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Police departments put money on firing ranges
(by Sue Reid - October 08, 2008)
Police departments put money on firing ranges
By SUE REID
Continual training in the use of firearms ranks among the highest priorities for their departments, according to area police chiefs. Officers regularly practice at a number of firing ranges, both indoor and out.
"Firearms are the tool of our trade," Chagrin Falls Police Chief James Brosius said. "It's a deadly weapon, and officers have to be proficient in the use of them."
Chagrin contracts with the Bainbridge and Bedford Heights police departments for use of their firing ranges. Although state requirements dictate that officers requalify once every 12 months, Chagrin officers schedule range time quarterly, Mr. Brosius said. A range day costs the department about $300, he said. "It's pay as you go. We pay them by the hour." Costs range from $35 to $50 an hour.
For the Bainbridge department, Chief James Jimison said, having a range on site results in cost savings to the township. "There's an added benefit to it," he said.
Mr. Jimison said that a projection done on the five-bay shooting range, which cost $250,000 nearly five years ago when it was installed in the new $4.3 million police station, should pay for itself in 17 years.
"There's only so many issues that a police department can get involved in that could almost bankrupt a city if something went bad," Mr. Jimison said, including high-speed chases and use of deadly force. "Use of deadly force relates back to training firearms. By having well-trained officers who are competent with the most important piece of equipment they carry, we are diminishing the liability of Bainbridge. It's very important from that aspect."
In addition to Chagrin Falls, the Bainbridge range is used by the Chester, South Russell and Aurora police departments. "They use it as often as needed," Mr. Jimison said.
Bainbridge has three range officers, one of whom is required to be on site during all training. Range officers are required to attend specific schools and get recertified as needed. They have to maintain their certification in order to requalify the officers.
The Moreland Hills Police Department also has an indoor range, as does the Hunting Valley department.
Moreland Hills Police Chief Thomas J. Flauto said his department's three-stall range is pretty much in operation at least on a monthly basis. "We have our officers down there training, as well as allow other departments to use our facility," he said. They include the Pepper Pike, Orange and Woodmere departments, and Bentleyville has requested its use as well.
The Moreland Hills range went into operation in 2003 and cost approximately $200,000.
"Our range meets and exceeds state requirements," Executive Lt. Kevin Wyant said.
Mr. Flauto said an added benefit of the range is its air-circulation system. "Many years ago, police departments had had problems with lead in the air," he said. "With this range, it's not a problem at all."
"It's a very safe way to shoot," Mr. Jimison said. "People aren't inhaling any of the gunpowder when the bullets discharge. They aren't getting that product in their lungs."
In the indoor range, any type of firearm can be used, he said. The Bainbridge range is rated for the use of up to a 50-caliber machine gun, he said. "No one carries those, but who knows what weapons will be carried 10 years from now?" In the range, bullets go into traps that are like a cushion of chopped-up tires, Mr. Jimison said.
He said there are outdoor ranges. "An outdoor range is limited by not having the flexibility of weather," Mr. Jimison said.
"The indoor range gives you so much flexibility," Hunting Valley Police Chief David Maine said. "I think there's a real benefit."
He said his department has an "unofficial goal" of getting officers in the range once a month for handgun and shotgun training. "A lot of departments don't have that flexibility," Mr. Maine said, "but, since we do, we try to take advantage of it. We don't always make that goal, but we're pretty close."
Hunting Valley's four-stall range, located in the basement of Village Hall, was activated in 2003. Its final price tag ranged between $400,000 and $500,000. "When it was built, it was considered state of the art," Mr. Maine said.
Hunting Valley contracts with the Village of Gates Mills and Highland Heights for use of the range. "They have access to our range and help share in ongoing maintenance costs," he said.
Mr. Maine said he believes the range provides a safer way for officers to train. "We have a tremendous ventilation system built into this range," he said.
Police chiefs said the use of firearms ranks at the highest level of the force continuum.
"It is the last resort," Mr. Brosius said. The use-of-force continuum teaches officers include vocal, physical and the use of non-lethal force, he said. "The officers have a myriad of weapons to use that are non-lethal," including Taser guns, pepper spray and the expandable police baton.
"I think it's so important that officers are proficient in the most serious area of using deadly force," Mr. Jimison said. "That is No. 1 on the list. It's the most serious situation an officer can be in."
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