AT HOME ON THE RANGE

Ledger photo\ / TIM GULLA Gaffney Police Department Capt. Rick Turner (left), the lead firearms instructor for the department, closely follows Capt. of Detectives Chris Skinner with a timing device as Skinner makes his way through the department's tactical pistol stress course Monday. Gaffney Police Department Reserve Officer Lee Spencer was sitting in a patrol car Monday when a distinctive noise commanded his attention and he immediately sprang into action.

As he unholstered his sidearm, he ran to a nearby rain barrel for cover, stopped, took careful aim, and unleashed two rounds in quick succession. He then ran to take cover behind a wall, firing four more rapid fire shots at two targets and hitting each target twice.

And before he was done, he had emptied two magazine clips from his handgun and was reaching for a third.

Each year, Gaffney Police Department officers have to qualify with their weapons, demonstrating their proficiency, accuracy and decision-making under stressful conditions. It was the job of Capt. Rick Turner, the department's lead firearms instructor, and Det. Sgt. Mike Segina, a crime scene specialist and training officer, to provide those stressful conditions.

Reserve Officer Lee Spencer (left) and Det. Sgt. Mike Segina review target scoring on the shooting range prior to Spencer's qualifying run. Both officers closely followed each member of the department as they took the test Monday on a course set up at the Gaffney Board of Public Works rifle range on Highway 329. Officially dubbed a "tactical pistol stress course," Turner said the course is designed to test both accuracy and speed.

"A lot of departments only hang a (stationary) target up," Turner said. The course Turner and Segina designed had two moving targets in addition to about 18 stationary targets.

"We want to give the officers something more realistic, incorporating moving targets and obstacles for them to negotiate through," said Turner, a certified firearms instructor who has been teaching firearms handling for the past 23 years. "In the real world, if someone's shooting at you, they're not going to stand in place."

To qualify, Gaffney's officers had to complete the course in under 130 seconds with an accuracy rate of at least 74 percent. Some members of the department, who compete in police competitions, were able to race through the course in the 50-second range.

All officers who carry weapons, including reserve officers like Spencer, have to go through the annual test, which also serves as a valuable training opportunity. Officers get tips, or reminders, about things like proper stance and breathing techniques, for instance.

Turner said the department tries to conduct firearms training at least twice a year. He said officers are also encouraged to practice on their own.

"A box of bullets costs the same as a hamburger meal at a fast food restaurant," Turner said he tells the officers about the cost of practicing. In terms of value, however, he said, "One day your weapon may be the determining factor in whether you get to go home to your family or not."

All reserve and sworn officers have to go through the annual tests. Upper ranks are included, too, as all captains and Chief John O'Donald are required to take the test as well.