Police Are Not Typically Good Shooters

In reference to this post, there was a comment delivered that 90% of police can only shoot marginally well. A reader writes in and challenges that.

"I think that is a mistake. Every cop I know can shoot way better than your regular joe."

OK. I'll take this bait.

Let's work from the presumption that this is true, and the reader really believes it, and has no reason to mislead. Let's also work from the presumption that this is not hyperbole.

For the sake of clarity, let's use the old "1 - 10" scale. 1 is someone who has never handled a firearm, and 10 is Jerry Miculek. 90% of police would be a "3." While this is much better than the 1's and 2's out there, it is nowhere near what that sort of statement makes them out to be. Some of these police know this. Some do not.

With a sole exception, every firearms instructor I've taken a class from was at least a 7 on this scale within his/her discipline. So, even if pistol is not their thing, they are still in that "5" range - and that is many times better than the typical police officer. In a state the size of Tennessee, there may not be a handful of police / LEO that are a 5 or better in pistol shooting.

From the other side of the fence, I recently became NRA Pistol Instructor Certified (more on that later). Of 10 participants, only 3 of us shot well enough on the instructor shooting evaluation to pass on the first try. One more passed on their second try. Aside from myself, one of the other two who passed on the first try was a friend who has been to several of my classes.

Prior to that class, he had a low opinion of his shooting ability. Now, it is much improved. Honestly, with a pistol, he is a solid 6 or 7. And for the record, everyone in the room had substantial personal experience shooting. However, few had trained in classes prior.