LAWE2290 Firearms
This course will include instruction in the areas of Use of Deadly Force, Simunitions, Firearms and Judgmental Shootings.
Prerequisite
Admission into the Law Enforcement Program
Course Requirements and Evaluation
Refer to Course Syllabus for detailed information regarding the requirements and evaluation standards for this course. The Course Syllabus will be distributed the first week of the course.
Learning Outcomes
The following outcomes will be addressed in the course:
Fire ammunition using semiautomatic pistols, rifles and shotguns with accuracy and safe handling
Demonstrate proper use of cover and concealment
Perform shooting exercises under a variety of light levels
Demonstrate proper cleaning techniques for handguns
Apply escalation and de-escalation tactics and procedures in the use of force continuum
Describe deadly force utilization according to MN State Statute(s) and MN case law
Demonstrate the ability to write factual, concise, and complete reports
Demonstrate the most proper and safest methods to approach and apprehend high risk suspects
Demonstrate procedures for confronting suspects and placing him/her under control or arrest
Demonstrate the verbal skills needed to control and de-escalate situations in various scenarios
Demonstrate the ability to make appropriate force decisions under stress
Employ proper tactics in dealing with suspects possessing weapons
Identify appropriate weapon based on assessment of situation
Minnesota POST Board Learning Objectives:
1.1.2 Discuss barriers to clear communication, e.g. language, stress, bias, lack of common cultural understanding.
1.8.1 Discuss the importance of a survival mindset for officers including: physical and psychological preparation for force encounters, risks associated with complacency, and wearing body armor and other safety equipment.
1.8.2 Identify the physiological, psychological and emotional effects of stress.
1.8.3 Explain some of the stressors encountered by peace officers and their effect on officers and their families including: duty related stressors, i.e. frequent encounters with illegal or unethical behaviors, emotionally charged scenes, people in distress, trauma and tragedy, stressors related to fatigue and shiftwork, and stress and long term effects associated with hypervigilance.
1.8.4 Discuss physical and psychological effects of stress before, during and after a high risk or traumatic incident including: the effects of high risk stress on the body including the brain, vision, hearing, muscles and respiratory system, and the nervous and cardiovascular systems, and how knowledge of the effects of stress in high risk or life threatening situations can help officers perform under stress.
1.8.5 Discuss critical incident debriefing and identify support services and resources for peace officers.
1.8.6 Discuss Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and acute stress disorders and their symptoms.
1.8.7 Describe officer survival/safety issues relative to a variety of peace officer duties, including traffic enforcement, arrest, vehicle stops, felony stops, pursuits, and plain clothes and undercover work.
1.8.8 Explain the importance of balancing peace officer roles and responsibilities and other life roles, interests and responsibilities.
2.8.1 Explain Minnesota statutes and relevant case law related to the application of force by peace officers.
2.8.2 Explain the following terms: objectively reasonable, totality of circumstances, situational factors, pre-assaultive indicators, and, escalation and de-escalation as related to peace officer use of force.
2.8.3 Discuss the term reasonable as it related to use of force.
2.8.4 State how department policies regarding use of force including deadly force may and may not vary.
2.8.5 Given scenarios, recognize when force is or is not authorized and give and defend reasonable choices for the application of various types of force depending on the circumstances of the scenario.
2.8.6 Give Supreme Court case examples authorizing the use of deadly force.
2.8.7 Analyze a variety of situations where force may or may not be authorized and demonstrate an understanding of the concept of reasonable use of force.
2.8.8 Explain the Minnesota Statute that requires officers be trained in the use of those weapons and equipment the officer is issued or authorized to carry (Minn. Stat. 626.8452).
2.8.9 Explain when force may be used to make an arrest.
2.8.10 Discuss liabilities associated with the application of force by peace officers.
2.21.1 Discuss the role of peace officers in managing and de-escalating hostile situations including how the attitude and expectations of an officer influences responses in crisis situations.
2.21.2 Describe anger/conflict management strategies useful to officers in resolving problems that arise in law enforcement settings.
2.21.3 Identify strategies and de-escalation techniques officers may use to manage conflict, reduce anger, and improve communication and cooperation and de-escalate volatile or hostile situations.
3.4.1 Discuss how conflict management strategies depend on the situation and various strategies that may be useful in resolving situations involving individuals dealing with mental illness, substance use, or developmental disabilities such as autism.
3.10.3 Discuss tactical emergency medical care considerations in on-going emergency situations.
3.14.56 Given situations involving individuals demonstrating signs and/or characteristics of mental illness, behavioral disorder or suicidal intentions requiring intervention, demonstrate appropriate intervention techniques that are likely to be beneficial in managing the situations (Minn. Stat. 626.8455) including: modeling behavior that shows the importance of putting safety first, staying alert and the danger of complacency or taking anything for granted when dealing with an individual experiencing a mental health crisis, unless situation appears immediately dangerous/critical, avoiding challenging or violating personal space, trying to eliminate noise and distractions, having one officer take lead and open communication from a safe distance, using communication techniques designed to de-escalate volatile situations including: being patient, calm, honest and compassionate, using active listening skills while not encouraging or agreeing with delusions, using a calming voice, and avoiding challenging questions and allowing for venting.
4.2.2 Demonstrate basic principles of safe handling, operating, and shooting handguns and long guns including stance, grip, trigger pressure, sight alignment, and sight picture in standing, kneeling and roll over prone shooting positions.
4.2.3 Demonstrate proficiency (minimum score of 70% at each required distance) with shooting handguns including: close quarter shooting skills with a handgun including ability to rapidly fire multiple rounds from close quarters (no more than 2 yards from target) position, medium range shooting skills with a handgun including the ability to shoot with dominant and with non-dominant hand in both supported and unsupported shooting positions in a medium range (no closer than 5 yards and no further than 7 yards) position, and longer distance shooting skills with a handgun including the ability to draw and fire at a target that is (15 to 25 yards) away.
4.2.4 Demonstrate weapon handling including close quarter unsupported, weapon hand supported and unsupported, reaction hand supported and unsupported, and proficiency with a handgun from standing, kneeling or prone position.
4.2.5 Participate in practical handgun shooting exercises.
4.2.6 Participate in exercises and live fire or simulation drills involving: - shooting from a down position, - non-dominant hand drawing and shooting, - use of non-traditional sight picture for aiming at close range (3 to 5 yards).
4.2.7 Participate in malfunction drills using dummy rounds that include: open and closed chamber malfunction drills with handgun, weapons transition drills, and one-handed malfunction drills with both dominant and non-dominant hand.
4.2.8 Define the terms cover and concealment as they pertain to peace officer firearms drills.
4.2.9 Demonstrate shooting from behind cover and on the move.
4.2.10 Practice decision making skills while participating in firearms simulation scenarios including: multiple opponents (live fire on multiple targets), targets that fail to stop, low light/night shooting techniques including use of flashlight techniques in live-fire drills in low light/night conditions, and reloading under fire including pistol, rifle, and shotgun.
4.2.11 Demonstrate basic long gun shooting skills.
4.3.1 Evaluate situations that may require the use of force, determine when force is authorized and necessary, and discuss options for the reasonable use of reasonable force.
4.3.2 Assess, articulate and report reasons for use of force including pre-assaultive indicators and situational factors.
4.3.3 Participate in and evaluate others real time practical situations that require the use of force.
4.3.4 In real-time scenario exercises, make decisions about reasonable use of force.
Text and References
A list of textbooks required for this course is available at the bookstore.
Course Scheduling
The scheduled hours of instruction include sixteen hours for each lecture credit, thirty two hours for each lab credit and forty hours for each credit of supervised occupational experience (SOE). Lecture credit may include formal or impromptu lectures, demonstrations or discussions with the entire class or with small groups or individuals. Refer to the Credit Details section of this course outline for the credit breakdown.
Accommodations Statement
Disability Services assists students with disabilities who need accommodations to access programs, services and college activities. If this applies to you, please contact the DS Office on your campus to initiate the accommodations process.
Brooklyn Park Campus - 763-488-2477
Eden Prairie Campus – 952-995-1544
Campus
Brooklyn Park Campus: 952-995-1300
Credit Details