Is target practice necessary? – (PIP # 80)

By Louise Peloquin    

     Coverage on Lowell police training.

 L’Étoile – December 5, 1924

THE POLICE DOES NOT NEED

REVOLVER PRACTICE

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Deputy Downey says using this arm is a rather simple affair.

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     Responding to journalists yesterday, Deputy Superintendent Hugh Downey expressed the opinion that target practice with a revolver was not at all necessary for the police. The many recent burglaries, where police officers in Boston and vicinity have been barbarously killed, triggered questions on the topic. The deputy said:

     “Concerning the need for officers to practice marksmanship with a revolver, allow me to point something out about anyone with extended police training. When a burgler starts shooting, he always does it before the officer or the armed citizen has the time to draw his own arm. He always has his gun pointed at someone or, in other words, he is ready for his prey. On the other hand, the police officer arrives quite suddenly and cannot shoot unless he is sure that the individual has a dangerous high-caliber weapon.

     And again, many of the agents in the department go to the shooting range in Dracut to practice using their revolver. In my opinion, every patrolman who has a gun learns all that is possible for his own protection and for that of the public. Let me tell you that we have excellent marksmen in our department. In fact, police officers are obliged use their revolver for their own preservation and therefore are naturally familiar with it.

     However, it is a noteworthy fact that even the most ignorant person can often get their hands on a revolver and use it. Hitting a target with a revolver does not require a special effort, as the case would be with a rifle or with a long arm.”

     Asked about equipment for target practice, the deputy declared that it would be impossible in the present building to accommodate such an exercise. As far as outside practice is concerned, no plan or arrangement has been made.

     Deputy Downey stated that he believes that all of his men are quite familiar with their own revolver and that there is a lot of pride among them about the number of bullseyes hit during their target practice sessions.

     Concerning the six Security Department machine guns, officers can benefit from training on using these arms whenever they wish. The deputy said that their use was very simple and that maneuvering them was not difficult.

     “Actually,” Deputy Downey said, “I think the officers are capable of facing a situation where it is necessary to fire a pistol, but that is quite rare. As a matter of fact, nothing of the kind has occurred since the murder of Abby Gilbride in Dracut last June.” (1)

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1) Translation by Louise Peloquin.