Police Qualifications

[Lochinvar]

I am sure that our local Constabulary (and others') have some sort of yearly handgun marksmanship proficiency test or certification that they must pass and I was curious if anyone knows what a typical "qualifying" regimen would entail.

I am sure the general populace (non-CHL) would wonder about the general hand-gun proficiency levels of CHL carrier v. your run-of-the mill LOE so I was wondering how rigorous the qualifying tests are for LOE's.

Anyone out there know?

[Texasdoc]

When I was in the academy we had range classes with street tactics classes for 6 weeks 3 hours per day and when I went to work for the Sheriff Dept. we qual. every 3 months as the sheriff required. we had to shoot 95% or better to keep working.

We had 2 course of fire

the main course was

3yds. 10rds strong hand ,10rds weak hand

7yds 10rds strong hand ,10 rds Weak hand

15yds 10rds. left barricade, 10rds. right barricade, 10rds under barricade

25yds 10rds strong hand.

Plus 10rds of Shotgun from 15yds and 25yds.

the second course was taken every 6months and it was a shoot don't shoot type of course .

when we qualified we had to do it with every gun we carried on duty plus all the off duty one's

Plus if we carried a AR15 or any other type of rifle we had to Quil. with it and it was from 25yds to 200 yds with a course of fire that included shooting from a barricade at B27 type targets.

[KBCraig]

TCLEOSE sets minimum standards, and each department or agency then designs its own course of fire and qualification standards.

Here's the minimum:
1. B-27 or similar silhouette target
2. Combat scoring
3. A minimum of 50 rounds, including at least 5 rounds of duty ammo
4. Fired at ranges from point blank to more than 15 yards, with at least 20 rounds fired at or beyond 7 yards
5. At least one timed reload
6. Minimum passing score of 70 percent (175 out of 250)

Except for the timed reload, it's not so different from the CHL course.

[srothstein]

Kevin,

There is no requriement on the target or type of scoring anymore.

Anyone who is curious as to the current TCLEOSE standards for firearms can see them in the Texas Administrative Code, by clicking here.

[KBCraig]

Kevin,

There is no requriement on the target or type of scoring anymore.

That's an interesting change. You still have to score 70% or better to pass, so... 70% of what, exactly?

[jmorris]

Kevin,

There is no requriement on the target or type of scoring anymore.

That's an interesting change. You still have to score 70% or better to pass, so... 70% of what, exactly?

He said there's no requirement on the TYPE of scoring. So they could use combat, CHL, 70% have to hit the blue, or whatever they want.

[Plato]

The short answer is no, its not much harder than the CHL requirements. There is more training given when going through the state mandated Peace Officer training than compared to actual firearms handling you get in a CHL course. But the actual qualification was about equal IMO. The Academy course of fire did go out to 25 yards, but trust me it ain't that hard.

As others have mentioned each department can train and qualify to higher standards for sure. But an average Joe can spend his own money and go to numerous firearms training courses and get what I consider equal or better training than what is offered in the state mandated minimum training requirements.

Having been through quite a bit of training on my own dime before entering the East TX Police Academy I can only say I was somewhat amazed at some basic things that were never even mentioned in our "Firearms Week" of training.

[asleepatthereel]

I worked for TDC for 14 years and quit in 2000. We had to qualify yearly with a SW model 65 basically shooting the same regiment that we shoot for the CHL. In addition, we had to have 'familiarity' training on the AR-15 and Rem 870. Shortly after I started work there, they quit taking scores every year because an officer shot and killed an escaping convict off the top of a fence. Of course it was justified, but in civil court the state had to pay the convicts family because the rules said we were not supposed to use DEADLY force to kill, only to stop the escape, or whatever else you were using DEADLY force for. The officer in question had previously qualified with perfect scores on several occasions. As this was part of your permanent record of training, it was used against the officer, who the other side made out to be some kind of A-Team/Special Forces/SWAT sniper/gun nut, who could light a match with a bullet at 1000 meters. The states attorneys were a real pitiful bunch just out of law school and didnt stand a chance.

Got a lawyer yet? If you ever have to use your plastic, your gonna need one. I found one before I even took the class.

Sorry I got off topic. I really hated that job.

[nuparadigm]

Border Patrol Agents qualify every three months (at least that's the way it was before I retired). The course of fire was the PPC course with B27's. The COF has changed a couple of times since the PPC model was used.

[jbirds1210]

I worked for TDC for 14 years

Sorry I got off topic. I really hated that job.

I hear ya Brother...I hear ya.

Jason

[CHL/LEO]

Here's the one for Dallas PD.

Shot with duty ammo once a year with a minimum passing score for both your primary and secondary Weapons of 80%:

On a “hot range,� after the initial command to load is given it is the officer’s responsibility to keep their weapon loaded. Ensure that your weapon is loaded prior to holstering at the end of each stage of fire. You may not unholster to load your weapon. There are no alibis. The qualification course is a series of five stages that test basic marksmanship skills. Officers will not receive credit for rounds improperly fired. Rounds cannot be made up. All shots will be fired on the DPD Model TQ15 paper target.

#1 / Drill - from the Holster
Distance - 25 Yard line
5 Rounds -1 target turn
Time/Turn - 15 seconds
1. Shooter is positioned to the rear of the barricade at the 25-yard line. Shooters may use either side of the barricade and may use the barricade for support. When the targets face, the shooter draws from a snapped holster and fires 5 rounds at their target. When the target edges, the shooter must fix their weapon the way they want it and holster.

#2 / Drill - Holster
Distance -15 Yard Line
5 Rounds - 1 target turn
Time/Turn - 10 Seconds
2. Shooter is positioned at the front edge of the sidewalk at the 15-yard line. When the targets face, the shooter will draw from a snapped holster and fire 5 rounds into their target. When the target edges, the shooter must fix their weapon the way they want it and holster.

#3 / Drill - Challenge
Distance - 7 Yard Line
15 Rounds - 3 target turns
Time/Turn - 8 seconds
3. Shooter is positioned at the front edge of the sidewalk at the 7-yard line. When the targets face, the shooter will draw from a snapped holster and fire 5 rounds into their target. When the targets edge the shooter will fix their weapon the way they want it and remain at scan. Repeat two more times. Once complete the shooter will fix their weapon the way they want it and holster.

#4 / Drill - One-Handed
Distance - 3 Yard Line
10 Rounds - 2 target turns
Time/Turn - 8 seconds
4. Shooter is positioned at the 3-yard line. When the targets face, the shooter will draw from a snapped holster and fire 5 rounds into their target using their strong hand only. When the targets edge, shooter must decock strong hand only. The shooter will fix their weapon the way they want it then transfer their weapon to the off-hand. The shooter will assume an off-hand only scan position. When the targets face the shooter will 5 rounds into their target using the off hand only. When the targets edge, the shooter will decock using the off-hand only then transfer the weapon to the strong hand. The shooter will fix the weapon the way they want it and holster.

#5 / Drill - Time Reload
Distance - 7 Yard Line
15 Rounds - 1 target turn
Time/Turn - 25 seconds
5. Semi-Automatic: Load 4 rounds in a magazine and place that magazine in your weapon (4+1 in chamber makes 5). Load the other two magazines with 5 rounds each and place them in closed magazine pouches. Revolver: The weapon is loaded with six rounds. Load your two speed-loaders with six rounds each and place them in a closed carrier.
Shooter is positioned at the 7-yard line. When the targets face, the shooter draws from a snapped holster and fires 5 rounds at their target, completes a combat load and fires 5 rounds at their target, completes a combat load and fires 5 rounds at their target. Saved rounds cannot be fired during this stage or any other stage.

Upon completion the tower officer will instruct the shooters to visually and physically check their weapons for empty, lock the slide back on semi-automatics and holster an empty weapon with no magazine in the weapon.

[Greybeard]

I just today learned something new myself. A retired LEO from New York state called looking for CHL instructor to give 50 round test and sign off on TCLOSE form (which appears to have been revised in December 2007) for him to be able to continue to be able to carry under the federal law passed a few years ago. I told him about the forum and he'll hopfully join us here. The forms he sent me to check out are under "Retired Federal and Out of State Officers" at http://www.tcleose.state.tx.us/FormsApps/forms&apps.htm

[RHZig]

I passed my TCLEOSE qualifications.Two top shooters in the class.

Sorry to brag.

[asleepatthereel]

No need to appologize. Good shootin'. Congratulations on the TECLEOSE