Catalog Description

Prerequisite: Successful completion of a California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certified Police Academy and possess a POST basic certificate
Hours: 80 (36 lecture, 44 laboratory)
Description: Knowledge and skills to train police officers in firearm safety, marksmanship and range program development. Includes fundamentals of marksmanship, curriculum development, firearms safety, range management, handgun/shotgun theory and nomenclature, developing qualification courses and diagnosing shooting problems through practical shooting exercises. Firearms Instructor certificate issued for those achieving 80% on the written examination and range qualifications. Safety fee required. (not transferable)

Course Student Learning Outcomes

  • CSLO #1: Develop a shooting course lesson plan that meets post standards.
  • CSLO #2: Demonstrate appropriate instructional skills.
  • CSLO #3: Analyze shooters' targets and explain techniques for improvement.

Effective Term

Fall 2017

Course Type

Credit - Degree-applicable

Contact Hours

80

Outside of Class Hours

72

Total Student Learning Hours

152

Course Objectives

1. Create range safety management plans;
2. analyze legal and liability issues relative to range management;
3. evaluate firearms and equipment for safe operations;
4. design an operational plan for facility management;
5. apply instructional techniques for student development;
6. construct course layouts for target locations and safe movement;
7. demonstrate lecture and practical instructional applications;
8. explain and illustrate physical and psychological characteristics of marksmanship development;
9. compare evaluation and enhancement techniques to improve marksmanship deficiencies;
10. design and inventory considerations for classroom/range preparation;
11. contrast methods to evaluate student progress;
12. formulate an action plan for remediation;
13. present assigned blocks of instruction from an approved lesson plan;
14. construct goals and behavioral objectives;
15. apply safe and appropriate marksmanship principles;
16. analyze a shooter's performance through target analysis;
17. compare individual and group instructional methods and techniques;
18. produce a lesson using appropriate training aids/support;
19. apply the "leadership by example" principle;
20. develop, organize and utilize instructional materials for manipulative lessons;
21. design and administer shooting courses;
22. supervise a range with a maximum of efficiency and safety; and
23. apply appropriate training principles and methods.

General Education Information

  • Approved College Associate Degree GE Applicability
    • CSU GE Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU approval)
      • Cal-GETC Applicability (Recommended - Requires External Approval)
        • IGETC Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU/UC approval)

          Articulation Information

            Methods of Evaluation

            • Problem Solving Examinations
              • Example: Students will receive instruction on the proper mechanical operations of firearms. Students knowledge will be assessed through participations in a series of firearm failure drills that demonstrates certain types of firearm mechanical failures. Student will identify the problem and recommend how the problem can be corrected.
            • Skill Demonstrations
              • Example: Students will receive instruction on the proper mechanical operations of firearms. Students knowledge will be assessed through participations in a series of firearm failure drills that demonstrates certain types of firearm mechanical failures. Student will identify the problem and recommend how the problem can be corrected.

            Repeatable

            No

            Methods of Instruction

            • Laboratory
            • Lecture/Discussion

            Lab:

            1. Instructor will present students with recognized firearm range safety policies and procedures. Students will demonstrate this knowledge by developing and or updating their department range safety policy.

            Lecture:

            1. Instructor will lead an in-class discussion on the use of deadly force. Students will then demonstrate their knowledge by critiquing current events involving the use of police deadly force.

            Typical Out of Class Assignments

            Reading Assignments

            1. Read and analyze two current events articles that relate to "officer involved" shootings and be prepared to discuss their legality. 2. Read your department's use of force and shooting policy and be prepared to participate in classroom discussions of "shoot don't shoot" scenarios.

            Writing, Problem Solving or Performance

            1. Given used targets, analyze the bullet hole patterns, diagnose the shooting problem, and recommend a method of correction. 2. Prepare a fifteen minute teaching demonstration on shooting techniques and present it to the class.

            Other (Term projects, research papers, portfolios, etc.)

            1. Create and design range layouts. 2. Prepare sample lesson plans.

            Required Materials

            • Firearms Instruction
              • Author: Steve Morrill
              • Publisher: Placer County Sheriff's Office
              • Publication Date: 2008
              • Text Edition:
              • Classic Textbook?: No
              • OER Link:
              • OER:

            Other materials and-or supplies required of students that contribute to the cost of the course.