Why Police Departments need Optical Devices over Iron Sights?

With increase in armed burglars, gunmen, drug peddlers, and unwanted anti-social elements, police need arms that are equipped with scopes that help them take better shots from any range. A few months back there was an incident in Pittsburgh where a heavily loaded gunman fired shots on police with his AK-47. The cops had just rifles to combat with and that's too without any scope for precisely locating the gunman. Three well trained cops died on the spot, just because they were not equipped with the right arms and associated optical devices such as riflescopes. This is not an isolated incident. Just go through the morning newspaper and you will find numerous such incidents happening all over the nation where the police and civil combat forces are falling behind the lumpens having the most modern combat instruments.

U.S. military has long shifted from iron sights to optical ones but most of the American law enforcement agencies are still holding on to the age old sighting system which relies only on natural eyesight. Though many still opine against the need of scopes on patrol rifles, reality is pointing towards another truth.

The Case for Optics
Optical devices are recommended for two reasons. First, combat operations need accuracy of shot even at short range. Second, is range of magnification. Iron sights rely on natural eyesight of the shooter. Therefore, no additional magnification is required. Though most of the law enforcement officer are trained to take accurate shots up to 100 yards, some situations crop up when precision shot placement becomes a priority. In these kinds of situations Trijicon Reflex ACOG or Aimpoint Micro T1 riflescopes come handy.

     
Selecting a Rifle Scope
A cop or patrol officer should be equipped with a high quality optical rifle scope such as Trijicon ACOG riflescope, Aimpoint Micro T1, Leupold CQ/T, and EOTech holographic sighting system; flip-up backup iron sight, and flip-up front sight. This article is not meant to make a point for optical sights only. The recommendations are based on real life experiences of numerous personnel in combat operations. That's why iron sights are recommended as backup with rifle scopes.

Selecting the right optical scope is not an easy task. It is mainly due to the fact that every person has his or her liking and comfort level. Two optical scopes are discussed here. In terms of design, Aimpoint red dots are tubular. Though the device is appreciable, some may find it a bit difficult to adjust. However, a little practice will help in getting used to it. One of the most important points here is that the  battery life of Aimpoint optics is really long. Many prefer Trijicon ACOG riflescopes because of lightweight and one-piece magnified optic. These are the reasons why this optical device is easily used with caliber rifles.