The GP is using it as an insult. Handgun training and competence varies tremendously between different cities and departments. Overall, I think most department

The GP is using it as an insult. Handgun training and competence varies tremendously between different cities and departments. Overall, I think most departments gotten drastically better over the last twenty years. Handgun skills decline quickly without use. For a long time most American police departments only required officers to qualify once a year, and the test was easy. Your average civilian handgun shooting enthusiast who shoots once or twice a month is probably better than your average police officer at hitting targets, simply because or the range time difference. An oft quoted number that I can't source says that the average officer fires six shots per hit. However, your average police officer should be able to handle stress better, should be used to fighting back at people trying to hurt them, and should be able to work with other officers as a team.