Firearms training is important for police officers to carry out their peace keeping function. Each officer is required to train on a variety of weapons that they carry while on duty. These include handguns, shotguns, and patrol rifles. A proper firearms training facility provides adequate room to set up training scenarios, offer various distance targets, and be a safe environment for shooting. We are proud that our facility meets these requirements.
The Sylvania Township Police Department (STPD) operates two firearms training facilities. One is an outdoor range in a temporarily unused portion of Hanson Aggregates, Inc. stone quarry. The second is an indoor facility located at the police department.
The firearms training facilities are truly a partnership with our community. Hanson Aggregates allows the department to train in the quarry, while a number of other individuals and businesses have provided the materials and labor to complete the many training areas contained there. A donation drive in the community also raised money for targets and training materials.
The STPD wishes to thank all of our benefactors for a great training facility, especially Carter Lumber, Future Lawn, Hanson Aggregates, Lowe's, and The Stansley Group.
Our indoor range includes 5 electronically controlled lanes, air filtration system, and control booth. The outdoor firearms training facility was built by the community enabling police agencies throughout Ohio to train at the facility. The range is available for law enforcement use at the local, state, and federal levels. Military units in the area have also trained at the range. Police and military officials can contact the STPD Deputy Chief at (419) 882-2055 to arrange a training date.
The STPD uses the firearms training facilities in a number of ways. There are areas for shooting, scenario practice, and gas usage. Annual firearm qualifications are conducted at one of the ranges for shotguns, pistols, less-lethal delivery systems, diversionary devices, gas, and patrol rifles. The STPD Special Response Team also trains at one of the ranges monthly. Vehicle stop scenarios (including live-fire) and classes are also conducted at the outdoor range. We will continue to enhance our firing ranges through additional facilities donated by local businesses. These ranges offer our department quality facilities at a reasonable cost to our residents. This allows our department to maintain state mandated qualifications and training in areas that will help us keep our community safe.