Pittsfield Charter Twp, Michigan

Purpose

The Firearms Training Unit exists to perform training, advisory, and maintenance functions.

Selection

Members of this unit are selected from a pool of officers who have expressed an interest in joining the team. Letters of interest are solicited when an opening in the team arises. The selection is made by the team leader in concert with the Director of Public Safety and Captain.

Training

Newly selected members are sent to an intensive, weeklong, 70-hour course dealing with the fundamentals of firearms instruction. This course covers handgun and shotgun instruction techniques.

Responsibilities

Under the direction of the team leader, the team members provide initial firearms training to newly hired officers. They also give refresher training to experienced officers as needs are identified during an officer’s career. The need for refresher training is identified during qualification shoots that the team conducts several times each year.

Additionally, the team, through its leader, provides advice to the Director of Public Safety and Captain. This advice covers such topics as training programs, training standards, new weaponry and other new equipment that might help ensure the safety of our citizens and officers.

The Firearms Training Unit team members are factory-trained armorers. They are responsible for the care and repair of all Department-owned firearms. They can diagnose and repair most problems that may arise with any of the department’s weapon systems.”