Training Command - Queensland Police Service - Queensland ...

A recruit speaks into his radio,
articulating his decision to draw a
firearm in one of the Firearms and
Officer Safety Training scenarios.
Photos by Sergeant Clint Hanson, Police Photographic Section
“It is a real balance of theory, law and practical instruction, so
they’re getting both the lectures, instructor demonstrations
and then the chance to demonstrate it, all of which builds
confidence,” she said.
As most recruits who attend the academy have not handled
or even seen a firearm, Acting Sergeant Henriksen said there
were mixed reactions from recruits while attending FOST.
Acting Sergeant Rozie Henriksen combines theory with practical instruction
to instill confidence in a police recruit potentially facing a critical incident.
“Pretty much any member of the public you can think of will
come through the academy as a recruit and most of them
have never had any experience with firearms whatsoever.
That’s why we offer them very close, one-on-one coaching to
get them through.
“We build up their skills and their confidence and by
the end of the two weeks they’re drawing their firearms
and demonstrating a skill level that is proficient and well
calculated.”
Acting Sergeant Henriksen said it was mandatory for police recruits
to pass all aspects of the course in order to graduate.
“They have to be able to demonstrate skill, and they need to be able
to articulate policy and procedure—then they need to be able to say
why they drew their firearm and explain their risk assessment.
“The most important role at FOST is teaching recruits the thought
process that justifies their decision to draw a firearm. There needs to
be a serious and imminent threat of death or greater bodily harm to
use that use of force option,” she said.
By Chrissie McLeod,
Media and Public Affairs Officer
Glock training pistols
These exceptional training aids are used to practice weapon
handling drills including immediate and stoppage drills, holster
drawing, trigger prepping, and striping, as well as during training
scenarios.
The non-lethal marking cartridges use a detergent based, water
soluble colour marking compound to represent visible impacts on a
target to allow accurate assessment during simulated scenarios.
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