Times Observer photo by Brian Ferry City of Warren Police officers (from left) Sgt. Joe Bees, Sgt. Nathan Bond, and Patrolman Kyle Grey fire qualifying shots with AR-15s while prone Tuesday at Sheffield Rod and Gun Club.
Warren County law enforcement officers qualified on their firearms this week.
City of Warren Police held its annual spring qualifications at Sheffield Rod and Gun Club Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, and welcomed other local departments to join them.
The city’s training followed Municipal Police Officers’ Training and Education Commission (MPOETC) standards.
The training started with a safety plan and the city’s firearms instructors — Sgt. Matthew Mumford, Patrolman A.J. Foriska, and Patrolman Wade Suppa — were in charge throughout.
As usual, qualification included firing 60 rounds through pistols, 42 with rifles, and 15 with shotguns at a variety of distances.
Times Observer photo by Brian Ferry City of Warren Police Patrolman Tyler Wagner fires out of a donated vehicle during training Tuesday at Sheffield Rod and Gun Club.
Some of those shots were taken while standing, kneeling, or prone. Most, but not all, were taken with each officer’s primary hand.
“We’re shooting more than qualification,” Suppa said.
With an ammunition shortage limiting officers’ ability to practice last year, “it’s good to be back to a regular schedule,” Mumford.
In addition to more ammunition, there was additional equipment for the officers to practice with.
Thanks to donations from Blue Line Auto and Hilltop Auto, officers were able to practice shooting into, out of, and through vehicles and could examine how different parts of vehicles affect the trajectory of bullets of various calibers.
Officers practiced shooting through the windshield while seated in a vehicle.
“We’re learning to shoot out of vehicles,” Suppa said. “We’re learning how bullets exit the vehicle.”
“It’s a unique training opportunity,” Mumford said. “It’s a bad situation to be in, but it’s good to be trained in it.”
They also learned how bullets enter and pass through vehicles.
“We’re going through a ballistic demonstration of the vehicle to show what cover they can provide,” Suppa said. “It’s an eye-opening experience.”
They tested various parts of vehicles — sedans and SUVs for defense.
Years of training to fire from a safe location behind the doors of a vehicle proved unsatisfactory. A 9-mm round went straight through.
“You have much better protection if you’re using these pillars,” Suppa said.
The pillars stopped numerous rounds and offered a variety of angles.
The safety of officers was the first priority of the training.
“Everybody had a different expectation,” Suppa said. “We were lucky to get these vehicles donated.”
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