Firearms Training

Firearms Training

During the 22 week Academy, each Cadet will spend approximately 100 hours developing proper firearms skills. The primary objective during the training is to give each student the skills needed to defend themselves and others in a deadly force confrontation.

Course requirements to successfully complete the Firearms Program are:

• 100% attendance
• Written test, minimum score of 80%
• P.O.S.T. Tactical Handgun Qualification Course, Per P.O.S.T Guidelines
• CSP Handgun Qualification Course, minimum score 70%
• Practical Weapon Manipulation Test, Pass / Fail
• CSP Shotgun Qualification Course, minimum 70%
• Decision shooting practical

Each CSP Cadet will be issued a Smith & Wesson M&P .40 caliber duty handgun and a patrol shotgun. The majority of the handgun training is completed at the CSP Academy indoor firearms range.  The range is equipped with the Caswell Rangemaster 9000 turning target system, which allows the targets to move from 0 to 75 feet, 360 degree target rotation, and can accommodate up to ten shooters at a time.  Shotgun training is conducted both at our indoor range and an outdoor range, which allows for long-range training with the rifled slug.

Cadets will also complete several reality based force-on-force scenarios using a 9mm paint ball round that fires out of a converted duty handgun. The student will challenge role players also armed with 9mm paint ball rounds through a converted weapon. These drills include:

• Building Search Scenarios
• Tactical Roadblock Scenarios
• Close Range Shot Avoidance Drills

Topics covered in the Basic Firearms Program are as follows:

• Firearms Safety
• Weapon maintenance
• Proper care and cleaning of firearms
• Use of deadly force considerations
• Equipment selection
• Proper shooting fundamentals
• Weapon management
• Clearing weapons malfunctions
• Shooting while moving
• Proper use of cover and concealment
• Incapacitation drills (manipulating the weapon with one hand)
• Dim light shooting
• Tactical scenarios
• Proper weapons deployment during building searches and tactical roadblocks
• Shot avoidance drills
• Vehicle assault drills
• Decision shooting scenarios
• Edged weapon defense drills
• Proper use of the patrol shotgun
• Off Duty Carry