Improvements will enhance police apprehension skills.
Over the past 19 years, police officers have regularly aimed for bullseyes at the Plant City Police Department’s indoor shooting range.
And the nearly two decades of being targeted by police has caused more than a few surface wounds to the range targets.
To update, repair and modernize the targets at the range, 1400 Cason St., the Plant City Commission voted 5-0 March 25 to authorize City Manager Bill McDaniel to contract to replace the range target system.
The City is seeking to contract with Action Target Inc. of Provo, Utah, to replace the range target system via a State of Utah Cooperative Contract for $102,307.
Since 2005, the range target system has begun to show signs of wear and tear and is at the end of its “useful cycle,” according to the City.
Among the reasons for its replacement, the City cites the current equipment and supporting parts are “outdated and inoperable “and “will not support impending Florida Department of Law Enforcement firearm qualification standards set to go into effect in July 2024.”
Among the components of the new target system will be the latest technology to improve officer efficiency and instructor effectiveness, while providing officers with the “ability to meet new training standards.”
The current indoor range has been extremely useful in training our officers, but it is original to 2004 and needs repair, upgrade and improvement, including target replacement,” said Plant City Police Chief James Bradford.
The installation of the new range targets will begin as soon as the contract with Action Target is signed and materials are available, with a completion date set for September.
The current range consists of four firing lines and targets and a rubber backstop.
Once installed, the new system will also have four shooting lanes, turning targets, sound-absorbing wall panels and a rubber berm backstop. These replacements will improve officer efficiency and instructor efficacy, said Bradford. Additionally, he said the upgrades will allow officers to train without causing excessive noise for nearby residents, allowing officers who work later shifts the chance to train at any time and in any weather conditions.
“Any time we can upgrade any of our facilities that will provide our officers with the opportunity to improve our training for skill building is a success,” he said.
Bradford said having an indoor range gives officers the ability to train in different environments.
Daniel Just, associate range consultant for Action, said the company updates and works on about 100 firing ranges throughout the United States each year. He said Plant City’s firing range is in need of upgrades, with renovations estimated to be done within the year
“I’m hoping the officers will be better trained to go out and serve the community. With the new turning targets, our goal is the officers are better prepared to go out and serve the community,” he said. “The upgrade target system is going to offer the offers the latest technology in training.”
