NCJ Number
129960
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 39 Issue: 5 Dated: (May 1991) Pages: 25-28
Date Published
1991
Length
4 pages
Annotation
The most frequent cause for civil actions against police officers is negligent use of firearms. While meeting their respective State's minimum requirements for firearms training once protected departments against most litigation, recent court decisions have stated that departments must improve their firearms training programs.
Abstract
The costs and time involved in training police firearms instructors are the most often cited reasons for departments choosing a specific course of fire, for limiting the amount of training time, and for training only to meet minimum standards. While budgets may have to expand to meet training requirements, training can be done frequently without being expensive. A complete program should include marksmanship development; weapons inspection; instruction in State laws, firearms safety, department policy, and weapon nomenclature; and extensive target shooting. The courses can be shot in segments, using only small amounts of ammunition. The instructor should keep records to limit liability risk, including descriptions of all combat courses, officer performance evaluations, and recommendations for program improvement. Records on the instructor's personal training credentials are also essential. Firearms training liability is best limited through frequent training and accurate documentation.