Articles - Weapons

For many investigators their handgun is their primary weapon. Consequently, it must be the most effective tool they can have. Here are some thoughts on the selection process of both the handgun and the ever-important holster it's carried in.

The lust forautomatic weapons is now almost universal within police departments throughout the country.

Increased urbanization has created new conflicts with shooting ranges used by law enforcement agencies, defense installations, as well as civilian gun clubs across the United States and Canada.

The point shooting vs. aimed shooting controversy will probably go on forever.  Wait a minute-are you kidding?  There should be absolutely no controversy surrounding whether or not point shooting is more effective than aimed shooting.

Every year officers are disarmed and murdered with their own weapons.  It only makes sense to always carry while off duty and to always carry a back-up weapon while on duty.

In the early morning hours of Oct. 14, 1998 a call was received at Placer Co. Sheriff's dispatch regarding a report of a suspect armed with a knife and standing in the street behind a four-plex apartment in a high-density population area.  The situation would be quickly ended without the loss of life, but it could easily have been otherwise.

Personal investigation indicates that only about 25 percent of officers practice on their own time.  Supervisors, concerned by a low hit rate in critical incidents, may push for better handguns and advanced training.  But officers are responsible for their own safety and should practice on their own.

Many police hierarchies operate under the erroneous assumption that their organizations don't need sniper units.

One of the most important benefits of a laser sight is the intimidation of deterrence that it can provide. Several studies that were conducted by law enforcement agencies have shown that the use of a laser sight will often de-escalate potential deadly force encounters.

A.L.E.C.A. is an organiza­tion of law enforcement K -9 handlers and trainers, based in Arizona, that has set voluntary performance standards for K-9 teams and sponsors K-9 trainings and tri­als all over the state.