Defensive Tactics Instructors

PATROL DIVISION

TRAINING

Firearms Instructors

The firearms and defense tactics instructors comprise the agencies Use of Force Training Unit. There are four certified Firearms Instructors that have specialized duties within the unit. Sergeant Mundale supervises the Use of Force training program and is also an active firearms instructor with a primary emphasis on handgun training. Sergeant Petterson, is also a handgun instructor with specific duties to develop and implement the patrol rifle program. Sergeant Petterson is the department’s certified Patrol Rifle Instructor and AR-15 Armorer. Officer Drenth and Officer Sorensen joined the program together and have been instructors for last two years. They are certified handgun instructor’s with emphasis on the tactical shotgun. Together, these four instructors work together to train, test and evaluate the license peace officers of this agency under the mandated training requirements set forth by the Peace Officer Standards & Training (P.O.S.T.) Board.

In 2009, the firearms instructors conducted three mandatory training events, in addition to the initial patrol rifle operator’s course. The firearms courses this year consisted of a Winter / Cold Weather training, the Spring / Annual Qualification and Evaluation Course, and the Fall / Low Light- Night training course. Each event has a set of training goals and objectives which is specific to the training or environmental conditions, such as cold weather or night training.

In August, Sergeant Petterson conducted the initial basic patrol rifle operator’s course after receiving patrol rifles through budget requisitions and capital improvement planning in 2008. There was an eight month delay introducing the rifles into the patrol division due to supply and demand of rifle ammunition as a result of the war effort. Sergeant Petterson’s basic patrol rifle course consisted of 9 hours, including classroom and range live fire drills.