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The Strike Report - June
2006
Quote of the month:
"The will to survive is not as important as the will to
prevail.."
Jeff Cooper
REPORT:
Tactical Low Light -
Immediate Threat Response Techniques
One of the areas we constantly drift back to and focus on is tactical reduced
light situations. National statistics confirm that the vast majority of law
enforcement force encounters occur in the hours of darkness. Therefore the
attention we give to this area is not only important but necessary in order that
officers are able to acquire proficiency with their tactical low light fighting
skills.
A Little History:
The techniques we will be discussing and demonstrating have been around for a
while but I don't think they have been fully appreciated. The Dallas Police
Department has been teaching them for years and has incorporated them into their
tactical low light qualification course. I know other agencies and training
companies probably utilize them as well but I am uncertain as to what degree and
how much emphasis they put into it. If they haven't, they should.
We conducted a range test several years ago in low light conditions and at CQB
distances. Officers were told that when the target or targets presented
themselves they were to come from the holster, assume the flashlight technique
of their choice and engage the target with two shots. We started slow at first
and most of the officers went into a Harries technique or a Chapman which both
are based upon the "Combined Use" concept. As the target presentations got
faster these techniques began to degrade until some were not even recognizable.
The reason? Most wound up shooting in a one handed position with the
flashlight held in all sorts of ways. We knew we could fight and train better.
The Immediate Threat Response (ITR) techniques - are techniques that can be
quickly assumed from starting positions where officers normally carry their
flashlights and the weapon is still holstered. In truth, the vast majority of
time that officers respond to calls in low light conditions (depending on the
information received) it is with the flashlight in their off-hand and their
weapon in the holster. The ITR techniques are based upon the concept of
"Separate Use" - or one-handed shooting. Physical focus and trigger control are
critical in making these techniques work effectively. It is recommended that the
ITR techniques be utilized for CQB fighting only.
These positions are extremely fast to assume and are highly accurate at these
distances. The techniques demonstrated in the pictures below are great for
intense, high stress situations where a threat suddenly explodes in front of
them and immediate action is required. Keep the technique simple; start
each drill from a natural position where officers normally carry their
flashlights. The techniques are very versatile and officers should
experiment with them to see which one works best for them. I highly recommend to
firearm instructors that they experiment with these techniques. If they
find them useful, incorporate them into their training or make it part of their
night qualification course. Remember, these are tactical low light techniques
that will help officers survive not die!
Common Carry Positions:
Flashlight slightly forward and by side
Flashlight over shoulder by head
Immediate Threat Response
Techniques:
Side Index / ITR - 1
Neck Index / ITR - 2
Center Chest Index / ITR - 3
With all the ITR techniques, physical focus is a must with the body balanced
out. Coming from the holster the weapon is extended to the sights position while
the flashlight in the off-hand is locked in tight to the side, neck, or center
of chest. At CQB distances under immediate threat conditions, the sights won't
have time to stabilize so all you have to do is acquire a quick flash sight and
then exercise good trigger control.
Shot placement is critical to win a CQB fight in the dark, one-handed and
operating a flashlight. Stressors mount quickly for an officer. The first shot
may be the only decent opportunity you have to make. You want to put as much
hurt on your assailant as you can and where it will cause the most damage. This
is the reason we have emphasized trigger control so much. You may have the
sights where they need to go but if you jerk or slap that trigger at the last
minute there is no telling where the bullet will actually impact. Remember, "If
you aren't hitting, you aren't winning." So make sure you are hitting well.
Jack C. Perritt
George F. Wiley
Strike International, Inc.
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