Officers have been using a makeshift range on a nearby farm, but that is not an ideal situation, Police Chief Robert Rockwood said. We're still shooting real bullets on somebody's property. We understand that it's an imposition, as it would be with anybody's property. Police officers qualify with their firearms at least annually, but a new range will allow for more qualification and continual practice. That will give our range officer opportunities to work with and improve the proficiency of the officers with their firearms.
City officials say the range is worthwhile if for nothing more than safety.
Officers will not have to drive outside of Franklin, sometimes drawing overtime, to practice their shooting. We're going to make it as realistic as we can. When an officer draws his weapon, he's drawing deadly force. The Cincinnati Enquirer , a Gannett Co. Inc. newspaper.