I'm going through the citizens academy put on by my local PD. If you've not had the experience, I recommend it. The course here covers everything from SWAT to Financial Crime to Traffic Stops, to Chaplain service, SRO's and PD Administration. From the PD side, the goal (broadly) seems to be to impart a more detailed understanding and appreciation for what goes in to police work to the citizens that are paying the bill. From my side, I find it all enlightening.
This week the class took place in the shoot house, using simunitions (fx marking cartridges). It was just a few hours of teach/practice, and nobody was shooting back at us (paper targets), but I learned quite a bit. Most of the takeaways were about how I would (or wouldn't) move through my house if an intruder was suspected/present. Mostly, how I haven't given that plan nearly enough consideration. Would my wife be a willing participant (if she was home and not away on business), or would I be on my own? What spaces in my house would be difficult to clear? What you give up in terms of previously cleared space when you lose sight of that space? Lots of personal homework to do.
Also gained a greater appreciation for the risks involved. One scenario involved two people working to clear a house. In the middle of the house was a space that, in the span of about 180 degrees, had doorways to 3 other spaces. Similar to a landing (not a hallway) leading to 3 bedrooms.
I don't do much practice moving and shooting.... I should. I felt ok (could be better, could be worse) getting on target and putting good shots downrange, the hard part was in making the decision to shoot. Even a paper target of a kid being held with a gun to his head gives pause. Mistakes can be grave.
Our locals use Sul, something I've never practiced. I believe I shot the course without pointing my weapon at anyone (partners, LEO instructors) other than the BG's, but came away with a clear feeling that I was wasting a lot of time moving from ready to low ready to pointing at the ground and back...
Overall time well spent... Will be adding things to my planning and practice.
To the folks that do this stuff on the job, THANKS!
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Originally Posted by Lon
