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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTACTICAL RIFLEALBANY POLICE DEPARTMENT FIREARMS/BASIC RIFLE/CARBINE OPERATOR CCN: 5870-32075 | POST CERTIFICATION II | REIMBURSEMENT PLAN NA | 16 HOURS Revised 07/17/2025 1 COURSE TITLE: FIREARMS/TACTICAL RIFLE Includes all shoulder-fired weapons that are not a shotgun. COURSE NUMBER: 5870-32075 COURSE HOURS: 16 COURSE GOAL: To provide students with the information and hands-on experience needed to effectively use a Rifle. PURPOSE: The purpose of this training is to provide the students with the information and hands on experience needed to effectively use a rifle. AUDIENCE: Sworn Peace Officers, including Level I and Level II Reserve Officers who are being introduced to a rifle and will qualify and carry it on duty in the scope of their employment. NOTE: Successful completion of this course satisfies the legislative training mandate to possess short barrel rifles as specified in Penal Code section 33220(b) and the Commission training requirement to possess long barrel rifles as specified in Commission Regulation 1081. COURSE OBJECTIVES Under the supervision of a qualified instructor, and using an approved law enforcement rifle, each student will: I. Demonstrate their understanding of the Four Basic Safety Rules for handling firearms. II. Demonstrate the ability to field strip the weapon and to properly clean and maintain it. III. Be provided with and demonstrate understanding of the agency policy regarding the use of firearms. IV. Demonstrate the ability to properly load, unload, and fire the weapon and to clear malfunctions that might occur with the weapon. ALBANY POLICE DEPARTMENT FIREARMS/BASIC RIFLE/CARBINE OPERATOR CCN: 5870-32075 | POST CERTIFICATION II | REIMBURSEMENT PLAN NA | 16 HOURS Revised 07/17/2025 2 V. Demonstrate the ability to apply the fundamentals for rifle marksmanship to fire accurately from the prone, kneeling, sitting and standing positions. VI. Demonstrate proficiency with the weapon and obtain agency qualification. REQUIRED CONTENT Commission Regulation 1081 (1) Law Update (2) Review of Use of Force Issues, Agency Policies, and Mission (3) Safety Issues (4) Nomenclature, Specifications, and Capabilities (5) Firearm Care, Breakdown, and Cleaning (6) Tactical Considerations (7) Skill Development and Qualification EXPANDED COURSE OUTLINE I. Introduction and Orientation II. Laws and Agency Policy A. Penal Code section 32610(b) 1. Possession of Within Scope of Employment B. Penal Code section 33220(b) 1. Training requirement C. Agency Firearms Use and Use of Force Policies 1. Use of Force options 2. Department Policy 3. Penal Code 835a 4. Penal Code 196 D. Mission ALBANY POLICE DEPARTMENT FIREARMS/BASIC RIFLE/CARBINE OPERATOR CCN: 5870-32075 | POST CERTIFICATION II | REIMBURSEMENT PLAN NA | 16 HOURS Revised 07/17/2025 3 1. Department Mission Statement 2. Firearms/Tactical Rifle Course Mission a. Successfully train officers to utilize the patrol rifle as a valuable tool that holds the promise for officers to be able to quickly and efficiently address threats during a critical incident. E. Case Law 1. Tennessee vs. Garner 2. Graham vs. Connor 3. Quezada vs. Bernalillo 4. Lundgren vs. McDaniel F. SB 230 De-escalation Techniques 1. Use of De-escalation 2. Alternatives to Force 3. Guidelines for application of force 4. Review of Use of Force incidents G. AB 392 Use of Force (Necessary) 1. Deadly force must be necessary 2. Fleeing Felon 3. Officer reasonably believes force is necessary III. Safety and Range Rules A. The Four Basic Safety Rules include 1. Treat all guns as if they are loaded. 2. Never point the muzzle at anything you are not willing to destroy. 3. Master Grip - Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on the target and you make the conscious decision to use lethal force. 4. Always be sure of your target and beyond. B. Range Rules 1. Wrap around eye protection, ear protection and helmets or hats are required at all times. 2. Never raise the muzzle of your weapon above parallel to the deck. 3. Do not bend at the waist to pick up items off of the ground. Instead keep your weapon pointed down range, parallel to the ground and squat or kneel down, while watching the target environment as much as possible as you retrieve the item. ALBANY POLICE DEPARTMENT FIREARMS/BASIC RIFLE/CARBINE OPERATOR CCN: 5870-32075 | POST CERTIFICATION II | REIMBURSEMENT PLAN NA | 16 HOURS Revised 07/17/2025 4 4. After weapons have been grounded, and the line has been called safe by an instructor do not touch the weapon until all students are back from their targets, and the instructor has given the okay. 5. If a problem arises on the line, raise your non-gun-hand to summon an instructor. 6. Each student will be provided with a copy of safety rules. Students will sign and return rules to an instructor. 7. Students shall be asked to identify any injuries or pre-existing medical restrictions that may affect their ability to safely participate in training. 8. Students shall be directed to report any injuries sustained during training to a member of the instructional staff 9. Students shall be instructed to wash hands, face, and clothing thoroughly after shooting to remove any debris deposited as a result of the weapon’s discharge 10. A first aid/trauma kit shall be readily accessible at all times during this course. 11. Non-participating students shall remain in a designated safe zone and monitored by an approved instructor to ensure proper procedures are being followed. C. Range Commands 1. The command to fire will be the word “threat. 2. “Load and ready” 3. Course of fire (i.e., the number of rounds and target) 4. “Standby” 5. For firing on the move: “Ready to go, standby, move, threat) 6. “Cease Fire” will be used to immediately stop training and may be called out by an instructor or a student when a safety issue needs to be addressed. a. Upon hearing the “Cease fire” command, students will immediately stop any movement, repeat the command in a loud, clear voice, make their patrol rifles safe and/or holster handguns, and await further instructions. IV. Nomenclature, Specifications and Capabilities A. Nomenclature 1. Front and Rear Sights 2. Bolt Catch 3. Magazine Release 4. Safety/Selector 5. Magazine ALBANY POLICE DEPARTMENT FIREARMS/BASIC RIFLE/CARBINE OPERATOR CCN: 5870-32075 | POST CERTIFICATION II | REIMBURSEMENT PLAN NA | 16 HOURS Revised 07/17/2025 5 6. Sling and Sling Attachments 7. Suppressor (if applicable) B. Specifications 1. Type of Weapon 2. Barrel Length 3. Overall Length 4. Caliber 5. Magazine Capacity 6. Weight (empty) 7. Type of Sights 8. Approximate Muzzle Velocity C. Capabilities 1. Maximum Range 2. Maximum Effective Range 3. Penetration of Soft Body Armor 4. Full/Semi-Automatic V. Firearm Care, Disassembly/Assembly, and Maintenance A. Refer to the manufacturer’s care and operation manual. 1. Students will be shown proper disassembly and assembly, along with proper cleaning and maintenance practices VI. Basic Shooting Skills A. Stance/Position – Explanation and Demonstration of Each Stance and Position 1. Standing 2. Kneeling (high kneeling and low kneeling) 3. Sitting 4. Prone 5. Ready Position B. Sight Alignment/Picture 1. Sight alignment with different types of sights. 2. Top of front sight post centered in the rear sight. 3. 100 percent focus is on the top edge of the front sight post. The rear sight and target are blurred. 4. Instructor will illustrate proper sight alignment. ALBANY POLICE DEPARTMENT FIREARMS/BASIC RIFLE/CARBINE OPERATOR CCN: 5870-32075 | POST CERTIFICATION II | REIMBURSEMENT PLAN NA | 16 HOURS Revised 07/17/2025 6 C. Sight Picture 1. Defined as the relationship of sight alignment to the target. D. Trigger Control 1. Emphasize that this is the single most important element. 2. Shooter must apply gradual pressure on the trigger for a surprise trigger break so as to not disturb sight alignment when the shot is made. E. Grip/Stock Cheek Weld 1. Functionality of collapsible stock. 2. Master grip F. Breathing 1. Breath must be held at the moment the shot is made. 2. Breathing while firing will cause vertical stringing of shots. 3. Holding breath too long will cause vision to blur and muscles to tremble, so the shot must be made before this happens. G. Follow Through 1. Maintain all the elements throughout the shot. VII. Clearing Malfunctions and Stoppages – Explanation and Demonstration A. In close quarter confrontations, consider immediate transition to the handgun B. Failure to fire 1. “Tap, Rack, Assess” a. Seat magazine by hitting it with heel of hand b. Pull bolt to rear and release (chamber a round) c. Obtain sight picture d. Assess if follow-up shots are necessary 2. Stove pipe a. Tilt rifle so that ejection port faces the ground b. Pull bolt to rear and release c. Obtain sight picture d. Assess if follow-up shots are necessary 3. Feed way stoppages a. Lock the bolt to the rear ALBANY POLICE DEPARTMENT FIREARMS/BASIC RIFLE/CARBINE OPERATOR CCN: 5870-32075 | POST CERTIFICATION II | REIMBURSEMENT PLAN NA | 16 HOURS Revised 07/17/2025 7 b. Remove the magazine from the weapon using magazine release 1. Discard magazine c. Clear live rounds from the receiver and chamber d. Insert a fresh loaded magazine e. Chamber a round f. Obtain sight picture g. Assess if follow-up shots are necessary 4. Transition to back-up weapon a. Basic elements of transitioning 1. Recognize condition of weapon and need to transition 2. Quickly remove strong hand from patrol rifle and draw sidearm 3. As sidearm is being presented, guide patrol rifle in a controlled descent, twisting the rifle inward, so the muzzle is pointing at the ground and the rifle is trapped against the shooter’s chest 4. Once the rifle is secured the shooter can use a two-hand grip on their sidearm C. Team Reloads 1. Definition of verbalizations a. “Red” – The operator who needs to reload uses this word to alert their partner they need to reload. The shooter continues saying “red” until they are acknowledged b. “Covering” – The operator who is answering the call of “red” uses this word to acknowledge they are prepared to defend the person reloading c. “Green” – The operator who has successfully completed their reload or has cleared their malfunction, uses this word to alert the operator who is defending them that they are ready to stand VIII. Tactical Considerations A. Ammo management 1. Reload before you need to 2. Do not run the weapon dry B. Three methods for a tactical reload 1. Retention method a. Works best for left handed shooters and those with small hands b. Support hand removes old magazine. If there are rounds in the magazine it is stowed in a pocket or dump pouch ALBANY POLICE DEPARTMENT FIREARMS/BASIC RIFLE/CARBINE OPERATOR CCN: 5870-32075 | POST CERTIFICATION II | REIMBURSEMENT PLAN NA | 16 HOURS Revised 07/17/2025 8 c. Obtain a new magazine and insert it in the magazine well using the “push/pull” technique 2. Side-by-side method a. Draw fresh magazine from the pouch and bring it up to the weapon b. Keeping the index finger of the support hand between the new and old magazine, the shooter grasps magazine in the weapon c. Activate the magazine release using strong hand and remove old magazine d. Insert new magazine using the “push/pull” technique e. Depending upon the situation, shooter can either secure the old magazine in pocket or dump pouch, or continue to hold the magazine in their hand 3. “L” Formation a. Draw fresh magazine and bring it up to the weapon b. Grasp the old magazine while holding the new magazine parallel to the ground c. Remove the old magazine and inserts new magazine using “push/pull” technique d. Depending upon the situation, shooter can either secure the old magazine in pocket or dump pouch, or continue to hold the magazine in their hand C. Firing on the move 1. Two speeds – Slow & Deliberate and Dynamic a. Slow & Deliberate 1. Heel to toe walk using the legs as shock absorbers 2. Shooter’s muzzle should be depressed and the shooter should be actively searching for targets 3. Maintain alignment with shooters to left and right b. Dynamic 1. Heel to toe walk using the legs as shock absorbers 2. Slightly faster than “warrant speed” 3. Shooter’s muzzle should be depressed and the shooter should be actively searching for targets 4. Maintain alignment with shooters to left and right D. Physical environment 1. Be aware of both cover and concealment 2. Background Considerations a. Be sure of your target, its backstop and beyond ALBANY POLICE DEPARTMENT FIREARMS/BASIC RIFLE/CARBINE OPERATOR CCN: 5870-32075 | POST CERTIFICATION II | REIMBURSEMENT PLAN NA | 16 HOURS Revised 07/17/2025 9 b. The ballistic properties of the .223 mm versus other calibers c. Rifle caliber rounds will penetrate soft body armor (yours or theirs) 3. The patrol rifle affords the opportunity to maintain safe distances to threats 4. The patrol rifle affords an increased effective range over the service shotgun and handgun E. Weapon selection based on tactical situation (rifle vs. handgun) 1. The patrol rifle is easier to load and re-load than a service shotgun 2. The patrol rifle has a larger ammunition capacity than a service shotgun 3. The patrol rifle affords more accuracy than a service shotgun with a rifled slug IX. Considerations before discharging of a firearm A. Proper mind set B. Physical limitations 1. Know your abilities and limitations C. Knowledge of weapons system 1. Know the abilities and limitations of the patrol rifle or any firearm used D. Laws and Policies 1. Exercise fire discipline with Department guidelines and policies 2. Exercise fire discipline within the parameters of applicable State and Federal laws. X. Skill Development and Qualification A. Dry Firing Exercises (Done on the range under direct supervision of the instructors) 1. Dry fire each position (standing, high kneeling, low kneeling, sitting and prone). B. Live Firing Exercises (Done on the range under direct supervision of the instructors) 1. Zeroing at the 25 locating adjustments for optical/ iron sights - minimum 20 rounds 2. Live fire each position (standing, kneeling, sitting, and prone) - minimum 20 rounds 3. Live fire at various distances based on agency mission and environment - minimum 20 rounds ALBANY POLICE DEPARTMENT FIREARMS/BASIC RIFLE/CARBINE OPERATOR CCN: 5870-32075 | POST CERTIFICATION II | REIMBURSEMENT PLAN NA | 16 HOURS Revised 07/17/2025 10 4. Live fire at multiple targets (moving and stationary) utilizing proper stances, sight picture, muzzle and trigger control - minimum 20 rounds 5. Precision shooting exercises utilizing optics - minimum 10 rounds 6. Reloading and firing exercises with the preferred types of magazine reloads - minimum 20 rounds 7. Malfunction exercises. (single officer and team stoppage drills) - minimum 5 rounds/3 dummy rounds 8. Move and fire exercises utilizing shooting on the move tactics and target acquisition - minimum 10 rounds 9. Close quarter tactical shooting - minimum 30 rounds 10. Shoot / don’t shoot exercises - minimum 25 rounds 11. Low-light exercises - minimum 10 rounds C. Standards Drill 1. Accurate fire on target with not less than a score of 70% 2. All rounds on target 3. Maintain good body position for all positions of fire. D. Maintenance and Function Check 1. Student demonstration of breakdown and function check of tactical rifle. 2. Student proper re-assembly and function check of rifle. Testing: Any student scoring below standard on any exercise, as established by the presenter will be remediated, tested until competency is demonstrated to the satisfaction of the presenter that the standard has been met.