Range

Range instruction is a vital part of continuous training for Forest Park Police officers. Not only do the range officers train thirty nine full- time officers, they also train part-time and auxiliary officers. This comes to almost seventy officers. Officers have been allowed to carry a wider range of weapons, which was once limited to only 9mm weapons. Calibers have been expanded to include 40 cal, 45 cal, shotgun and long guns like M-4’s and M-14’s that are high powered. It might seem like overkill, but unfortunately bad guys these days have out fire-powered the usual police arsenal, not unlike what happened in the North Hollywood California shootout in 1997. Although both perpetrators were killed in this bank robbery gone bad, twelve police officers and seven civilians were shot, and numerous vehicles and other property were damaged or destroyed by the nearly 2,000 rounds of ammunition fired by the perpetrators and the police. Properly trained patrol officers carrying long guns will be able to professionally address these incidents and hold their own until the Special Response Team is able to deploy.

Officers are required to qualify once a year to fulfill the Illinois State Police Standards, but officers are also trained in defensive tactics, weapons retention and use-of-cover techniques that ensure that our officer will go home to their families after their tour of duty.