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Zen and the Shoot House

NCJ Number
179791
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 47 Issue: 9 Dated: September 1999 Pages: 34-39
Author(s)
Jim Weiss; Mary Dresser
Date Published
September 1999
Length
6 pages
Annotation
Stress training in the Pinellas County, Florida, Sheriff's Office has taught deputies operational Zen, and how to forget the details and remember the meaning of survival.
Abstract
The training recognizes that police officers face increased violence on the street and that proper training is required to help them remain conscious of the environment. The training emphasizes instinct, cover and concealment, and overload on the bad guys. It is Zen-like because it leads to an understanding of reality, shows how to overcome pain, teaches how to view from all sides, and sets standards of allusiveness and restraint. Basic tactical techniques applied by deputy students going through shoot house training scenarios are identified that focus on keeping the finger off the trigger, pointing the firearm, flagging the firearm, cover and concealment, recognizing fatal funnels such as doorways and hallways, silhouetting, limited penetration, door entry methods, identifying areas of responsibility, and assuming a position of cover. Three training scenarios are described that apply the principles of Zen-like techniques. 2 photographs