->   >the officer.  Also, from my limited experience, it is a
->   >lot harder to use a firearm under stress then it would
->   >be to use a baton.
-> After awhile, that weapon becomes an extension of your arm.  The
-> firearm is not that difficult to handle.
RG> With daylight drills, night drills, shoot/don't shoot
RG> scenarios, thousands of practice rounds the ability to use
RG> the weapon becomes automatic.  Thats where the ability to
RG> know the level of force is necessary.
You must work for one of the few agencies who make
their officers train with their weapons.  Most don't
have the money to pay for it.  The cost of the weapons,
ammo, the training facilities, the trainers and the
lost of man hours is just too much for them.
The fact that the number of rounds fired by police has
increased and the percentage of hits has fallen tends
to show this.
I'd like to see a police force use something like the
military MILES gear to train with.  That way they could
used their duty weapons and real people.  Also they
would be able to be "shot".  If you've ever used it you
know the strange feeling when you realize that if this
had been real you would be dead.
                      Remember:  Freedom isn't Free!
--- timEd-B11
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