Pistol Instructor Course - Week 1 - Westchester County
Pistol Instructor Course - Westchester County
DCJS is pleased to announce the availability of a ten-day Pistol Instructor Course designed to train all new instructors that have not previously completed an approved MPTC Firearms Instructor course.
The Pistol Instructor Course will be held in Westchester County from February 2-6 and February 16-20, 2026, to further assist academies and agencies and prepare future instructors in delivering the newly revised firearms curriculum. The most significant change in the new instructor course is the revision of instructional objectives to focus on updated methods of instruction, firearms handling, and the integration of evidence-based tactics designed to improve survivability of officers involved in a deadly-force encounter.
Instructional topics include:
- Operational Weapons Safety
- Working in and Around Vehicles
- Incorporating NLTA into Firearms Training
- Data-driven Training Design
- Injured Shooter
- Concepts and Principles of Movement
- Positional Work
- Low Light Techniques
- Teaching the Fundamentals
- Qualification Standards
The Office of Public Safety is seeking newly selected instructor candidates to attend this course. The course was developed by a panel of subject matter experts and consists of 10 days of training. It combines lectures and practical exercises with a focus on operational safety, modern police firearms tactics and techniques, and proper instruction on fundamentals designed to give trainers the skills to develop and conduct firearms training.
Due to the hands-on, physical nature of this course, seating will be very limited. To attend the training, the officer must have completed an approved DCJS Instructor Development Course prior to attending this training.
Attendance for both weeks is mandatory, and the instructor candidate must be on agency time for the entire course. Due to safety concerns, any holster in which the retention devices need to be defeated by the trigger finger (example: Blackhawk SERPA) are prohibited. Instructor candidates must have three years of experience as a police or peace officer and must have carried a firearm during the course of those duties for that time.
If you require any ADA Reasonable Accommodation to participate fully in this event, please email dei@dcjs.ny.gov to communicate your request at least 10 business days prior to this event.
Due to the hands-on nature of this course, spaces are extremely limited, and you must receive confirmation to attend. Upon acceptance into the course, you will be contacted two weeks prior to the course start date. The online application can be accessed by clicking here. For questions related to the Firearms Instructor course pilot, please contact Public Safety Program Specialist EJ Weeks at ernest.weeks@dcjs.ny.gov or 518-457-3930.