FIREARMS INSTRUCTOR
Recertification
TY 2013
Massachusetts
Municipal Police Training Committee
SGT William Leanos, Firearms Training Coordinator
1
Author: Sgt. William Leanos
&
MPTC Firearms Training Advisory Committee
Based on the 2013 Distance Learning program developed
by Steve Taranto & Todd Bailey
Slide show presentation by Todd Bailey
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HOT TOPICS FOR TY 2013
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Distance Learning Program
Area Representatives
Electronic Certificates
Website News & Information page
MPTC Instructor Levels I & II
New Shotgun Program & Qualification
State Standard for Qualification & Training
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HOT TOPICS FOR TY 2013
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Updated Service Pistol Qualification
- 7 Yard stage
- Round Accountability on the range and on
the street
- Required hits at each stage
Remedial Training
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OBJECTIVES FOR TY 2013
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Identify relationship Area Representatives
have with the individual instructor
Know where the use of a firearm falls on to
the MPTC Use of Force model
Know how to access the MPTC Firearms
Training website and your electronic
certificates
State the four instructor levels and the
differences between Level I and II
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OBJECTIVES FOR TY 2013
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Identify the difference between training and
qualification
State your department’s firearms training
responsibilities with regard to the MPTC
Standard for Requalification and Training of
Municipal Police Officers
Demonstrate your proficiency and ability to
meet the minimum standard for instructor
requalification with applicable weapon systems
Demonstrate an understanding of the MPTC
scoring system and 100% round accountability
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MPTC Use of Force Model
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Legal Issues – Use of Force
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Tenn v. Garner (1985) Deadly force may not
be used against a non-dangerous fleeing
suspect UNLESS it is necessary to prevent
escape AND the suspect poses a significant
threat of death or serious bodily injury to the
officer or others.
Graham v. Conner (1989) Claims of
excessive force are analyzed under the 4th
Amendment’s “objective reasonableness”
standard.
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Legal Issues – Use of Force

Julian v. Randazzo (1989) Established that
Section 120.7 of the Model Code of Prearrainment Procedure is the standard by
which a police officer can use deadly force in
the Commonwealth.
"A law enforcement officer authorized to make an
arrest . . . may use such force as is reasonably
necessary to effect the arrest . . . .
The officer may use deadly force for these
purposes only if
(a) the arrest is for a felony; and
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(continued on next page)
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Legal Issues – Use of Force

Julian v. Randazzo (1989) (cont.)
(b) the officer reasonably believes that the force
employed creates no substantial risk to innocent
persons; and
(c) the officer reasonably believes that:
(i) the crime for which the arrest is made involved
conduct including the use or threatened use of
deadly force; or
(ii) there is a substantial risk that the person to be
arrested will cause death or serious bodily harm if
his apprehension is delayed."
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Legal Issues – Failure to Train

Canton v. Harris (1989)
- A municipality’s inadequate training may give
rise to a 42 USC 1983 liability when it is
deliberately indifferent to the rights of the city’s
inhabitants and actually causes the plaintiff’s
injury.

Popow v. Margate (1979)
- Firearms training for police officers should
include training related to the conditions the
officer is likely to encounter such as moving
targets, reduced light and residential areas.
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Legal Issues – Failure to Train

Young v. City of Providence (2005)
- This recent case emphasized the importance
of documenting training. There was testimony
that conflicted on whether certain training
actually took place. The court echoed earlier
opinions that training must be fully
documented for it to have taken place in the
eyes of the court.
- This is the only protection the instructor has
after the fact that they delivered the stated
training.
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DISTANCE LEARNING
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Classroom session being replaced by the
Distance Learning (DL) module
Found on MPTC website
DL training must be completed PRIOR to
attending the practical range session.
You must be on the MPTC Database to log on.
Instructor Information Update form will be part
of this process
Be sure to provide an Email address
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Communication
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Firearms Training News & Information
- www.firearmsinstructor.org
Your online source for up to date news,
information and course materials
- Certificates
- Lesson Plans
- Forms
- Courses of Fire
- Manuals
- Training Schedule
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ONLINE SERVICES
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Certificates are now generated electronically in
PDF format
Firearms training certificates issued to you since
2007 can be accessed on line.
- Go to www.firearmsinstructor.org
- Select the CERTIFICATE tab.
- Login is the email address you provided to the
Firearms Coordinator.
If you have a problem – contact your Area
Representative FIRST
Material will be added and updated as necessary
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Support Staff
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Assistant Coordinators
Cliff Alves
(978) 804-9057
cliffalves@verizon.net
Ron Raneri
(781) 314-3527
rraneri@police.waltham.ma.us
Steve Taranto
(781) 724-6569
staranto@police.waltham.ma.us
The Assistant Coordinators speak with the
authority of the Statewide Coordinator on issues
related to firearms training.
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Support Staff
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Area Representatives
Area 1 – Essex Co., Probation, MBTA, MLEFIAA and IALEFI
Cliff Alves
(978) 804-9057 cliffalves@verizon.net
Area 2 – Middlesex Co, Environmental Police, Federal Agencies
Ron Raneri
(781) 314-3527 rraneri@police.waltham.ma.us
Steve Taranto
(781) 724-6569 staranto@police.waltham.ma.us
Area 3 – Norfolk and Suffolk Counties, AMTRAK, College PDs,
Massport
Ron Raneri
(781) 314-3527 rraneri@police.waltham.ma.us
Area 4 – Berkshire, Franklin, Hampshire, Hampden and Worcester
Counties, Mass. State Police
Bert DuVernay
(508) 867-2059 chief@newbraintree.org
Area 5 – Bristol, Barnstable, Dukes, Nantucket and Plymouth Counties,
Sheriff’s Offices and DOC
Steve Assad
(774) 328-2832 smkjoe5931@comcast.net
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Firearms Training Organization &
Information Flow Chart
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MPTC Instructor Levels
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All MPTC disciplines have multi-tier instructor
system
Level I – Basic instructor
Level II – Advanced instructor
Level III – Lead Instructors for MPTC
programs
Level IV – Master Instructor Trainer
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INSTRUCTOR LEVELS
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Level I (Basic Firearms Instructor)
- Entry level for all firearms instructors
- Teaches at agency level only
- 1 year of FT or PT on the job
- Successful completion of 10 Day Basic
Firearms Instructor school or approved
equivalent
(NOT authorized to teach the 20 hour
Reserve Intermittent Firearms course)
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INSTRUCTOR LEVELS
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Level II (Advanced Firearms Instructor)
All Basic / Level I privileges plus
- Authorized to teach the 20 hour Reserve
Intermittent Officer Firearms Course
- May assist with Recruit Academy level
program if under MPTC contract
- Experience requirement
- 4 yrs as basic instructor
- Actively teaching
- Documentation required
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INSTRUCTOR LEVELS
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Level III (MPTC Lead Instructor)
All Basic & Level II privileges plus
- Authorized to function as Lead Instructor
at MPTC Firearms Training programs.
- 2 yrs as Level II instructor
- 24 hr. MPTC Instructor Development
- MPTC Use of Force Instructor
- Actively teaching
- 24 hrs actively assisting @ MPTC
firearms classes under a Level III
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INSTRUCTOR LEVELS
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Level IV (MPTC Master Instructor)
All Level III privileges plus authorized to
teach all MPTC firearms programs.
- 4 yrs as Level III instructor
- Instructor Development Course
- Submit resume and supporting docs to
MPTC Firearms Coordinator for review
by Steering Committee and approval by
Executive Director
- Approved only as needed
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Firearms Instructor Certification
Update
Certification is now valid for three (3) years
 94% is minimum passing score
- MPTC / MSA Certification
- MSA Certification Optional
 MSA has adopted MPTC Patrol Rifle &
Shotgun qualification courses
 100% Round Accountability
- All your rounds must land on the “body”
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INSTRUCTOR RECERTIFICATION
REQUIREMENT
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100% round accountability
Each scored hit = 2 points
Hits in the grey
silhouette area do
not score points
however they are
considered a “hit”.
Hits outside the
silhouette area or
off the paper are
considered a miss.
No score for that
stage and shooter
must re-shoot the
stage.
Hits within the “milk
bottle” score points.
This includes the
pelvic scoring area.
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INSTRUCTOR REQUIREMENT
100% Round Accountability
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Goals:
- Improve marksmanship
- Enhance officer safety
- Enhance safety of the general public
- Encourage practice
Stresses the importance of making each shot count
- 1 accurate shot beats 3 misses all day
Instructors will lead from the front by setting the
example of marksmanship
Rounds not fired due to misfire or malfunction are
“accounted for” via an alibi fire or by virtue of not
being fired.
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INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATION
REQUIREMENTS
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No more than 3 attempts to attain a passing
score on qualification. If not;
- Repeat Basic Firearms Course
Your instructor certification may not be
expired for more than 4 years*. If so;
- Repeat Basic Firearms Course
* w/o approval from Statewide Coordinator
(Effective: 1/1/10)
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NON-INSTRUCTOR QUALIFICATION
All Other Personnel
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MPTC QUALIFICATION COURSE
Minimum of 80% for passing score
- 40 out of 50 shots in scoring area
- 2 pts. per round in scoring area
All rounds accounted for on the paper
Achieve minimum # of rounds in scoring for
that stage (distance).
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Non-Instructor Requirements
Hits within the “milk
bottle” score points.
This includes the
pelvic scoring area.
Hits to grey
silhouette and
outside border on
the paper do
not score points
however they are
considered a “hit”.
Hits off paper are
considered a miss.
Shooter must
reshoot any stages
where a miss
occurs.
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Non-Instructor Round Accountability
Department qualifications
 All rounds must “hit the paper”
- Rounds observed to miss the paper are
“unaccounted for”
- Instructor should use discretion and
common sense when scoring targets.
 Reasoning - Police officers are responsible
for every round they fire
- Missed rounds can kill or injure innocent
bystanders
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State Standard
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts now has a
written “standard” for firearms qualification
& training
MPTC Pistol Qualification course is the
standard qualification course of fire
Applies to all agencies that fall under the
MPTC umbrella
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State Standard
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Approved in March 2010
Establishes minimum re-qualification and
continual training standards
At this time, applies ONLY to handgun
Required of ALL sworn municipal full and
part time police officers in the
Commonwealth
Acknowledges differences between
Qualification & Training
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Qualification
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Intended to document
- Existing marksmanship proficiency
- Ability to handle a firearm safely
Annual Qualification
- 50 round MPTC qualification course
- Minimum passing score of 80%
- 94% for instructors
- Duty handgun (pistol / revolver)
- MPTC approved targets
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Training
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Training is intended to improve the
officer’s
- Marksmanship proficiency
- Firearms handling skills
under stress in a variety of potential
shooting situations as well as to enhance
officer safety and the safety of the public.
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Training
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Two Annually (within 12 month period)
3 mandatory components
- Policy Review to include use of firearms
and deadly force, firearms safety and safe
storage of firearms
- 50 round live fire range training session
- Multiple exercises
- 2nd practical training session
- Separate date
- Live fire NOT required at the 2nd
session
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Annual Training Standard
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Instruction and review of
- Deadly force legal issues (case law)
- Department policy on use of deadly force
- Safe handling of firearms
- Safe storage of firearms (c140s131L)
This may be done at the time of
qualification, range training or on a separate
date
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Annual Training Standard
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Live fire session will include at least 50
rounds
- Broken up into multiple training exercises
- Shall be in addition to the 50 rounds fired
in the Qualification Course.
- May be conducted on the same day as the
50 round Qualification Course
- May use any target
- Reactive targets encouraged
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Annual Training Standard
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Training shall be realistic in nature
or scenario based and include
- Judgmental shooting
- Reduced light shooting
- Multiple target drills or scenarios
- Moving targets
- Shooting while moving
- Use of cover
- Shooting from a variety of positions
- Sighted & Point shooting techniques
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Annual Training Standard
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The second training session shall be held on
a separate date from the live fire training.
No time requirements
- i.e. this could be Roll Call training
The important thing is to have quality
training and properly document the training
with lesson plans and training reports.
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Annual Training Standards
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Skill building drills may include
- Simulators (Range 3000, FATS, etc.)
- Simulations (Simunitions®, Airsoft, Plastic
rounds or Red/Blue Guns)
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Departments are encouraged to use MPTC
instructors in their programs
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Evaluation
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Performance beyond the actual marksmanship
score
Can be cause for failure of the course of fire
Includes
- Ability to handle the firearm safely
- Cardinal Rules
- Move with the firearm safely
- Tactics
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FIREARMS SAFETY RULES
REVIEW
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All weapons are always treated as if they
were loaded.
Never point a weapon at anything you are
not willing to destroy.
Keep your finger off the trigger until you are
on target and have made the decision to fire.
Know your target and what is beyond it.
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FIREARMS SAFETY RULES
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Know your target and what is beyond it.
Especially in crowds and urban areas, etc.
Expect tunnel vision
- Look beyond the threat for bystanders
- NYPD Empire State Bldg incident
Change your angle to the threat if possible
for a clear shot
Maybe it is not SAFE to take the shot!
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RANGE RULES
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Download and print RANGE SAFETY
RULES
Read the form
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Sign the form
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Bring the form with you to the range
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RANGE
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New format for 2013
- 2 sessions per day
- Morning runs 0700 – 1130
- Afternoon runs 1030 – 1500
- Be sure to specify which session you want
Using ALFA Range at Fort Devens
- Obey all speed and seat belt laws on base
Other locations at North Dartmouth, Barre
(MLEFIAA) and Western Mass.
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Pistol Qualification Revision
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7 yard line completely changed
Start at 15 yard line
- Shooting on the move to 7 yd line (2 rounds)
- Shooting from cover* (4 rounds)
- 1 handed shooting from cover*
- 2 rounds dominant hand only
- 2 rounds support hand only
*Cover used if available
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Pistol Qualification Revision
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Specific requirements on the minimum
number of hits required at each distance
Distance
Min # of hits
15 yards
4
10 yards
8
7 yards
8
5 yards
10
3 yards
10
If the shooter doesn’t meet these minimums, they
must reshoot the stage. 3 attempts max.
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This scoring is independent of the 94% and
80% requirements
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LEOSA
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LEOSA Improvements Act passed in 2010
Changes include:
- Specifically allows any ammo not
prohibited by federal law or subject to Nat’l.
Firearms Act
- Includes AMTRAK, Federal Reserve and
Executive Branch police officers
- Redefines retired officers as ones
“separated from service in good standing”
- Establishes 3 ways for retired officers to
qualify (continued)
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LEOSA (cont.)
- Meets qualification standards of their
former agency or
- Meets qualification standards of state in
which they reside or if the state has no
qualification standard an agency within the
state in which the individual resides or
- The standards used by a certified firearms
instructor qualified to conduct firearms
qualification for active officers in that state.
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LEOSA (cont.)
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Creates possible conflicts with state laws
- Massachusetts CMR defining retirees,
identification cards and qualification
- New Jersey law prohibiting hollow point
ammo by anyone other than LE on duty
Note – LEOSA does not (yet) address the
issue of high capacity magazines carried by
off duty/retired officers in states prohibiting
them.
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Shotgun Qualification
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The 25 round Shotgun qualification course
is the standard effective Jan. 1, 2013
New program is more practical
- Includes downloading / unloading as a
testable component
- Emphasizes tactical reloading
- Incorporates movement, use of cover,
multiple rounds and shooting on the move
- Commonality in training with Patrol Rifle
program
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New Shotgun Program
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Core fundamentals:
 Operation
- including accessing from cruiser
 Marksmanship
 Loading, downloading & unloading
 Tactical Reloading ( aka topping off)
- “Put back what you shoot”
 Movement
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Remedial Training
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Agency policy on what action will be taken should
an officer fail to qualify with any dept. weapon
- Criteria for
- Immediate remedial training (critical issues)
- What warrants taking the officer’s weapon?
- Remedial at a later date
- Not a safety or serious proficiency issue
- # of attempts to qualify allowed
- Steps if officer fails to meet agency standards
Every reasonable attempt must be made to provide
retraining and opportunities to qualify
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Remedial Training
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Consistent and/or flagrant violations of standard
safety rules in addition to dangerously poor
marksmanship must be addressed immediately in
the interest of officer and public safety.
Marksmanship is a perishable skill
- Skill level will deteriorate without sufficient
ongoing training
- Departments can not reasonably expect an officer
to remain proficient without quality ongoing
training
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Remedial Training

During the practical portion of the recertification
you will see several drills and exercises which are
useful to diagnose problem shooters
- Wall Drill
- 1 Hole Drill
- Ball & Dummy Drill
- Exemplar Drill
-
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Remember – You do not get sued
for ‘failure to qualify’…
You are sued for
FAILURE TO TRAIN
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