The concept of a unified method of fire training of employees of internal affairs bodies

Vorozhtsov Aleksandr Mikhailovich ORCID: 0000-0002-4316-8386 PhD in Sociology Associate Professor, Deputy Head of the Department of Fire Training, East Siberian Institute of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia 664017, Russia, Irkutsk region, Irkutsk, Goncharova str., 30 vam1976@rambler.ru Other publications by this author

Zhukov Viktor Mikhailovich Associate Professor, Department of Firearms Training of Omsk Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia 644092, Russia, Omsk region, Omsk, Komarova str., 7, 1 vizhu100872@gmail.com Other publications by this author

The analysis of the normative and methodological literature of the internal affairs bodies carried out by the authors (hereinafter – ATS) of some countries belonging to the Commonwealth of Independent States (Kyrgyzstan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and the Russian Federation) (hereinafter – the CIS) ^{[1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8]} it allowed us to identify a number of similarities and differences in the methods of training fire training of employees. The revealed differences are also related to their regional peculiarities, in which weapons are used, and cultural differences peculiar to different peoples. The revealed similarities were collected into one list to create a unified methodology for training the police officers of our countries to use weapons.

The creation of a unified method of fire training in the CIS countries is an urgent task aimed at creating a single approach to the formation of skills and abilities of police officers on a large territory of the Commonwealth. The resulting method of fire training will be applied to the entire territory of the CIS countries and must coincide with the present conditions of its application and the existing international situation.

At the moment , the normative literature on fire training in the Russian Federation identifies the following tasks of the discipline:

1. Acquisition by employees of the Department of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation of knowledge of the material part of firearms and ammunition (cartridges, fuses, shots, grenades, including hand fragmentation grenades), their tactical and technical characteristics, safety measures when handling weapons and ammunition.

2. Formation of the necessary skills and abilities of employees for the lawful use of weapons and ammunition; firing in various situations; rapid target detection and determination of initial installations for shooting and grenade throwing; skillful and effective actions with weapons and ammunition during shooting and grenade throwing ^[1].

However, there is no orderly teaching methodology aimed at solving these problems. The process of studying fire training is at the discretion of teachers and instructors who conduct classes based on their knowledge and experience.

The following methods are used during the classes:

1. Visual: viewing algorithms, instructions, posters, demonstration of educational films;

2. Verbal: lecture, story, conversation, instruction;

3. Practical: performing exercises and standards, tactical tasks.

According to the Instruction, police officers are trained in slow and high-speed shooting from the spot and after moving in the conditions of a shooting range, a shooting range (shooting range). At the same time, there is no single project of these facilities and a list of necessary equipment and simulators for training. In the classroom, the change of the magazine, the adoption of various shooting positions, the execution of shooting from behind cover, the elimination of delays in shooting and other necessary initial shooting skills are practiced. Further, depending on the category of students, enhanced training is assumed, which provides for more complex exercises of shooting from a pistol and from a machine gun in different settings, or the improvement of previously acquired skills is carried out. However, modern requirements for ATS employees imply other skills and skills that are not yet taught in the classroom, so further improvement is required.

The analysis and comparison of regulatory documents allows us to identify certain similarities and differences in the training of employees of the Department of Internal Affairs of the CIS countries. The identified similarities are based on the fact that all our countries were formerly part of the USSR and had the same training system. Currently, each country of the commonwealth goes its own way and introduces its own individual characteristics into the system of training of police officers. All our countries are united by the need of law enforcement agencies for well-trained officers for the use of weapons. The learning process in all the countries under consideration is reduced to the consistent performance of shooting exercises provided for by regulatory documents, according to the principle from simple to complex.

The data obtained, which we systematized, allowed us to identify the following proposals for the methods of fire training of employees of our countries:

1)      The studied shooting exercises can be performed from various positions (standing, kneeling, lying down).

2)      In the exercises performed, it is possible to use a variety of targets that complicate or facilitate the exercise at all stages of preparation.

3)      In order to continuously improve the training methodology, provide for the mandatory use of statistical data on the use of weapons by employees to update shooting exercises.

4)      Performing shooting exercises can be supplemented with psychological stress (exposure to stun and psycho-emotional stimuli, compliance with the algorithm of lawful use of weapons, the requirement to minimize damage to the health of the offender, etc.) ^[9].

5)      In the classroom, take more time to study the device of weapons and the ability to handle them.

6)      During shooting classes, it is mandatory to give examples from official activities on the practical use of weapons ^[10].

7) To develop the erudition of employees, provide for the use of at least two different pistols and other weapons, including non-lethal ones.

8) Develop exercises for shooting from a submachine gun or submachine gun, which make it possible to fire single and automatic fire from various positions and from behind cover.

9)      In the exercises, provide for the possibility of shortening or increasing the distance and gradually reducing the time to complete them (depending on the level of preparedness).

10)    Conduct training in shooting from a traumatic pistol and a smoothbore rifle (a barrel-less pistol, KS-23, etc.).

11)    To provide for the implementation of the already studied exercises using personal armor protection equipment and in the form of clothing for outdoor service (winter uniforms).

12) Optimize standards with weapons to meet the requirements of a real service situation. For example, remove the standard for discharging weapons and perform these actions without taking into account time and, on the contrary, add standards for tactical change of the magazine and elimination of delays in firing.

13) Provide training in tactical techniques of safe handling of weapons and firing as part of a group (2-5 people), movement with weapons.

14)    During the training, use electronic technical means and devices, as well as pneumatic, airsoft weapons. Especially at the stage of obtaining initial skills.

15)    To introduce complex exercises, when before or after performing the shooting exercise it is necessary to use combat fighting techniques or physical force, put on handcuffs.

16)    After mastering the shooting exercises, it is recommended to practice them with leaving the firing line and quickly changing the firing position.

17) Include in the exercise the need to eliminate delays in shooting and changing the magazine, while searching and moving for shelter ^{[11, 12, 13, 14, 15]}.

We assume that at the initial stage this list will be enough. In the future, it should be supplemented with other proposals, the formation of which should be based on statistical data on the use of weapons, the requirements of the modern world and periodically reviewed.

In any case, modern training methods should teach guaranteed defeat of the target and the preservation of the life of an ATS officer in any conditions of fire contact.

Based on our proposals, the following unified fire training training methodology is proposed:

1) The initial stage of training. At this stage, the theoretical foundations are being studied, the necessary skills for safe handling of weapons are being formed, and security measures are being studied. The use of preparatory exercises for mastering the basic elements of shooting techniques (taking the preparation, correct aiming, pulling the trigger, etc.). At the same time, it is proposed to use the following suggestions:

p. 1, p. 2, p. 5, p. 6, p. 9, p. 10, p. 12, p. 14.

2) Formation of the technical foundations of classical shooting. There is a formation of motor skills for the production of a targeted shot without time limits. Shooting is carried out at a distance of 15-25 meters. At this stage, there is a final overcoming of the fear of a shot, the feeling of fear of a weapon, the fear of the sound of a shot and other negative emotions. The technique of producing a targeted shot is fixed.

The following sentences are used: p. 1, p. 2, p. 6, p. 7, p. 8, p. 9, p. 10, p. 12, p. 14.

3) Formation of the skill of high-speed aimed shooting at short distances. During this period, training in high-speed actions with weapons and holsters takes place. Firing from various positions, including using shelters at a distance of 5-10 meters, leaving the firing line. The following sentences are used: p. 1, p. 2, p. 3, p. 6, p. 7, p. 8, p. 9, p. 10, p. 11, p. 14, p. 16.

4)      Improving the acquired skills. After mastering and fixing the production of a shot in unlimited time and high-speed shooting, there is an improvement and gradual complication of shooting exercises, including solving problems on the practical use of firearms, special means, and physical strength. Shooting exercises are performed from various hand-held small arms and non-lethal weapons. The following sentences are used in this case:

p. 1, p. 2, p. 4, p. 6, p. 7, p. 8, p. 9, p. 11, p. 12, p. 13, p. 14, p. 15, p. 16, p. 17.

At the final stage of training, it is proposed to focus on the practical orientation of training, using the method of modeling situational tasks, taking as a basis real cases of the use of firearms in the performance of official duties ^[7].

It is impossible to reach a qualitatively new level of training for the employees of the Department of Internal Affairs of the CIS countries without increasing the level of their professional service and physical training. Fire training stands out as one of the most important components of this training, the main purpose of which is to form the readiness of police officers to act with weapons in various situations of official activity and the lawful suppression of illegal actions with the help of the available arsenal of means.

Our analysis of regulatory documents on fire training in the CIS countries shows that it is necessary to conduct an annual analysis of cases of use of weapons by employees of our countries in order to respond to new challenges in a timely manner and form actual shooting exercises, as well as develop typical situations of use of weapons.

The measures proposed in this article will not solve the whole complex of problems that exist today in fire training, however, a system of effective training of law enforcement officers of the CIS countries for fire confrontation with criminals can be built on their basis. Further work in this direction and its regulatory consolidation will contribute to the growth of fire training and the preservation of high professionalism of law enforcement officers of the CIS countries.