Most believe that you will react, or fight as you have trained. For better than TWO DECADES now, LE training has taught the core priciples that we all know: Front sight focus, double taps, stance, cover & concealment. To see poor overall performance in over 900+ videos, and then cry "training"?TOTAL cop-out(Pardon the pun). Sample 900 cops, and there would surely be rookies, "shooters", and lackluster ones among them.
The rookies have had modern training, and it's fresh in their "programming". The best shooters excel at the modern methods, and there are many of them in LE. Even the laziest of cops, with under 20 years in service, have been taught them. Since the only time most of them shoot is in "qualification", that is ALL they know. Any course of fire I've witnessed reinforces those core techniques, or at least the cadre does.
So, why the poor showing? Is the theory in the first sentence flawed? I say that it is. Under the frightening reality of lethal assault, our bodies revert to nature's programming. The BEST trained personnel can overcome this, to a certain extent. The level is different for everyone. But, why should we continue fo focus the bulk of our training efforts AGAINST our natural reactions? Why don't we re-direct ourselves toward ACCENTUATING the use of our natural defenses?
For example, since it is evident that most cops thrust their guns out toward the threat, why not go with the isoceles position in "training"? Since most cops focus on the THREAT(not the sights), let's shoot with them taped off, or removed from the slide. (Radical, I know!) Gunfights happen up-close, in darkness, let's change our "quals" to reflect this. SHORTER distances of fire on the range, at night.
Make no mistake, I'm not advocating the abandonment of the other methods. I just feel that they should no longer be our main focus. There will certainly still be times when a long-range shot may be needed with the handgun. Learn the sights. There is the rare protracted gunbattle requiring a reload of the pistol. Learn how to do so. But under the influence of time, and distance from the threat, we're not as likely to fall victim to our natural fright response. This training then, will hold up under "stress". What we need is, methods that work under fright.
I did not take to this change of heart overnight. I learned, lived, and later taught the modern methods myself. I chalked up the "failures" to pilot error, not flight instructor error. I wrestled for months with this, testing, talking, researching for myself. I know the "doctrine" has worked for an elite few: Gabe Suarez, Chuck Taylor, and other local cops I know of. But, all these folks had something in common, they were/are at the top of their game. It is selfish, and unrealistic to expect this of most officers. It behooves us to give the majority something of value. That which will last even if they don't wash it, polish it, or use it once in awhile.
