It's coming our way!

11 July 09 The current state of police training, from a friend who trains at state level: "I just finished teaching our Firearms Instructor Update to a number of small departments. We update/audit/QC state-certified instructors. These are troops responsible for maintaining qualifications and training within their own departments. I can't tell you how many times I heard, 'Well, our department gives us neither time nor ammunition to train, so we only do the minimum (which is the same as nothing).' I reminded them all that, if they are waiting for someone to give them something they need, and then use that as an excuse not to train, they are failing their profession and the officers who depend on them. Some costs are just going to be 'out of pocket.' We instructors are the ones that have a license to correct bad tactics/habits, no matter how much brass, or how many stripes, are on the sleeve. Too many see themselves are merely 'qual-callers.' We run a stress-course. Nobody wants to be the first, and, when poor performance rears its ugly hear, oh the wretched excuses we hear! The good thing out is that most walk away, acknowledging that they need to train more, inspire more, and dither less!" Comment: Competent training cannot come too soon to our troopers! We only have to look south to see what is coming our way, ready or not! Don't wait. Train competently. Train hard. Train now. Your life depends on it! /John