Tactical Firearms Engagement System

The Tactical Firearms Engagement System is designed from a purely new approach focusing on tactical human factors. It is also designed to be trained from inside a training facility. Some of the courses high points include:

Tactical Human Factor Capabilities and Limitations: This module discusses the human factor science, which examines the capabilities and limitations of human physiology. The block of instruction discusses perceptual processing, visual processing capabilities between zero and ten feet, and the time needed to process a threat starting from the visual stages, through the Pre-frontal Cortex to the Gross Muscles. This phase of training will address an officer’s draw-stroke’s limitations and capabilities, as well as training personnel to reduce the draw-stroke on an average of Assailant Micro and Macro Cues: This module teaches the psychological and physiology of Assailant Micro & Macro Cues. This module examines the brain’s neurological timelines through the physiological timelines of a draw stroke. This module breaks down assailant draw-strokes of 0.37 seconds and the officer/agent’s draw-stroke. This block advances the students recognition of a threat much earlier than traditional firearms classes, by examining an assailant’s draw-stroke components in quarter second increments.

Evasion Step: Previous research has demonstrated the average officer/agent’s draw stroke is 1.4 seconds (+). Exceptionally fast officer draw-strokes is 0.5 seconds, putting the officer/agent always behind the assailant’s attack. The PPCT / Human Factor Science research team worked with physiologists and chronometer specialist determining the best way to move and evade an assailant’s 0.37 second attack. Through the chronometer technology, our team discovered a step/upper body evasion technique that has a movement time under 0.1 seconds. This technique is taught using the Huddle mobile chrono tech loaded to a cell phone.

Tactical Draw-Stroke: The PPCT tactical draw-stroke has an evolution dating back to 1945. This technique is trained as a serial motor skill that stacks muscle movement. Once trained, most officer/agents can draw and fire their weapon from the holster within 0.5 seconds. Many officer/agents will be able to reduce their draw stroke to 0.45 seconds.

Tactical Target Engagement: For almost 100 years, the U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) has ruled law enforcement personnel are approved to engage threats to stop and control a suspect that is an immediate threat to officers, civilians and others. Subject to these rulings law enforcement agencies have engaged engaging the the center mass of a threat. And while engaging center mass (heart, thoracic) zones are fatal, these engagements are not always quick in controlling/stopping a deadly force threat. In fact, the FBI has stated engaging center mass could takes seconds to over a minute to stop the heart.

In 1998, the PPCT / Human Factor Science team began researching tactical firearms targets that would enhance and stop deadly force threats quickly. This research led to the examination of the pelvic bowl, which has now become a primary target when time and distance are available. Targeting the Pelvic Bowl produces deadly force control almost immediately, as fracturing any portion of the Pelvic Bowl reduces a subjects ability to stand almost immediately. And while engaging the Pelvic Bowl is still considered deadly force, the potential of lethality is also reduced. This target is discussed at the beginning of the week and is the primary target within 10 feet. This strategy is designed to enhance the control of deadly force to near immediate status, which also reduces the lethality of engaging a threat with a firearm. This is not a theory, but a strategy that has been employed and video taped.

Course Method of Instruction: The entire course of instruction is conducted in-doors using simunition weapon. There are no live-fire weapons used in this course.