Hello, I still new here and hardly post, but feel I need to share some of my experiences. My background is 19 years in LE, with most of it being assigned full time to a plain clothes specialized unit. For the past 5 years, one of my additional duties is instructing our monthly range training. Our unit has the advantage of having a separate budget and funding so we can actually train more often than the once or twice a year range practice that's too common in Law Enforcement. I usually visit the range once or twice a week and for several years have been using drills and ideas off of this forum to train myself and other Detectives. I'm probably one of the top shooters in my agency, but still feel I'm missing something by shooting in a low stress environment (shooting alone or with a small group of cops).
I decided to try some local matches to get additional trigger time and add in good old fashioned stress in the mix. Over the past 30 days, I have shot 6 matches, 3-USPSA and 3-IDPA. I love it. Maybe my opinions will change down the road, but I see no downsides for an LEO to shoot pistol matches. This is something that myself and so many others should have been doing a long time ago. I see no issues with tactics. There's another time and place for that.
Sure my ego took a hit and thankfully I prepared for it and knew what to expect after doing some reading on here. That makes me only want to get better. I love the part about me shooting against an overweight guy that looks like a hot mess, but he shoots like a stud. And you know what, I have no problem asking him before a stage how he's going to run it or in what particular order. Everyone I have encountered at matches has been overly friendly and more than willing to share ideas and help.
I guess this is pointed towards other LE or non LE that are hesitant about going to a match. Just try it. Sign up and don't let yourself back out.