How would I go about getting a Range Master POST cert?

[stilly]

I live in the IE and I called Ben Clark Training Center and they did not want to allow me to enroll in a class for a POST Range Master cert. It is about a week long and a few hours a day I think. They said that I was not a Peace Officer at the time so I had to go elsewhere.

Are there any other places that are close or not too far (within 50 miles or so preferrably) that I can go to get this POST cert as a civilian?

[P5Ret]

Why would you want it? Most departments do their basic firearms training/quals in house, it is cheaper than hiring someone from outside. I don't think there is a specific "Range Master" course. When I took it it was firearms instructor and it was 2 weeks long. The updates and some specialized course beyond that were anywhere from 3 days to a week long. I don't think you will find anywhere that will allow you to take the course, not that there is anything confidential it is probably more a matter of liability should someone get hurt. You'd be better off taking the NRA classes, and I think they are less expensive also.

[gschoelles]

They want POST "Certificated" to Teach/Supervise POST "Certificated" personnel which seems pretty reasonable to me.

Else, GET you NRA credentials which are G2G everywhere else...

[mixicus]

The CA POST range master/firearms instructor courses (typically 40 or 80 hours) are usually restricted. You don't have to be a sworn officer but you do need a department's backing. I don't know of any POST instructor courses that a non-affiliated person (academy or department employee) can take. The NRA LEAD (law enforcement activities division), FLETC, and FBI instructor courses are similarly restricted.

I do know of some range masters at civilian ranges used by departments for training that have been through POST or other LE instructor courses. But again those people are 'affiliated' with a dept and had the dept vouch for them.

[Tallship]

What mixicus said. I teach at our Firearms Instructor course, and we do have civilians go through the course, but generally they are volunteers with a department.

[Milspec714]

that is a tough one... But Mix is pretty much on the dot...

[solanoshooter]

There is not a POST Range Master class. There used to be a Range Officer class but I don't think anyone is still teaching it.

The basic Firearms Instructor class is between 40-80 hours depending on who you take it through. When I went through the 80 Sac County class about 4 years ago there were a few non-sworn in the class but they all had a good reason for being there. A couple were affiliated with a security guard training center, don't remember why the other guys were there.



Current post classes and presenters.

http://catalog.post.ca.gov/

[stilly]

The POST class is actually called Firearms Instructor IIRC.

That is my problem. I have been shut out from one or two and the two e-mails I sent out got me no replies so I will be calling next week maybe. Corona wanted this for their range and I figured that since it paid OKAY (hey it is a job!) and I am a gun guy with a decent track record that maybe they would hire me and then get me into the class. I have several certs under my belt already so this one should be no problems. I was hoping to already have it before I submitted my info but I guess that did not happen. I might be able to get in with SBDoo but I have to call them. My ACO contact told me to give them a call because they let anyone take the classes there. LoL. I do not know if the NRA cert is valid since the city asked for POST specifically.

Alrighty then, so it looks like they might be able to get me into a class.

I did notic that SOME places had a 40 hour and some had an 80 hour. If it is the same class why are they different? Is it like chp academy vs normal police academy?

[deadcoyote]

I've been through the POST firearms instructor course and a couple re-certs with American River College in Sacramento. we had non-sworn guys in every class I've taken so far. Most were gun range employees and one was a guy who just runs a private shooting instructor business.

[cowboykenny]

I don't want any non law enforcement (sworn) people teaching any of our officers.

[sleeper2020]

cowboy thats a pretty negative view. There are plenty of people that have more experience with firearms and shoot no shoot scenarios then some peace officers, and they have never been a peace officer. just saying broaden your mind a bit and dont lose out on someone elses knowledge and skill just because you have some preconceived notions.

noticed i said some peace officers so dont get your knickers in a twist. plus remember this guy was a sworn peace officer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeGD7r6s-zU

[cowboykenny]

Sorry, you feel that way, But there is a lot more that goes with it than shoot no shoot. It takes someone who understands the LE job and the duties involved, to go with it.

[solanoshooter]

plus remember this guy was a sworn peace officer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeGD7r6s-zU

While I understand your point, Federal Agents are not sworn peace officers in California.

[vintagearms]

Most PD's have their own designated Range Master/Firearms Instructor and armorers. Its just easier sometimes to have everything in-house. Been there. Done that.

[sleeper2020]

Sorry, you feel that way, But there is a lot more that goes with it than shoot no shoot. It takes someone who understands the LE job and the duties involved, to go with it.

If we were talking about how to conduct a traffic stop, DV interview, or the force continuem I would agree with you. But we are not talking about that portion of the job, or at least I am not. I am talking about a non-sworn person teaching basic marksmenship, fireing from cover and concealment, selection of appropriate cover, fireing while on the move, weapons retention, combat weapons courses that require mag changes and round counts. Once proper marksmenship is handled and an individual can handle thier weapon under stress then your LE sworn officer takes what the student has learned and covers the LE aspects of it. There is no reason why a Marksmenship instructor HAS to be a sworn position. There is a reason that alot of firearms instructors are prior military. Just saying....