About the
North Carolina
Police Combat
Pistol League
The League
The Season
The Rules
Our Goals
The Governor's 20
The Duty Match
No Spending Limit
New Shooters Shoot for Free
State Championship Match
Postal Team
Teams
Prizes and Awards
Governor's 20 Banquet
Classifications
THE LEAGUE
The North Carolina Police Combat Pistol League is the
venue for determining for the record the best shooters in the North Carolina
law enforcement community. The League sponsors the matches which determine the
State Champion, the Governor's Twenty, and the Postal Team. These matches also
establish which department has the best two and four man teams.
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THE SEASON
The League schedules eight matches a season. This season
runs from late March through mid September. Four matches are held on Wednesdays;
four on Saturdays. One Saturday match is the State Championship Match. Traditionally,
the League schedules one of these Saturday matches near the coast and another
in the mountains. These two matches are designed as an excuse for a weekend
getaway (with or without the family is entirely up to each member).
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THE RULES
League bylaws are posted HERE.
What follows will hopefully answer the questions asked most frequently.
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OUR GOALS
Obviously, the goal of the League is to promote proficiency
with the firearms we use in our professional lives. The safe handling of a firearm
is stressed as much as the shooter's ability to place a round in the X-ring.
Also, the League strives to offer an enjoyable environment for all its members.
It provides the entire North Carolina law enforcement community with a place
to make new friends as well as to hone their skills with firearms.
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THE GOVERNOR'S TWENTY
The Governor's Twenty is the top twenty police shooters
in the state. These twenty members of the League are recognized with a certificate
signed by the Governor of North Carolina as well as a pin for wearing on their
uniform. The top twenty shooters are established by taking every member who
has fired the Duty Course in at least four matches, then totaling the best
four scores. The members with the twenty highest scores will be the
Governor's
Twenty.
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THE DUTY MATCH-THE LEVEL PLAYING FIELD
Several different matches (i. e., courses of fire) are
fired at every match. The Duty Match is the course which is used to determine
the Governor's Twenty as well as Team scores. The Duty Match was selected for
these purposes as this match makes everyone as "equal" as possible. It prevents
an "equipment race," thus keeping each member's expense within their means.
(Please see our COURSES OF FIRE section). A member
should possess all the equipment necessary to fire the Duty Match when they
are issued their gear by their agency. Three magazines are required so some
members do find themselves having to obtain a third magazine. Otherwise, the
Duty Match is fired using duty gear. No fancy or specialized competition gear
is allowed in this match. Even the firearm is subject to certain restrictions
which are addressed in detail in the bylaws. We have yet to encounter an agency's
pistol that does not comply with the rules.
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MEMBERS MAY SPEND AS MUCH AS THEY WISH
To be competitive in the other matches fired at each match,
more expensive equipment will become necessary as the member's skill level rises.
A member may also buy equipment to enhance their performance in the Duty Match.
A member must use "duty equipment" when firing the Duty Match, but one is not
restricted to the gear issued to them by their agency. Two examples: (1) If
a member feels that they are able to shoot a pistol other than the one issued
by their agency with greater accuracy they may fire that pistol in the Duty
Match so long as that pistol qualifies under the rules; and, (2) A member does
not want to scuff their duty belt, etc., so they purchase a belt, holster, and
magazine pouch for use in competition. Again, so long as this gear falls into
the "duty equipment" category this is permissible. New members are encouraged
to ask a League officer before making any purchase.
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NEW MEMBERS SHOOT FREE
The League recognizes that members will make a considerable
investment when they commit to competing in the League. To encourage as many
people as possible to see what the League has to offer them a first time shooter
may shoot in their first match for free. They will not have to join the League
and match fees will be waived. When they decide to join us they will be required
to pay all dues and fees. The scores from their first match will count. This
is a one time offer for those who have never participated in a League match.
This offer does not apply for the State Championship Match.
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STATE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
This match is special. If a shooter is going to attend
only one match a year it should be this one. The scores recorded at this match
will determine the State Championships. Members and teams will have to post
at least four scores to earn League championships. At the State Championship
Match, things are decided that day. The Duty Match is fired an additional time
to determine team championships. Trophies and awards will be presented to the
winners at this match. This match is also when the League forms its Postal Team.
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POSTAL TEAM
Every state, territory, etc., in the Union selects its
top six shooters to represent them in the "Postal Match." These shooters are
those who fired the top six score in the 1500 Match. The League mails off (hence
the `postal' component) the names of these shooters and their scores to the
NRA, as does similar organizations in the other states, etc. Once all the results
have been received by the NRA it ranks all the teams.
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TEAMS
The League encourages all agencies to field a two man
team and as many four man teams as possible. Prior to the second match of the
season teams must be declared. If an agency had three members participating
in the League they would have to decide at that time who would be on the two
man team. The third member of the agency could be an alternate. Other than for
the State Championship, no special or extra match is fired for a team score.
Each member's individual score in the Duty match counts as their team score.
An alternate's score may only be used if one of the members of the team is not
present at that match. Each team must post at least four scores to be considered
for the League championship. A team's top four scores will be used for the final
results.
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PRIZES AND AWARDS
The League seeks to recognize all its members' accomplishments.
At a minimum, trophies will be presented to State and League champions, both
individual and teams. Other forms of recognition will be presented to members
for their achievements. At the Governor's Twenty banquet, after all of the awards
are presented, a drawing will be held for an assortment of prizes. It is the
League's goal to give away at least two guns each year. Other prizes will include
gift certificates from law enforcement equipment suppliers. While League officers
and senior members will seek out every donation possible, it will be the duty
of every member to add to the prizes available. These prizes will be awarded
randomly; that is, by drawing. This affords every member of the League an opportunity
to win prizes regardless (for the most part) of their scores. A member need
not be present at the banquet to win.
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GOVERNOR'S TWENTY BANQUET
Approximately a month after the last match
the members gather one last time. We honor the winners and enjoy a meal at a
fine restaurant. Families, friends, chiefs, sheriffs, etc., are more than welcome.
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CLASSIFICATIONS
Here are the current Classifications
of shooters in the NCPCPL.
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