Private firearm training before police academy: pros and cons?

[PS100]

Although I've been shooting for a long time I have never had formal training- as in a private training course or official police academy.

As I pursue getting hired as an LEO, I was wondering, would it be a good idea to attend one of the many 2-3 day private tactical courses? My only concern is learning techniques that may not correlate or may hinder later training in a police academy. Would I have to "unlearn" things I learn in any of these tactical courses when I get to the academy, or can this training be of great help for the academy? I apologize if the answer to this is obvious, but again, since I have never been exposed to either type of training I don't know how close they are and whether they are compatible. Thanks in advance.

[Kieth M.]

My suggestion is....don't do it!:eek:

Academy shooting instructors often say they would rather teach someone to shoot, who had never fired a weapon before. Same might be said for tactical shooting.

What if a recruit officer said to an academy staff member, "But at (insert big name, high-speed, private gunfighter school) they told us to do it this way!" That will cause said recruit to get a rep with the staff which he/she will live to regret.

[PS100]

Thanks, that's what I was thinking, except more along the lines of what I would do during training, that it would show I trained elsewhere and that it would not be compatible with what they would teach me at the academy (I'd like to think I wouldn't be stupid enough to open my mouth!- but you never know right).

It occurred to me to add a poll.

[Kieth M.]

Police agencies get very territorial, the bigger the department - the more department collective ego exists...I know this very well. My previous employer touts itself as number one - and rejects, out of hand, anything from the outside. They used to call it, "NIH" meaning, "not invented here!"

They probably want you to be "putty in their hands." An empty vessel, for them to fill with their knowledge.

[dbphotos]

Many police officers offer private CHL training, etc. You might check with the dept. you are going to to see if they have someone that is a firearms instructor for the public and then I'd say yes. If not, then wait for the academy. Also, you need basic shooting and weapon mechanics before you take a tactical course (in my opinion).

[Guzman]

you dont need it. they will teach you what you need to know. you dont have to be a sniper or anything.

[Fëanor]

I'd save the money if I were you. Those courses are expensive! The police academy will teach you tactics that are specifically intended for LE use.

After the academy if you still have a desire to learn more, then I would start looking at the private courses. But if you will be working in LE it seems to me like your fundamental training should come from LE instructors.

[ERMDPD]

Don't do it. I didn't do it ahead of time because MDPD firearms instructors from the academy specificly told us not to practice on our own or with any one else before the academy. We have a week of firearms that go through a bunch of rounds. They said they will teach every thing we need to know about shooting.

[PS100]

Don't do it. I didn't do it ahead of time because MDPD firearms instructors from the academy specificly told us not to practice on our own or with any one else before the academy. We have a week of firearms that go through a bunch of rounds. They said they will teach every thing we need to know about shooting.

That settles it then, as this is as specific as it gets for me, since it's MDPD I am shooting for (no pun intended lol). Guess I can wait after the academy to have some weekend fun in Virginia. Assuming I make it to MPI 109/110.

[ArkansasFan24]

The way I feel is that if you're a good shot then you're a good shot. I don't see how experience can hurt. The people that I knew grew up shooting are the ones that shot best at the academy. I've been shooting since I was a toddler, and I got the shooting award at the academy although I'm sure just the opposite has happened too.

[Blackdog F4i]

How long before you attend the academy?

If it's weeks, then don't do it.

If it could be years, then sure take the class. Learning the fundamentals from a professional instructor then applying them will make you a better shooter. What I try to stop people from doing is learning "bubba's" tricks to better shootin' then having to relearn the correct methods later on.

Even after your academy and department firearms training I hope you seek out additional training.