Police Focusing On Bushmaster Training
New Zealand Police National News Release
2:34pm 23 May 2008
http://www.police.govt.nz/news/release.html?id=3949

Future Police training will place a greater emphasis on the Bushmaster rifle to ensure officers attending incidents where firearms may be involved are fully competent and confident in its use said Acting Assistant Commissioner Crime and Operations Gavin Jones.

While the Glock pistol is still a frontline firearm deployed by police the Bushmaster rifle is the preferred weapon when dealing with incidents involving firearms.

Mr Jones said there would be no compromise on safety for police staff or the public.

"It is mandatory for frontline police officers to complete the allocated 24 hours of firearms training each year to ensure their confidence and competence is maintained."

There will be no reduction in the hours allocated to ongoing firearms training

An important allied component of the firearms training under Police Staff Safety Tactical Training is defensive Tactics.

Research into the hours allocated for Defensive Tactics training has revealed that the eight hours allocated is not being fully utilised and that the programme can be more effectively conducted within a four hour programme.

Feedback suggests that the duration of the eight hour training session needed to be revised. It seems that staff have a preference for shorter sessions, but more often. This will be factored into our Tactical Options Deployment Review, which is currently in progress.

"We are continually looking to improve our training and ensure that it is keeping pace with the changes in levels of activities police have to deal with daily. There will be no reduction in the emphasis on safety of police staff and the safety of those whom our staff have to deal with."

ENDS

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