Hyderabad: Telangana state police personnel generally attend arms training once a year as per the rule. In the Annual Classification Firing Drill conducted every year, officials are trained in firing techniques. Apart from this, cops go on refreshment courses in state police academies for short durations.
After the Suryapet shootout, the district police had started more frequent initiatives to improve the firing skills of its personnel, officials said. Senior officials claim that all cops are well trained in shooting at non-fatal areas of an offender. However, when the target keeps moving, sometimes it becomes fatal.
“Arms training is an important part of the basic training before a cop’s appointment. Officers also receive firearms training in various other courses they attend at different times each year,” said IG, training, TS police.
This year, the state police had increased weapon training for officials. Special inspection teams were formed by each district SP to carry out periodical checks on weapons used by the police officers. If an officer does not maintaining his weapon properly, he is to be given a memo by the SP.
Officials in the Armed Reserve meanwhile have to undergo two days’ outdoor training every week. Intense training sessions are carried out for the officials, who use small weapons like pistols, officials said.
