LE Basic Sniper School

Location: Heber, AZ

Sierra 1 Site

Free onsite camping.

Course Overview:
This intensive program provides law enforcement officers with the fundamental knowledge and practical skills required to operate as a designated sniper in support of tactical operations. The course is designed around real-world law enforcement scenarios, with a focus on observation, precision marksmanship, target discrimination, and integration with tactical teams during high-risk incidents. Students will graduate with the discipline and competency to operate as a police sniper under a variety of mission conditions.

Course Objectives:

• Sniper Roles & Responsibilities:

  • Tactical deployment of the law enforcement sniper

  • Sniper mission planning and coordination with incident command

  • Rules of engagement, legal considerations, and use-of-force documentation

• Precision Rifle Marksmanship Fundamentals:

  • Rifle setup, optics mounting, and zeroing procedures

  • Shooting positions: prone, supported, unconventional, and barricade positions

  • Trigger control, recoil management, and shot follow-through

• Observation & Intelligence Gathering:

  • Optics use: spotting scopes, binoculars, and reticle-based range estimation

  • Surveillance techniques, target identification, and threat assessment

  • Field sketches, note-taking, and relaying critical intelligence to command elements

• Ballistics & Environmental Factors:

  • Basic external ballistics: bullet drop, wind drift, and temperature effects

  • Collecting and applying DOPE (Data On Previous Engagements)

  • Wind reading fundamentals using mirage, vegetation, and flags

• Range Estimation & Target Engagement:

  • Manual range estimation techniques using mil reticles

  • Engaging targets at varying known and unknown distances 

  • Cold bore shot tracking, hostage target drills, and timed engagements

• Team Integration & Spotter Roles:

  • Communication protocols and shot call dialogue

  • Target acquisition and shooter/spotter coordination

  • Working in tandem with entry teams and command elements

• Scenario-Based Final Exercises:

  • Realistic callouts involving command post communication, threat observation, and sniper support

  • Threat engagement under pressure with accountability and post-shot reporting

  • Qualification evaluation to ensure competency and readiness

Performance Outcomes:

• Graduates will demonstrate the ability to engage precise targets under time, stress, and variable environmental conditions.

• Officers will effectively collect intelligence, operate from concealed positions, and communicate with tactical elements during critical incidents.

• Students will meet or exceed state or agency sniper qualification standards and be prepared for operational deployment.

Recommended Equipment:

• Precision bolt-action rifle in .308 or equivalent (match-grade preferred)

• Rifle optic with adjustable turrets and mil-dot or MOA-based reticle

• Spotting scope, data book, ballistic calculator or Kestrel

• Rear bag, sling, rangefinder, tripod

• 600 rounds of match-grade ammunition

• Duty uniform and tactical kit for scenario-based exercises

More information will be sent out upon registration.