|
         
| |
The Strike Report - March 2006
Quote of the month:
“When you appeal to force, there is one thing you must never do….lose!”
General Dwight D. Eisenhower
Report:
One aspect of firearms training that officers never seem to get enough of is
Tactical Low Light. It is something that I have never understood as a firearms
instructor especially since statistics clearly indicate that nearly 70 percent
of all police shootings occur in reduced light situations. Shooting a low light
qualification course once a year is not considered training. Look at Popow vs.
City of Margate, 476 F Supp. 1237 (D.N.J. – 1979).
When real situations occur under low light conditions at CQB distances and you
throw in equipment or weapon malfunction issues on top of it, the stress
overload for any officer can be enormous. Unless these things are drilled and
practiced, expect poor performance from an officer. They just won’t have the
training or mental tools to deal with it. A worse case scenario is that the
officer experiences stressed induced paralysis and does nothing and thereby
becomes the victim. To any agency or firearms instructor that should be
unacceptable! We want our people to survive not die! Give them the training they
need.
As for SWAT or other Special Operations Groups who carry a lot of specialized
equipment plus long guns and pistols, they should include training of this type
on a regular basis for their personnel. Remember to keep your techniques and
tactics simple and workable. As I like to term it, your people should be able to
work through it with a proficient confidence. If they do, then the mission
should be successful and they should survive!
Tactical Tip:
For patrol rifle, SWAT or Special Operations Groups – should you experience a
failure of your main gun light system and need illumination, here are two quick
and easy techniques that can be applied. They work well with most tactical
weapons: AR-15/ M4 / M16 / MP5
A backup tactical flashlight with a rear end ignition system should be carried
and positioned on your duty belt where it can be easily accessible.
Technique One:
The Harries Version – flashlight parallel -
Isometric support against hand guards. It
offers strong stable support. Position can
be quickly assumed.
Technique Two:
DPD Mag. Well Index – flashlight’s rear
ignition cap pulled back against magazine
well when needing light. Released when
not needed. Very strong support and good
shooting technique. Position can be quickly
assumed.
Jack C. Perritt
George F. Wiley
Strike International, Inc.
| |
|
