range questions...

[makakona]

how many hours are spent on the range while at the academy? on gun "education" in general? what are the requirements once you're in officer, in terms of range time and requalifying?

[TheForceCHP]

how many hours are spent on the range while at the academy? on gun "education" in general? what are the requirements once you're in officer, in terms of range time and requalifying?

Good questions! If I can add to these questions. What are all of the shooting "positions" that you must qualify in? I have been shooting with an FBI firearms instructor, actually going again today, and was looking to find out what would be the requirements so I can make sure that I am practicing all of them.

[dw]

I don't remember the number of hours in range -- I'm sure I have it around here somewhere, but someone else probably has it handy. As for requirements, there are qualification courses for the pistol, shotgun, and AR-15. As officers, we usually shoot at the range (whatever local range the Area contracts with) once a month.

TheForceCHP: Don't worry too much about the specific qualification courses. The Academy Weapons staff will teach you everything you need to know. In fact, I think it is better to come in with less knowledge than more. Much like the motorcycle program, they will want you to shoot "our" way, which may be different than you are learning. "Our" way is based on the combat shootings we most encounter. If you learn another way, you may have difficulty breaking the habits. Part of training is for the reactions to become instinctual and once formed, can be difficult to reverse.

[yo buddy]

Firearms training usually starts halfway through the Academy and lasts until the last few weeks. 80+ hours. Shooting style is what is commonly called "reactive" shooting. Training occurs regardless of weather or lighting conditions..... kind of like the real world.

[G-Man]

93 hours of firearms training at the academy as a cadet. as an officer you have range days once a month.

[not5150]

"In fact, I think it is better to come in with less knowledge than more."

I agree with this 100%. People with bad habits (usually from watching Steven Seagal movies) have a tough time unlearning those habits. It's VERY difficult to erase muscle memory.

Also, I've seen women learn much quicker and shoot more accurately at the academies I've attended (not CHP). Something about women actually listening to the instructor versus some men who think, "he's teaching me BS, my uncle Jethro taught me better."

[TheForceCHP]

Thanks for the advice.

Just for the record, as stated above, the guys who is taking me is an FBI firearms instructor so he knows how to shoot. We are working on grip and techniques to make sure my shots are straight, luckily it turns out I naturally am a pretty good shot.

[makakona]

thanks for the info, everyone.

theforce, as mentioned, it's REACTIVE shooting. you don't need to be a good shot to be a cop... you're not looking to wing people. having fired weapons for 20 years now, i'm with the group that says to just wait two months... better to not have to undo anything.

[TheForceCHP]

I just saw the 7min. CTC IV05 video and I understand the reactionary stuff a lot more(I already knew what you where talking about, nice seeing it on video). The part with when the cadet shoots the pregnant lady target really says a lot.

[mremmaye]

TheForceCHP how did you get to watch the CTC-IV 05 video? I would like to watch that video as well. Just to see what I'm really getting myself into :biggrin:

[Dipmo]

TheForceCHP how did you get to watch the CTC-IV 05 video? I would like to watch that video as well. Just to see what I'm really getting myself into :biggrin:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aa4IyiBkuR0&search=chp

[mremmaye]

Great video! Thanks Dipmo.

[pupdog]

It said somthing about being filmed by the cadets???? Well, the copy of SOP that I was given kinda doesn't like having such equipment around!

Iscosoles (I have NO IDEA how to spell that) is the shooting my BI mentioned. If you dn't know what that means, watch "The Wizard of Oz."

[TheForceCHP]

TheForceCHP how did you get to watch the CTC-IV 05 video? I would like to watch that video as well. Just to see what I'm really getting myself into :biggrin:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aa4IyiBkuR0&search=chp

Thanks Dipmo, I was trying to post it up when the site got all slow again and then I had to leave for work :mad:

[G-Man]

i was in IV-05. you had to get cameras approved by the staff office, and then ask permission before filming each class.