16-04 - Running and Gunning
There have been recent incidents where personnel were running while shooting at a fleeing/armed suspect, informally known as “Running and Gunning.” This manner of shooting is the act of running or moving swiftly over distances greater than what is tactically prudent while discharging a firearm with disregard for marksmanship fundamentals. This is an extremely poor tactic and is inherently dangerous. The act of moving, even at a slow steady walk, can degrade accuracy tremendously. That said, movement may be necessary while engaged in a close quarter battle. It may be prudent to move laterally or to retreat to cover while engaging an armed assailant.
Rounds that are discharged while moving with speed in any direction are inaccurate at best. While we move, our ability to track the front sight becomes complicated by the mechanics of a body in motion. Every step taken causes movement through the body, causing the sight alignment and sight picture to become distorted. Our grip tends to lessen as our body moves. Our smooth trigger pull becomes a trigger jerk. The moving body causes instability that may significantly degrade our ability to effectively apply the mechanics needed for increased accuracy.
Our profession requires law enforcement officers to have an enhanced marksmanship skillset. Our accuracy is paramount. Department personnel must understand that we cannot afford to send errant rounds into densely populated communities. We must have reverence for human life and are held accountable for every round fired when making the decision to employ deadly force. When the decision to use deadly force has been made, do all you can to shoot from a stable platform, move when tactically sound to a position of advantage, reacquire a stable shooting platform, and reengage your target.
This Newsletter was created with the assistance of the Tactics and Survival Unit (TAS).
Information regarding the content of this newsletter may be directed to Field Operations Support Services at (323) 890-5411.
References
Manual of Policies and Procedures
3-10/200.00, Use of Firearms and Deadly Force
3-10/150.00, Tactical Incidents