THE EDITOR, Sir:

"As we train them, so they will perform" is a maxim familiar to professional law enforcement firearms instructors.

It is generally held that in a fight, the officer's performance will not suddenly rise to the occasion, but will sink to the level of training that has been received. Firearm skills are degradable, therefore it is necessary to practise regularly.

Unfortunately, the praise or blame generally falls on the individual officer for being a 'good cop' or a 'killer cop'.

As servants of the public, police are expected to be accountable for every action and for every shot. Firearm training is a dynamic process that is directly impacted by the quality of administrative policy, the size of the budget, and the knowledge and skill of the instructor.

Testing is not training

Annual firearms qualification testing is not training; it is just that, an arbitrary test to verify a basic level of competence in the use of police firearms and the ability to implement basic marksmanship skills in a controlled range setting.

Policy is an important tool that clearly states the principles and guidelines for performance. For example, a firearm policy document might contain, but not be limited to, guidelines for shooting from a moving vehicle, shooting at a moving vehicle, shooting in dim light conditions, on boats, from a horse, on bicycle patrol, use-of-force, the use-of-force continuum, shooting at moving targets, shooting in populated areas and ethics development.

It should specify the method of managing training data and shooting incident data, to enable the instructor to develop useful statistics and adapt training to changing needs as they develop.

Funding needed

Training costs money. Funding to provide continuing police firearm education must be identified and provided immediately to facilitate periodic tactical training, target practice and distance learning.

Access to ammunition at qualified shooting facilities will enable individual officers to take ownership of their personal responsibility to improve their level of efficiency. Firearms instructors must stay on the cutting edge by participating in external instructor training.

The hardworking men and women of the Jamaica Constabulary Force and the Island Special Constabulary Force serve us well night and day and in adverse conditions. Investing in better police firearms training now, will pay huge dividends in safety and satisfaction for the individual officers and the community at large. Can we really afford not to?

I am, etc.,

JAMES M. PAIR