyclops Universal Flashlight Deployment product that Helios Systems has produced. The concept for the Cyclops is that a user can have different flashlights without having to worry about having a separate flashlight carrier to house the different flashlights.
Just looking at the Cyclops you can immediately notice its unique retention design and shape. The Cyclops looks like an orthodox cross or maybe even a Christmas angel. Attached to an oval-shaped base that houses the retention clips on the back side of the Cyclops, the rear frame is predominately a narrow vertical strip of self-lubricating nylon. But about 3/4 of the distance to the top of that narrow strip, the rear frame extends out in an open-arms shape about two inches from center line in both directions. This creates the rear strap. The head of the rear frame also flares out in a kind of halo-like appearance.
Training to Drill, or Training for Real?
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In today’s society the professional law enforcement officer must realize that performance in deadly force encounters will ultimately come down to muscle memory obtained from hours and hours of training. This doesn’t take away from our physical fitness requirements. In particular though, our weapons handling skills will most likely be the final determinant of our successful or failed attempts to stop an armed subject.
From drawing your firearm so many times that you literally don’t think about it, to shooting enough rounds to know your weapon intimately. From so many magazine reloads that a day without them is boring, to sight alignment drills that teach the shooter to be on target every time they raise their pistol. So far I know I’m preaching to the choir, so the point of this article goes to the next step on training and preparation for deadly force encounters.
When I started in law enforcement 13 years ago my agency’s standard pistol qualification course involved shooting at static, paper targets from a variety of distances. And let’s face it; most agencies were about the same. About the only significant movement we had was to put up our off hand to simulate blocking strikes at the 1 and 3 yard range, and maybe do a step and drag to create distance. At greater distances the only “stress” was getting your shots off in the prescribed amount of time.
Sniper or Marksman?
Posted by: | CommentsRecently I was reviewing some literature on the terminology used in law enforcement and its implications in court and in the public opinion. Being a Team Leader for the Cover Team of my agency I found particular interest in the terminology we use for the officers on our team who are trained in the use of precision rifles. So here’s the discussion topic – do we call our precision rifle officers “snipers” or “marksmen”.
At first it sounds like a simple play on words, no big deal, right? But a closer look at common dictionary definitions may reveal a strong argument for criminal defense lawyers and civil liability lawyers alike, should the particulars of a precision rifle shot be the focus of a court case.
