In an effort to ensure the residents of Gloucester that we are mindful of the impact our training may have on our community, we have put together some frequently asked questions as it relates to our firing range.
Thank you,
Edward G. Conley
Chief of Police
What is the primary purpose of the West Gloucester Firing Range?
The State of Massachusetts, through the Massachusetts Police Training Council (MPTC), sets minimum firearms standards required of all sworn municipal, University of Massachusetts, and environmental police officers in the Commonwealth, whether fulltime, reserve, or intermittent. The MPTC mandates that each officer is to complete two (2) live fire firearms training session within a 12-month period.
When will the range be utilized for live fire training?
The Gloucester Police Department will utilize the range for live fire training in accordance with the City of Gloucester Code of Ordinances.
Currently, Sec. 21-87 states:
The range shall be open from May 1 to November 1. Biannual state mandated training shall take place during the first 15 days of May and the first 15 days of October. The range shall be available for use under the terms of paragraph (b) every Wednesday from May 1 to November 1. The hours of live fire at the range shall be limited to 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. except for specific low light training which will be conducted no later than 10:00 p.m. on those specific days.
It takes approximately 10 days to qualify all sworn officers of the Gloucester Police Department. We do not conduct live fire training during the weekends. We schedule this training in blocks during the first 15 days of May and the first 15 days of October.
If you plan to conduct live fire training during the first 15 days of May and October, why are Wednesdays from May to November also included in the ordinance?
Often, we are unable to qualify all members of the department due to sickness, injury, FMLA and other unforeseen reasons. We are also required to provide initial firearms training to all part-time reserve police officers. These reserve officers join our ranks at different, and unpredictable, times of the year. Additionally, our firearms instructors are required to recertify each year and may need an additional range day to prepare for recertification. Wednesdays simply provide GPD firearms trainers the flexibility to plan for unforeseen events and other unanticipated training needs.
How will the Gloucester Police Department notify the public that the range will be utilized?
The Gloucester Police Department plans to utilize the range on the first 15 days of May and the first 15 days of October, excluding weekends, annually. Residents should assume there will be active live fire training each year during those periods. GPD will also post on social media (Facebook) when we are utilizing the range. Every effort will be made to post at least 48 hours before training begins.
What has been done to mitigate the noise created by discharging live ammunition?
Sound measurements conducted by the Gloucester Building Commissioner on October 14, 2020, indicated that the noise created by our live fire training reached the following levels:
On October 14, 2020 the following readings were taken at two different locations. The first gate at the end of Forrest Lane and on Lincoln Street approximately 500 feet beyond the pump station. The weather was sunny and 64 degrees with a light breeze.
Ambient noise level 39 db average; with breeze blowing 42 db average.
1st test site – Forrest Lane first gate
- 1st round of gun fire 42-46 db 48 db high
- 2nd round of gun fire 47-49 db 50 db high
- 3rd round of gun fire 47-50 db 52 db high
2nd test site – Lincoln Street
- Ambient noise level 44 db average
- Traffic from Essex Avenue 48 db average
- Traffic on Lincoln Street 59 to 68 db as car drove by
We will continue to periodically monitor noise levels.
Besides the Gloucester Police Department, who else will be utilizing the firing range?
Only those authorized by City Ordinance shall be allowed to utilize the firing range. That includes; active and retired members of the Gloucester Police Department to include any joint trainings with other city agencies and the Gloucester Police, any joint trainings involving the Gloucester Police and other law enforcement agencies […]
Why does the ordinance reference joint training with outside agencies?
From time to time, police departments may receive specialized firearms training from private instructors or other law enforcement agencies (e.g. ATF, State Police, MPTC). Moreover, our firearms instructors are required to recertify each year under the supervision of the MPTC. There are no plans for joint training however there could be in the future.
Can the Gloucester Police Department live fire training be conducted somewhere else?
Yes, there are other locations within the Commonwealth where police departments can schedule range time. The most used location is the former Fort Devens in Ayer, Massachusetts. However, due to provisions in collective bargaining agreements (contracts), there are significant overtime and travel expense costs associated with training outside of Gloucester. I have estimated this cost to be an additional $47,626 for FY21 if we chose to train at Fort Devens. Fact is, Gloucester’s at the end of the line, and there will be additional overtime and travel costs wherever live fire training is offered.
Why does the Gloucester Police Department need to utilize the West Gloucester Firing Range after it has not been used for several years?
Two reasons: 1) Gloucester has relied on the good will of the Gloucester Sportsman’s Club to conduct our training. This was never meant to be a long-term solution and our training has a direct impact on the range availability for their membership. 2) The MPTC only recently increased the minimum required training from once a year to twice a year. This increased requirement makes utilizing the Sportsman’s Club less sustainable and simply unfair to their members.
What safety precautions are in place at the firing range?
We have a cadre of six (6) certified experienced firearms instructors who are also trained to manage a live fire range. Range cadre arrive before training begins and post signage and barriers around access points. Permanent signage has been requested and locations for postings are being evaluated.
All police officers have received extensive training in both firearms and range safety. Officers are firing straight ahead at a target, at close range <25 meters, and under the direct supervision of firearms instructors. Officers simply fire, while standing in line with each other, directly toward a target with a dirt berm backdrop. When an officer pulls the trigger, they are sighting a specific target.
How many rounds are fired during the training?
We budget for 250 rounds per officer twice a year (500 rounds). However, some officers may require remedial or specialized training which would increase this number annually.
Will you be detonating explosive devices during training?
No. We fire 40, 45, .223 caliber and 12-gauge only.
Doesn’t the police station have a shooting range?
The police station was originally designed with an indoor shooting range. The building is over 40 years old and the indoor range has not been updated. Many new regulations have been established in those 40 years requiring, at a minimum, newer ventilation and sound suppression systems. It is currently unsafe to utilize the indoor range. The renovations required would be both costly and take years to complete.
Are you looking for alternatives to shooting outdoors?
Yes, we continue to investigate best practices when it comes to implementing our annual training. Currently, our firearms staff is evaluating the use of mobile indoor shooting ranges that are commercially available. The estimated cost of a mobile range is between $175,000 to $250,000. Due to Covid-19, many of these ranges are on significant backorder.
Can the police department utilize a laser-based training system (e.g. Milo Systems, Laser Shot)?
Laser-based shooting simulators deliver tremendous training value particularly regarding split-second use of force decision making. These reusable, customized systems can provide police departments increased return on training investment for years. However, they are not a replacement for actual live fire marksmanship and training. Moreover, the State of Massachusetts does not allow simulators to supplant the live fire training requirement.
Do you use lead bullets?
Many forms of ammunition contain a lead core. GPD prioritizes the use of lead-free bullets for all types of target-based training. The State of California provides a list of certified nonlead ammunition. https://wildlife.ca.gov/Hunting/Nonlead-Ammunition/Certified
The one caveat, according to our suppliers, 2020-2021 has seen a historic public demand for all types of ammunition. If nonlead ammunition is either unavailable or the cost is outside the limits our budget, we will need to seek alternatives to meet our training mandate.