8.3 POST Firearms Qualification & Shoot/Don't Shoot Judgment

8.3 POST Firearms Qualification & Shoot/Don't Shoot Judgment

While technical marksmanship ensures a round hits its intended target, tactical judgment ensures the round is fired lawfully and ethically. The Louisiana POST certification process rigorously evaluates both the physical skill of shooting and the cognitive demands of the use of deadly force.

The POST Firearms Qualification Standard

To graduate from a Louisiana POST academy and maintain certification, an officer must pass a strict firearms qualification course. Unlike the academic standard (which requires a 70% passing score on written exams), the firearms qualification requires an 80% minimum score. This elevated standard reflects the critical, zero-margin-for-error nature of deadly force. If an officer fails the firearms qualification, they cannot be certified, regardless of their academic performance or physical fitness scores.

Daylight Course of Fire

The standard daylight qualification course evaluates an officer's ability to draw from the holster, engage targets accurately under time pressure, and perform mandatory reloads.

• Distances: Engagements typically span from point-blank range (1 to 3 yards) emphasizing weapon retention, out to 25 yards emphasizing precision marksmanship.
• Time Limits: All strings of fire are timed, forcing the officer to balance speed with accuracy.
• Target Zones: Hits are scored based on striking vital zones on a standard silhouette target (e.g., the center mass of the chest or the ocular window of the head).

Low-Light Course of Fire

Because the majority of lethal encounters occur at night or in poorly lit environments, officers must also pass a low-light qualification. This course tests the officer's ability to operate the weapon and identify targets using ambient light, handheld flashlights, and weapon-mounted lights. It focuses heavily on the mechanics of reloading and clearing malfunctions without visual cues.

Shoot / Don't Shoot Scenario Decision-Making

Marksmanship training is conducted on static paper targets, but real-world lethal force encounters involve dynamic, rapidly evolving human behavior. "Shoot/Don't Shoot" training utilizes interactive simulators and force-on-force training with marking cartridges to evaluate decision-making.

Target Identification

Before employing deadly force, an officer must positively identify the threat. The presence of a firearm in a suspect's hand does not automatically justify lethal force; the suspect must possess the intent, capability, and opportunity to cause death or great bodily harm. An officer must quickly distinguish between a suspect pointing a weapon and a plainclothes officer or armed citizen defending themselves.

Backdrop Evaluation (Rule 4 in Action)

Even if deadly force is entirely justified, an officer must evaluate the backdrop. Firing at a suspect standing in front of a crowd, a school bus, or a thin residential wall presents an unacceptable risk to innocent life. In such cases, the officer must move to establish a clear angle of fire, transition to a less-lethal option, or reposition to cover.

Action vs. Reaction

A critical principle in deadly force encounters is that "action is faster than reaction." If a suspect already has a gun pointed at an officer, the officer's attempt to draw and fire will almost always be slower than the suspect simply pulling the trigger. Therefore, officers are trained to use movement, cover, and verbal commands to change the dynamic rather than relying solely on a quick draw.

Post-Shooting Protocols

The immediate aftermath of an officer-involved shooting (OIS) is chaotic. Officers must adhere to strict protocols to secure the scene, preserve life, and ensure a transparent investigation.

1. Secure the Threat and the Scene

Once the suspect is neutralized and no longer presents a threat, the officer must ensure the scene is safe. This includes handcuffing the suspect, as a wounded suspect can still be highly dangerous, and securing the suspect's weapon.

2. Provide Medical Aid

As soon as the scene is secure, officers have a legal and ethical obligation to request Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and render first aid to the suspect and any injured bystanders. Failing to provide reasonable medical care after using force can result in civil rights violations.

3. Communicate with Dispatch

The officer must immediately broadcast critical information:

• Shots fired
• Officer status (injured or uninjured)
• Suspect status
• Location and need for backup/EMS
• Perimeter requirements

4. Preserve Evidence

The officer must not alter the scene. Spent shell casings, dropped weapons, and blood spatter are critical evidence. The officer's own weapon should be holstered and not tampered with, cleaned, or unloaded until explicitly instructed by investigators.

5. Public Safety Statement

While officers are typically afforded a period of rest and legal counsel before giving a full formal statement, supervisors will demand a "Public Safety Statement" immediately. This limited, compelled statement covers critical, time-sensitive information: the direction rounds were fired, the location of outstanding suspects, and the location of any unsecured weapons.

The psychological impact of an OIS is profound. Officers are generally placed on administrative leave while the incident is investigated, providing time for psychological debriefing and ensuring the transparency of the investigative process.