budget cuts and police training with handguns

[J.R.@A&M]

The article cites the incidents in NYC, and is admittedly short on statistics. The author spins it as a public spending issue, which is why I posted it here.

http://prospect.org/article/why-are-pol ... cents-rise

[howdy]

All we really need to do is hire cops who can shoot like Wild Bill Hickock, type 100 words per minute, make life and death decisions as quickly as Joe Montana, understand people as well as Sigmund Freud, understand the law like a supreme court justice, and work cheap.

Don't forget: Drive like Dale Earnhardt Jr, look like Tom Cruise/Natalie Portman, run like Usain Bolt...

Any more?

[texanjoker]

That was actually a good article, for the most part with some good info. With the ammo shortage for a while it was tough for those of us that practice on our own due to no budget for it at work. The lack of budget is no excuse IMO. Departments need to pay for the training just like any other profession pays for the training to keep ones skills proficient. Too often there is the mentality that it won't happen.

We all read the monday night quarterbacking when a LEO misses a shot and this quote (actually 2 pieces from the article) are very accurate. People can be the best shot at the range or shooting type events, but when it hits the fan in real life, they find what they can really do.

Gun battles and shoot-don’t-shoot decisions can be appallingly hard for even experienced cops to handle well. Low light, suspects in motion, and combat stress all affect accuracy and judgment.

In those adrenaline-filled encounters, good training more often than not makes the difference. Practicing realistic simulations of live fire allows cops to make better decisions and hit what they’re shooting at

To add to the list above of job qualifications they need to lack the sense of smell due to some of the 'homes' they go into.

[MoJo]

All we really need to do is hire cops who can shoot like Wild Bill Hickock, type 100 words per minute, make life and death decisions as quickly as Joe Montana, understand people as well as Sigmund Freud, understand the law like a supreme court justice, and work cheap.

Don't forget: Drive like Dale Earnhardt Jr, look like Tom Cruise/Natalie Portman, run like Usain Bolt...

Any more?

Have the hand to hand skills of Chuck Norris and the compassion of Mother Theresa.

[J.R.@A&M]

All we really need to do is hire cops who can shoot like Wild Bill Hickock, type 100 words per minute, make life and death decisions as quickly as Joe Montana, understand people as well as Sigmund Freud, understand the law like a supreme court justice, and work cheap.

Hmmnn... The Hickock analogy actually highlights the problem. I'm thinking of the incident when Hickock accidentally shot one of his colleagues who was running up to help in an incident. Of course, George is still correct that Hickock shot well -- he just mis-identified his target.

[texanjoker]

..looks good in a stache and mirrored shades.

[Abraham]

...and be able to authoritatively declare: BOY, YOU IN A HEAP A TROUBLE!

[jmra]

Might as well add the cape and a big S on the chest.

[texanjoker]

...and be able to authoritatively declare: BOY, YOU IN A HEAP A TROUBLE!

[texanjoker]

Guys, I have been around a lot of law enforcement, and even those who retired with 30+ years experience, most have never had to use their weapons.

The earlier comment was tongue-in-cheek, but possibly there are other skils that are more important than firearms training to LEOs?

Just askin'

comments?

Common sense is close to being #1 and you can't teach it. The % is very low for an LEO actually being in a OIS. I refer to actual as being a LEO that physically fires their weapon at a suspect.