I have not been a LEO for many years, and I am not "up" on current police training. So maybe there is more than I have seen in the gunzine ads and "reality" cop shows on TV.
But back in pre-historic times when cops carried revolvers and didn't look like soldiers ready to take on an army, I was trained to enter a dark area carrying my gun in my right hand (strong hand) and the flashlight in my left hand away from and ahead of the body. The idea was that if a BG shot at the light or if he assumed the light was in the officer's right hand and fired to its left, he would hit nothing and the officer could fire at the muzzle flash.
I was also trained in the radical idea that if an officer entered a dark room where there was a good chance of BG's being present, the best way to get light on the scene was to (ready for this?) turn on the lights if he could find the switch. Since the cop would be ready for the brightness, the chance of disconcerting and blinding the BG was pretty good.
Now, it seems to be the fad to attach the light to the gun, and then stand up with the face directly behind the light where (IMHO) the BG will put his bullets. I realize that police now have all kinds of "bullet proof" vests, but they don't cover the face, which is right behind the light that BG will shoot at.
Also, it seems that it is now considered a no-no to turn on a light. Instead, the officer switches on a tiny light that covers maybe 2 degrees and "sweeps" the room, looking for the bad guy. So unless the light happens to illuminate the crook first try, the BG simply shoots at the light. A laser light does an even better job of pointing directly back at the gun (and the cop).
I was also trained in the idea that anyone entering a dark area from a lighter area would be silhouetted against the light; that would seem to make sneaking around the door edge or even going to the floor a better idea than jumping out into the middle of the doorway, as is done on TV.
Now police funerals are impressive, with all those flashing red and blue lights, and bagpipes and all that, but IMHO, most cops would prefer to avoid the necessity. So why are they carrying what amounts to a neon sign reading "shoot here"?
Jim
But back in pre-historic times when cops carried revolvers and didn't look like soldiers ready to take on an army, I was trained to enter a dark area carrying my gun in my right hand (strong hand) and the flashlight in my left hand away from and ahead of the body. The idea was that if a BG shot at the light or if he assumed the light was in the officer's right hand and fired to its left, he would hit nothing and the officer could fire at the muzzle flash.
I was also trained in the radical idea that if an officer entered a dark room where there was a good chance of BG's being present, the best way to get light on the scene was to (ready for this?) turn on the lights if he could find the switch. Since the cop would be ready for the brightness, the chance of disconcerting and blinding the BG was pretty good.
Now, it seems to be the fad to attach the light to the gun, and then stand up with the face directly behind the light where (IMHO) the BG will put his bullets. I realize that police now have all kinds of "bullet proof" vests, but they don't cover the face, which is right behind the light that BG will shoot at.
Also, it seems that it is now considered a no-no to turn on a light. Instead, the officer switches on a tiny light that covers maybe 2 degrees and "sweeps" the room, looking for the bad guy. So unless the light happens to illuminate the crook first try, the BG simply shoots at the light. A laser light does an even better job of pointing directly back at the gun (and the cop).
I was also trained in the idea that anyone entering a dark area from a lighter area would be silhouetted against the light; that would seem to make sneaking around the door edge or even going to the floor a better idea than jumping out into the middle of the doorway, as is done on TV.
Now police funerals are impressive, with all those flashing red and blue lights, and bagpipes and all that, but IMHO, most cops would prefer to avoid the necessity. So why are they carrying what amounts to a neon sign reading "shoot here"?
Jim