Louisiana Sheriff Holds Sniper School; Marshall Police Involved

SHREVEPORT, La. (AP) – A Louisiana sheriff’s office is holding sniper school this week for officers from six departments, including the Marshall, Texas, Police Department. Caddo Parish sheriff’s Cpl. Justin Dunn is an instructor for the 40-hour course for marksmen who respond to active shooters and people who have hostages or are barricaded. Dunn says the stress of such situations and the precision required for a larger-caliber gun make the skills different from anything else in law enforcement. Dunn says officers have to be extremely patient and be accurate with all types of weapons. Training includes moving targets, range estimation, sniper deployment, and maintaining data books. A news release says that along with Marshall police, the 11 students include Caddo, Desoto, and Red River Parish sheriff’s deputies; Louisiana State Police; and police from Natchitoches, Louisiana.