Dallas Co. deputies undergo state mandated firearms training

From the West Alabama Newsroom…

Dallas County deputies are out at the firing range this week — participating in state mandated firearms training.

The state of Alabama requires all law enforcement in the state — to requalify with their weapons each year.

Officers must pass the training in order to remain certified to carry a firearm. The training ensures that the officer remains familiar with his firearm — and knows how to use it properly.

It’s important for the safety of the officer — as well as the general public.

“We’re responsible for every round that comes out of our firearm. So, we gotta ensure that what we’re shooting is what we hit. You don’t want to be shooting just anywhere and an innocent bystander gets hit,” said firearm instructor Sgt. Scott Haskell.

“So, the whole purpose of getting qualified and learning that you know how to use your firearm is so we can go out there, and if we have to defend ourselves against the bad person that we can.”

Any law enforcement officer who fails to requalify — could have their certification with the Alabama Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission — revoked.