My coleague and I in front of our Mumbai PD staff car.
It's been a long time since I've been out on a range with some customers. I have 2 purposes for doing so - marketing demonstrations and training. Marketing demos, such as the shoot in Belize during April '08 shows how I run the range, but there is no objective other than letting potential customers shoot the guns. To a very limited extent some basic training may be required if the shooter is not familiar with our guns, but for the most part, the attendees at these shoots know what they are doing. It is not uncommon for attendees to include police commissioners, chiefs, chiefs of staffs of various branches of the armed forces, cabinet ministers, general officers, etc... However, training, such as is the case with this entry for the Mumbai Police, has an objective of training to the desired ends of the customer.
Training began in the classroom.
They are paying for the training and we have to ensure that the students absorb what we are there to teach. Mumbai is significant as they are the first Indian law enforcement agency in India to buy my company's guns and, in case you missed it, the largest terrorist attack since 9/11 occured on their watch in their city last November. For them to tell the world that part of the remedy for future terrorist attack prevention is to use my guns provides me with enormous marketing bragging rights. This training took place on a Maharashtra State Police Reserve training facility north of the city, close to the Mumbai International Airport. It was about 95 deg F and extremely humid. Myself and 1 other trainer had to train 60 officers of the Mubai PD's special react teams (SWAT equivalent) in 2 days.
The range facility.
Over all the shoot was an enormous success; we made many friends on the force and I look forward to visiting with them again. Their hospitality was second to none. While I was there, I had a staff patrol car assigned to me complete with an officer as the driver for the duration of my 4-day stay. As I was shuttled around the city, I could see the policemen coming to attention and snapping salutes not quite sure who was in the car. Reminded me of my days back in the USMC!! It is always the best part of my job to get out onto a range and shoot the weapons with the customers. Training is an added bonus as, since I don't wear a uniform anymore, this is now my part in fighting terrorism - helping improve the technical proficiency and warfigting ability of the guys who are out there protecting the world. Until the next time...
