RPD completes firearms training

By Staff
Melissa Cason
MUSCLE SHOALS – Officers with the Russellville Police Department traveled to the Muscle Shoals Police Firing Range to complete their annual firearms qualifications Friday.
Police Chief Chris Hargett said each officer must score at least a 70 percent to qualify according to Alabama Police Officer Training and Standards Commission guidelines. But, Hargett requires more of his officers.
"Our departmental policy is that all officers score at least an 80 on firearms qualification," Hargett said. "SRT members are required to score at least a 90 on firearms."
Hargett said the reserve officers must score at least a 70 percent in order got qualify.
Hargett said officers might need to refresh their fundamentals in order to make the necessary grade.
"Officers get a little rusty, and it takes a few rounds to get used to shooting again," Hargett said.
Hargett said firearms qualifications are so important that not making the grade could mean they be pulled from the street until they qualify.
"If we have an officer that just can't meet the minimum standards, it may be necessary that he or she be pulled from patrol until the standards are met," Hargett said.
Hargett said this scenario has not happened in his department, but it doesn't mean that it could not.
"If we had an officer struggling, we'd get out here and work with them until they meet the requirements," Hargett said.
In addition to the regular firearms qualifications, the officers trained using their police rifles.
"The rifles training is just familiarize them with rifles," Hargett said. "There is no score on the rifle qualifications. We just like to keep our officers familiar with all of their firearms."
Hargett said his department goes to the firing range a couple times per year in order to train.
The reserve officers will complete their annual qualifications today.