The shotgun is the most devastating weapon a person can have at hand that is legal to own. NO carbine can compare or even compete. That was it. Some departments are just as bad or worse. Any department that fails to offer a full and complete shotgun course is not looking out for the safety of officers.
Many myths are around about shotguns.
Even gunshots seldom impress the thugs. This is also not true at close and normal combat ranges. Here is one area police and shooters fail to address. Each shotgun is unique. No two shotguns will fire the same pattern with the same ammunition.