Mobile shooting range training deputies, saving money

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Albany County Sheriff's Office has a new tool to help its officers train at a moment's notice without having to leave the county. It's a shooting range in a place you'd least expect it.

From the outside, it may not look like much, but the inside of the 50 ft. trailer parked outside of the county jail holds a mobile shooting range.

It's used for training purposes as Lt. William Carhart explained, "You still have to perform and function at a high level. There are no do-overs when you shoot a gun."

Rigged with three shooting lanes, lights and siren to help mimic real life scenarios, Lt. Carhart can train under any scenario, anytime he wants. "The world has gotten more dangerous, for sure, so we are practicing for whatever the scenario is. Being ambushed because of the uniform you wear," he said.

"We are enhancing their skills because we can create scenarios such as a domestic violence situation. You've seen the horrible acts of violence against our brothers and sisters in blue," added Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple.

The trailer, once used for military training, was purchased for $240,000, an investment Sheriff Apple said was well worth it for his department. "To us, this was huge. People criticized us for buying it, initially. This is the epitome of a no brainer. We used money that was used for drugs and guns and everything else and used it for something good. Didn't charge tax payers, and we are saving $113,000 a year.

Inside the sound proof box, as the bullets fly, the aim is to keep officers like Lt. Carhart, who's been with the department for 22 years, on top of their game. "With exposure comes composure. The more you do it, the better you'll get," he explained.

Peace officers with the Albany County Sheriff's Office are required to train once a year. The sheriff said the mobile training space has become crucial at a time when all departments are facing staffing challenges. His officers don't have to travel far and spend an entire day training. It also saves the department on their overtime budget.