RPD holds firearm qualification

By Staff
Melissa Cason, Franklin County Times
MUSCLE SHOALS – The Russellville Police Department held the first day of their firearm qualification exercises yesterday at a firing range in Muscle Shoals.
The exercises will continue today so all Russellville's officers receive their yearly qualifications.
"Every officer has to qualify with a firearm yearly, but we like to qualify our officers quarterly," Police Chief Chris Hargett said.
Firearm qualifications are more than just being certified to carry a gun.
It is essential training for officers who do not fire a gun everyday. Firearm training is important to police officers because it could mean the difference between life and death, Hargett said.
"Accuracy in firearms is extremely important because if you are not accurate, it could get you killed," Hargett said.
During qualifying exercises, each officer must empty 50 live rounds of ammunition from different positions.
The officers are only given a specific amount of time for each position. Each round is worth two points, and the officer's score is tabulated according to his or her accuracy, Hargett said.
"I like for our officers to score at least an 80 because 70 is just the minimum requirement," Hargett said. "Our SRT members are required to score 90 or above."
Assistant Chief Robert Pace, who also the city's firearms instructor, said that Russellville's officers typically score in the high eighties and into the nineties.
"Officers qualify with the same firearms they carry on the streets, and use the same ammunition they would on duty so they will be prepared to use their gun if needed," Pace concluded.