Police Sharpshooter

A police sharpshooter's paycheck is based on their base position in the police force plus a bonus on how good they are as a sharpshooter. This is a diagram of salaries in Los Angeles California.

Base Salary

Position Lower Upper
Deputy Sheriff $42,461 $61,981
Sergeant $62,904 $78,136
Lieutenant $74,750 $92,863
Captain $92,863 $115,354
Commander $104,772 $130,164
Division Chief $107,301 $160,952
Assistant Sheriff $115,348 $173,024
Undersheriff $124,000 $186,000

Bonuses

Marksman: $52 / year
Sharpshooter $104 / year
Expert $208 / year
Distinguished Expert $416 / year

Prerequisites to be a Sharpshooter

To be a police sharpshooter, you must first join the police force and then be accepted into the S.W.A.T. team in the area You must also have the proper specifications with a police sniper rifle and must have enough hours logged in the shooting range. Every city has it's own requirements.

The police sharpshooter is never alone they work in groups of two. One person observes the target while the other person mans a sniper rifle. The more qualified sharpshooter should be in control but his main goal is to train the less experienced sharpshooter. They switch roles of the spotter and sniper about every two hours so in a long situation they don't tried as quickly. They evaluate each other's skills in the field in the different roles.

Duties and Responsibilities in the Field

  1. Writes down the operation orders.
  2. Obtains and prepares any special gear
  3. Plans with other units.
  4. Observer leads in common movement.
  5. Observer leads in stalking movement, marksman follows in the stalking of target
  6. Marksman follows the observer in common movement.
  7. Shares in the creation of the hiding place.
  8. Both work together to find a hiding place.
  9. Observer draws sketches and sets out range cards.
  10. The spotter finds and declares targets then shares range estimates with marksman
  11. Marksman adjusts the riflescope for the wind, range and angle
  12. Observer identifies targets by importance
  13. Marksman shares range predictions with the observer and estimates the wind speed
  14. Decides engagement importance backs up marksman's shot
  15. Marksman engages human and material objects.
  16. Observer operates a radio
  17. Observer records information
  18. Observer communicates with other teams
  19. Observer operates diversionary tactics
  20. Snipers are a last resort when all other options have been tried.

Equipment

Police snipers have a rifle assigned to them they do not rotate rifles at anytime because each rifle is different and the marksman must get used to one particular rifle in order to do their job properly.

What the Recruiter Looks For

The Candidate must be already exceptional in on of the following skills: Fieldcraft, marksmanship, and tactics.


Marksmanship

The candidate must be at least an expert rifleman. He or she must like shooting in order to become a good sharpshooter. The candidate must have an interest in firearms. They will also have to know many technical things more than the average person. They must be curious about things like ballistics, bullets and optics. If they hunt, it is a good bonus for them to learn the consequences of sluggish reflexes.

 

Fieldcraft



The candidate must know how to estimate wind speeds, how to camouflage themselves in an environment as well as observation. Hunters that target one type of game become excellent snipers. People who use the bow are also good candidates. Sportsman learn how to estimate the weather and see tracks in a natural environment. They learn how to read maps and move without being seen.

Tactics

The candidate must have an appreciation for tactics. They will gain this through study and practice. They go through constant training on survival and how to set up in an environment. They must learn to be almost invisible in their environment.

Marksman Operations

    1. Make an inner perimeter to contain the target keeping the target in one place in key to a successful operation.
    2. Cover the strike teams movement so they are kept reasonably safe
    3. Provide information that will help the strike team in capturing the perpetrator. Keeping casualties of civilians down is essential

Tactical considerations

  1. Equipment: All items for a long exposure should be put in position upon arrival
  2. Radios must have extra batteries.
  3. Use different frequency and call signs for all communication
  4. Night observation devices should have extra batteries
  5. Movement: Cover and concealment: The quickest route is not always the best route. Use terrain and or buildings for protection. Avoid Detection
  6. Suspect vs. sector: both team members must be aware of priorities if the suspect is in their sights
  7. Sniper's responsibility: The sniper will continue target acquisition on the greatest threat
  8. Observer's responsibility: The observer must monitor other suspect(s) or hostage(s), the movement of the strike team and the rest of the area.

Daytime Movement Rules

  1. Movement must be slow and well thought out
  2. The marksman team must not disturb any type of animal
  3. Take advantage of ambient noise
  4. Use roads that provide the most coverage so as not to be seen, try to stay out of the open

Nighttime Movement Rules

  1. Move by high jumping. Stop, listen, then continue moving
  2. Take advantage of surrounding noise
  3. Avoid running
  4. Preserve night vision equipment
  5. Avoid silhouetting
  6. Avoid dry brush and tape loose equiptment