SHOOTING ON THE MOVE

Despite decades of specific training related to the how, the how not to, and the how fast, there was no deviation from normal walking, jogging, or running patterns used by the officer.  The “how” question can be best answered by stating that officers moved typically using a gait that was relative to their overall posture.  Most officers were in a lowered center of gravity at the time of their SOTM.  I did not observe many instances in which officers conducted one of the specific SOTM movement techniques that have been taught such as Groucho or combat glide.  Officers also did not seem to be concerned with specifics of where their feet were placed. Training range restrictions such as “never cross your feet,” did not appear to factor into officer’s movements at all.  There were also no instances where officers appear to trip and fall over their own feet.  Officers did go to the ground in several of the instances but those were exclusive to the rearward plane of movement and will be discussed further in the SOTM directionality section.  

The speed at which officers conducted their SOTM varied considerably.  Officers fired on the move in speeds ranging from a slow walk to sprinting.  The speed at which an officer moved and then subsequently engaged a threat while moving, appears to be tied almost exclusively to the threat.  The higher or closer a threat was to the officer, the faster the movement pattern.  

1.Significantly increase the number of drills in which Officers start from a ready position.  80% of all incidents studied had the Officer begin the LFE with a drawn gun and speed of draw was not a factor.  Speed to 1st hit is ALWAYS a factor in an LFE so working to increase efficiency from all positions is imperative.  I recommend a 50/50 breakdown in holstered/ready starting positions.  While there is merit to the idea of gaining the additional draw repetition, the timing of each is different.  Officers will often find themselves having a drawn gun in various situations from relatively low/unknown threat to very imminent threats such as an armed, uncooperative suspect.  Treat the ready position as seriously as that of the holstered handgun.  Beginning drills from the ready should be incorporated into all phases of training, especially movement-based drills.

9.Embrace alternate SOTM concepts beyond traditional methods.  Train officers to rapidly create distance while simultaneously engaging a threat one handed.  This type of drill is done at close distance and with signifigant urgency.

12.Match the overall training regime to the data.  Understanding that all skills must be taught and maintained, strive to set the overall training breakdown to match observed trends.  Roughly 50% of all LFE’s occurred with a static officer, match that on the range.  Further incorporate the additional movement types in their appropriate breakdowns.  Avoid over emphasis on necessary skills that are rarely seen.  Officers must know these skills but should not apply a disproportionate amount of training to them.  To illustrate this look at the number of times ancillary skills were applied in the 700 observed incidents.

•20 Emergency Reloads  2%
•2 Tactical Reloads.02%
•1 Speed Reload.01%
•6 Malfunction Clearances (ALL LV 1).08%
•1 Rifle to Handgun Transition.01%
*did not fire after transition

Speed to 1st hit is ALWAYS a factor in an LFE so working to increase efficiency from all positions is imperative.