Podcast Summary

Podcast: The TTPOA Podcast
Episode: TTPOA Train-Up's Series – Practical Shooting: Partnering with Law Enforcement Administration
Date: November 11, 2025
Hosts: Derek and Brandon
Guests: Brian and Chansey, Reticence Group

Episode Overview

This episode, the third in the TTPOA Train-Up Series, focuses on the practical aspects of firearms and tactical training for law enforcement, specifically how to successfully partner with law enforcement administration to improve practical shooting programs. Derek and Brandon host field training experts Brian and Chansey of Reticence Group, discussing strategies for gaining administrative support, the importance of regular training, and overcoming barriers such as liability concerns and the so-called “lowest common denominator” mindset.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Building Relationships with Administration

• Demonstrating Value: The guests stress the importance of showing command staff what progressive firearms training looks like, rather than just arguing the case for it in theory.
  • "It really is just showing them... get them out there on the range." – Chansey [03:38]
• Creating Buy-In: By bringing administration to the range as students—allowing them to train, and sometimes fail—the reticence and concerns from the higher-ups are eased, making them more open to evolving the training curriculum.
  • “When you show them that they too can do it and... set the parameters where again, they can fail... you give them the permission to fail in this environment...” – Chansey [04:41]
• Open Communication: Building rapport and approaching admin with respect and gratitude, rather than a sense of entitlement, is emphasized.
  • “If you’re a grumpy ass walking around and you act entitled about it versus truly being thankful... we don’t take that for granted.” – Chansey [07:32]

2. Overcoming Resistance and Addressing Liability

• The Liability Argument: Liability is cited as the top concern (“the big L word”) for administration; lack of ongoing, real firearms training creates legal exposure for agencies.
  • “When you talk about training and then lack of training or failure to train... the liability is huge on the department then, right?” – Brian [09:09]
  • “It’s not going to look as good if something bad happens out there. And this officer can truly say, like, I've only fired 180 rounds total over the last three years...” – Brian [09:43]
• Needs Assessment: Making a business case by presenting needs assessments and showing how additional resources (e.g., ammo, range time) directly support safer outcomes.

3. Raising the Standard: Challenging the “Lowest Common Denominator”

• Rejecting Minimum Standards: The panel pushes back on the notion that training should be designed for only the weakest performers.
  • “You gotta raise the bar, man... You start grabbing them and pulling them up to you.” – Chansey [11:35]
  • “Lowest common denominator is a catch-all lazy way of just saying... we gotta teach to this weakest link.” – Brian [14:06]
• Investment in All Officers: Many struggling shooters are simply under-trained, not untrainable. Given the chance and quality instruction, most officers can improve.
  • “It’s not because they’re the lowest common denominator. It’s because they haven’t been trained.” – Brian [13:07]
  • “The vast majority of people who are labeled as lowest common denominators... are given that label by people who aren’t willing to train them.” – Brian [16:01]

4. Evolving Qualification and Practice

• Changing Qual Approach: Previous strict “walk in cold and qualify” policies gave no one a chance to learn or practice. Now every officer spends a four-hour block training before the annual qual, resulting in dramatically fewer failing scores.
  • “We train them for four hours and then they shoot a qual for record... we’ve seen a significant number of people level up and not be in remedial training.” – Brian [17:26]
• Practical Mindset: The group highlights the need for consistent, realistic range time for all officers—not just “sharp shooters,” emphasizing that even minimal extra investment brings significant returns in performance and safety.

5. Instilling a Professional Mindset

• Owning Responsibility: Officers are asked to honestly self-assess their comfort and competence with their firearms, challenging complacency.
  • “If you had to use your gun, are you confident in your ability... are you comfortable with it? And you’ll see the looks in people’s eyes...” – Chansey [19:33]
• Support and Accessibility: Brian and Chansey make themselves available for individual training and stress that nobody should be left without support if they are willing to learn.
  • “Email me, call me... we will come down here and train with you.” – Chansey [20:24]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Admin Buy-In:
  • “Honestly, like I said, let’s be real... It’s a business. Any city or police department’s a business. It’s run like a business. And they care about liability, as they should.” – Brian [09:24]
  • “You gotta know whether to be sandpaper or silk... Sometimes folks need to hear a sandpaper version because it gets the point.” – Chansey [10:20]
• Raising Standards:
  • “A sharpened pencil never does any work.” – Brian [22:20]
  • “You can’t want it for them... that doesn’t mean you don’t give them everything that you give everybody else.” – Chansey [15:13]
• Dirty Guns as a Good Sign:
  • “To me, if a guy’s got a dirty gun because he’s been shooting, that’s a fucking good sign. Like, he’s prepared.” – Derek [21:55]
  • “A sharpened pencil never does any work.” – Brian [22:20]

Important Timestamps

• [03:38] – Chansey outlines the importance of hands-on admin involvement in training.
• [04:41] – Creating a safe environment for admin staff to fail and learn.
• [09:09] – Discussion of liability as a chief issue for administration.
• [13:07] – Brian challenges “lowest common denominator” training philosophy.
• [17:26] – Explains changes to their agency’s qual and the positive impact.
• [19:33] – Honest self-assessment about proficiency and mindset in carrying a firearm.
• [21:55] – The meaning of a “dirty gun” and practical approaches to firearms maintenance.

Final Thoughts & Resources

Contact & Training:

• Reticence Group offers both open and closed courses; interested listeners can reach out via their website, Facebook, or directly through Instagram:
  • @chansey_reticencegroup and @brian_reticencegroup
  • “Be comfortable talking to your people. And if you got questions, holler at us, man. We will help you navigate the administration.” – Brian [22:30]

Takeaway Message:

• The key to bringing about real change in law enforcement training lies in demonstrating value, fostering relationships, pushing for higher standards, and providing meaningful opportunities for all officers to grow—regardless of where they start.

“Go train hard and go shoot. Not shoot people. Just go shoot.” – Derek [22:50]