No matter your sporting preferences, it may seem strange that while you enjoy a game or concert, police snipers with rifles could be standing nearby with guns to watch you. Yet that’s exactly what is happening at most major sporting events due to police snipers who use concealed guns to shoot from some distance away and provide security coverage at major sporting events. Snipers’ main function at such events is to address security concerns during these special occasions.
Sniper teams are specially-trained teams designed to handle a wide range of situations, from hostage situations to mass protests such as those held this past year in Washington D.C.
Snipers are an integral component of police SWAT teams and work alongside negotiators to defuse situations before any assault on suspects begins. Their training includes classroom lectures and non-kinetic practices (like anti-drone demonstrations ) but their most essential responsibility lies with practicing shooting from their Overwatch Positions (OPs). Snipers must consistently land all shots into a small (2×2 inch) diamond target from any distance and angle, regardless of weather conditions or terrain.
There are three different kinds of snipers: police snipers, military snipers, and special forces snipers. Police snipers typically operate as part of police departments and deploy for hostage situations while military snipers typically carry out counterinsurgency missions as members of an army unit.
Sniper rifles feature bipods to support and stabilize the weapon for extended firing sessions, as well as range finders to help pinpoint exactly the distance of their target. Snipers are trained in covering and concealment techniques as well as how to quickly shift positions quickly in order to minimize their exposure.
Police and military snipers receive training on how to detect other snipers, and taught to move with lightning speed in order to avoid being caught off-guard by unexpected enemies. Furthermore, they are instructed not to expose themselves too much by wearing camouflage that makes it harder for others to notice them.
Snipers are typically assigned the task of targeting high-value enemy personnel or disrupting communication links, and protecting civilians from attacks from terrorists or armed militias. Snipers have earned themselves a reputation as lifesavers; one renowned military sniper is Simo Hayha from Australia’s World War I army is thought to be deadliest sniper ever, having claimed 93 kills with just his rifle alone! Other famous military snipers include Billy Sing of Calgary Highlanders and Carlos Hathcock from North Vietnamese army forces.