Firearms Training Facility

The Mesa Police Department Firearms Training staff consists of one sergeant and five officers who are responsible for all the weapons inspections, maintenance, and firearms training for approximately 900 police department employees. The Firearms Training facility has been in operation since 1962 and is located on approximately 18 acres in north central Mesa. The facility has an automated 25-station qualification range, a “live fire” training house, a practice range, 200-meter rifle range, and training areas for the SWAT and K9 teams. The facility also has a classroom, well-equipped armory and a state-of-the-art simulated firearms training system. Some of the Firearms Training accomplishments in 2005 include:

• Conducted four shoots for all in-service departmental officers; two of the shoots were skills development courses and the other two were AZPOST mandatory qualification courses for all primary, secondary and off-duty weapons
• Provided firearms safety and proficiency training for the first group of civilian transport officers for the detention facility
• Completed quarterly Colt AR-15 training and qualification classes and purchased 22 additional AR-15s to be put into service in 2006
• Completed two basic training academy firearms programs, teaching 53 new recruits weapons safety, handling, and shooting skills
• Received, inspected, and issued 1000 new primary pistols to members of the department
  
• Inspected all specialty, secondary and off-duty weapons and refurbished several old shotguns and returned them to service to be used for “less lethal” purposes

Improvements to the Range in 2005 included acquiring a new computerized firearms training system, a security gate and fencing, and purchasing an additional turning target system. Other improvements are planned for 2006.