ed,
The local police force used to qualify at the same club where I shot on a center fire handgun target league. They have their own, private, outdoor range now, a good thing, as there are no limits on when they can use it.
It is also a good thing that it is private, as the public would be stunned to learn just how many of those on the force are really lousy shooters. Not all, but, a surprising number of the people in law enforcement consider the gun a nuisance they have to deal with, and clearly don't enjoy shooting and/or qualifying.
I expect the great majority of those full auto weapons in the hands of enforcement haven't even had a good cleaning in the last year, much less any serious use. They probably shouldn't have them, but, to keep an operator sharp with one takes time and money, both of which are in short supply in almost every police department in this country.
Best,
Ted
To add to this:
I concur with your opinion about their shooting ability based upon my time as a RSO. I had a female on the range at one time whose stance was so bad I went over and tried to give her some corrective pointers. She informed me she was a police officer from Colorado and didn't neeed any advice. Some of the worse shots I ever saw there were police officers.
In order to qualify for holster draw on the range everyone including law enforcement had to pass a basic test. You should have heard the grumbling from the police officers and FBI agents who had to take this test. Guess what? Some of them didn't pass it the first time.
Jim
