Marksmanship accuracy and precision after tactical exercises among special weapons and tactics (SWAT) team operators

Law enforcement is one of the most stressful occupations and investigations have demonstrated law enforcement officers (LEOs) have greater CVD-related morbidity and mortality than the general population. LEOs are chronically exposed to events including physical dangers and psychological stress. Every day, LEOs utilize their training to save lives and keep themselves and their communities safe, however, Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) teams have duties that are beyond the scope of normal law enforcement personnel. Part of this training includes the use of firearms to prepare officers to protect themselves and others in highly dangerous situations. Engaging in these dangerous situations can often cause high levels of stress and decrease shooting accuracy and precision. PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of consecutive tactical task exercises on accuracy and precision of pistol shooting in SWAT team operators. METHODS: Thirty-two active SWAT team members (age = 38.04 ± 1.29 y.; experience on SWAT = 7.33 ± 1.04 y.), were recruited from a local police department. SWAT members performed 3 tactical exercises using their service weapon. Participants completed a 73.31-m sprint entry into the range, performed a 13.71 m dummy drag (79.73 kg), and a 13.71 m battering-ram carry (17.5 kg). After each tactical exercise, participants discharged 5-rounds of ammunition into separate paper targets located 13.71 meter from the firing line while wearing full tactical vest and situated behind a tactical barrier. Participants completed psychometric questions and provided saliva samples prior to and after completing the testing protocol. RESULTS: SWAT team members completed the tactical exercise protocol in 77.31 ± 3.22 sec. RMANOVAs demonstrated significant differences in marksmanship accuracy between shooting conditions for: distance from the target center-of-mass (DCMSG; F3,93 = 4.78, p < .01), distance from center of mass shot average (DCMS; F3,93 = 4.29, p < 0.001). RMANOVAs demonstrated significant differences in marksmanship precision between shooting conditions for: radius of the shot grouping (MRS; F3,93 = 4.29, p < 0.001), horizontal range (HR; F3,93 = 4.16, p < 0.05), vertical range (VR; F3,93 = 3.15, p < 0.05), area of the dispersion of shots (AD; F3,93 = 6.35, p < 0.01), and the diagonal of dispersion (DD; F3,93 = 6.18, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Accuracy and precision decreased from static baseline shooting as a result of physical exertion. Fatigue and stress may contribute to the differences seen between static baseline marksmanship and posttactical exercise marksmanship with greater differences seen in tactical tasks that require upper body involvement.