About LEO qualifying

[PeterJ]

I read a lot of threads about LEO's qualifying but never any about what they have to do to qualify. Is it a confidential thing ? I have asked a friend who's son is LEO what they have to do and he pleads that he has no idea. Can anyone comment ?

 

[ExRanger714]

First to introduce stress you are shooting against a stopwatch with a short interval.

Next is various strings of fire from different distances, adding in some reloads or magazine changes. Prone, kneeling and barricade positions are thrown in for variety.

Most if not all agencies have a no/low light qual too. This may imply that flashlight handling is part of the course.

And you shoot when scheduled, heat, snow, rain, etc. unless you are shooting indoors of course.

And read this Can You Pass the FBI Pistol Qualification? | Range365

Kid could probably ask the firearms trainers of that dept and get a copy of the particular course of fire.

And there are shotgun, rifle and sub-gun courses too.

 

[blues7]

Here's a link to various qualification standards that was posted up on another board I am active on.

You may find it of use.

 

[colt_saa]

Firearms qualification is specific to each department

Years ago, when we transitioned from the Beretta 92 to the Beretta 96D our Duty Firearm Qualification course changed from 42 rounds of fire to 33 rounds of fire to adjust for the new magazine capacity.

Off Duty Firearm Qualification course is 24 rounds of fire

Shot gun qualification is 5 rounds of fire.

Each of these has specific targets at specific distances with a time limit

The targets we use are are standard FBI Blue Smurfs (B27)

Each course of fire has a minimum qualifying score.

 

[andy52]

I own a private shooting range which I allow the local police to use for qualifying. I don't participate and generally just stay out of the way but from what I've seen just standard pistol qualifying is done from different distances just standing at the ready. It gets a little more intense when their doing a exit from a vehicle to engage a target with pistol and carbines. The only thing I have asked is please don't do it at high speed and mess up my range.....

 

[PeterJ]

Thank you,,, it appears that qualifying is certainly no cakewalk.

 

[CelticSire]

In Texas, it's department specific, but there is a state mandated minimum standard that the course must contain. Each department can design their own course as long as it meets the minimum standard. For example, my department requires kneeling, from behind a barricade, weak hand shooting, and distances out to 25 yards.

The minimum standards for the annual firearms proficiency course of fire shall be:

(1) B-27 or similar silhouette target;
(2) Combat scoring;
(3) A minimum of 50 rounds,
(4) Fired at ranges from point blank to at least 15 yards with a least 20 rounds at or beyond seven yards;
(5) Including at least one timed reload; and
(6) Minimum passing percentage of 70 (175 out of a possible 250 for 50 rounds).

 

[Old cop]

When I started in '68 most of what we did on the range, twice a year, was bull's eye stuff out to 50 yards. Things changed over time for the better and now LEOs qualify under tight time constraints at more realistic targets. The FBI qualification course is a good example of LEO qualifications. I still qualify annually for my LEOSA certification.

 

[SquarePizza]

Colt_saa, what was the off duty qualifications? I always read about tradition duty weapon quals, but little is mentioned about the courses designed for the off duty weapon (which I am guessing for most was a J-frame)

 

[Eric300]

You can take a look at this. It's MCOLES (Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards). Most, if not all LE departments (edit: in Michigan) follow these courses of fire. They are also implemented at the Police Academies.

https://www.michigan.gov/documents/mcoles/Firearms_Standard_249947_7.pdf

 

[lkabug]

I do what they tell me I need to do. Seems my old Dept changes things often.
In getting to old to keep getting up and down on the floor and such. May have to start carrying under a CCW state permit process. Getting old is tough.

 

[Muss Muggins]

I read a lot of threads about LOE's qualifying but never any about what they have to do to qualify. Is it a confidential thing ? I have asked a friend who's son is LEO what they have to do and he pleads that he has no idea. Can anyone comment ?

Every state and agency is different. . .

 

[Chazman1946]

Out here in Arizona I have to shoot the same exact qualification course as active duty officers, to maintain my LEOSA status, and it isn't easy.

The firearm qualification will consist of the standard AZPOST requirements (50 round course, ranges of 25, 15, 7 and 3 yards, minimum passing score is 210). The TQ 15, TQ 19 or TQ 21 targets may be used. All of these are timed fire, some requiring reloading and clearing malfunctions. The interesting part is at the 3 yard line, they have you do triple taps, two to the chest, one to the coconut.

 

[ken158]

In VA, the course must be approved by Dept of Criminal Justice Services and passed twice yearly for active duty and once yearly for retired / LEOSA certification. 25 yards to 3 yards with different round count, strong, weak and one handed thrown in.

 

[Muss Muggins]

You can take a look at this. It's MCOLES (Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards). Most, if not all LE departments follow these courses of fire. They are also implemented at the Police Academies.

Maybe in Michigan. Doesn't look like anything I've ever shot for qualification. As I said, every state and department is different . . .

 

[LPD256]

Every one is obviously different. The last one I shot was 60 rounds. 10 segments of six rounds each to accommodate those with revolvers. All were timed. Strong hand 6 rounds, weak hand 6 rounds, two hands with a reload for 12 rounds. Weaver stance, modified weaver, isosceles 6 rounds each. Squatting, kneeling, sitting 6 rounds each. Using an IDPA target. The middle circle scores 5 so max score is 300. Distances varied from 5 to 15 yards. 225 (75%) to pass. I shot a 93% with a .45ACP 1911. The instructor shot a 300. I rushed all my shots. Ayoob didn't.......

 

[usmc2427765]

The department that I retired from requires me to qualify on the "off duty" course which consists of 20 rounds from a distance of 2-12 yards. I normally qualify with what I carry, S&W 37 and there is no timed reloading required. Since I was the departments firearms instructor before I retired (2007) I feel that this is a reasonable course of fire.

 

[adwjc]

You can find the NJ requirements if you google "NJ Attorney General guidelines firearms qualification."

That will bring you a document that is about 50 pages long, the last ten or so list the qualifications for various firearms.

 

[Trooper224]

Thank you,,, it appears that qualifying is certainly no cakewalk.

You're mistaken. Most police qualification courses aren't that difficult. Anyone with even a basic skill set can pass them.

 

[Chazman1946]

You're mistaken. Most police qualification courses aren't that difficult. Anyone with even a basic skill set can pass them.

Really? Try passing the LEOSA course at 25 yards with 72 year old eyes!