That adage can be applied to many situations.

And it also holds true for Jamestown Police Department officers.

Twice a year, they have to receive a qualifying score at the shooting range.

Luckily for the officers, they don’t have to travel very far because JPD has recently renovated its indoor range.

The renovated shooting range at JPD includes programmable targets, a two-feet-thick rubber berm trap stops bullets. Before, the targets moved toward and away from the officers. Now, with more room, officers can move to or from the targets. P-J photo by Michael Zabrodsky

According to JPD Chief Scott Forster, Action Target of Utah came to JPD and took out the old range including the shooting stalls, metal traps, part of the ceiling, and the sound baffling in the ceiling.

“They just basically renovated the entire range,” Forster said.

Located behind the targets, a two-feet-thick rubber berm trap that stops bullets was added. It replaced the metal trap.

Forster said the demolition was begun in spring 2025 and was recently completed in the fall of 2025.

“The targets are programmable,” Deputy Chief Adam McKinley said.

Before the renovation, targets would be able to move forward and back at fixed distances to accommodate the officers in the stalls. With the new range, McKinley said, the officers move instead of the targets. The officers can walk to a set distance or anywhere in between, and test their marksmanship.

McKinley said the targets now turn left or right, and the controlling unit is wireless.

“We have police lights in the range that we can simulate traffic stops or low-light shooting,” McKinley said.

The deputy chief added that the range also can be totally dark if that’s what the training dictates.

“We have more room,” Forster added.

The chief said now officers can simulate different scenarios whereas before officers were limited to just shooting their guns in a virtual straight line.

When practicing, officers will continue to wear ear and eye protection.

Because of the renovation, the chief said, officers, in addition to their handguns, now can use patrol rifles, and the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team members can use their rifles.

“So, it’s an added benefit to get more training,” Forseter said.

McKinley said officers train to have better marksmanship (accuracy) as well as working on quick draws, and getting shots off quickly. He also noted that officers train for good gun grip, stance, and movement.

“You grip can be not great for one shot, but when you start shooting multiple rounds, and your grip starts breaking down, that’s when you’re going to lose your accuracy,” McKinley said.

For their sidearms, JPD officers carry a Glock 17, a 9mm pistol.

The deputy chief, who also is a firearms instructor, said the Citizens Academy recently toured the renovated range, and members learned how to shoot guns. He said he drew lines on members hands to make sure they were gripping the guns correctly.

“They learned gun safety, and then they actually got to fire (guns) in our range,” McKinley said. “The first two hours were all grip, and stance.”

Forster added that off-duty police officers may come into JPD and use the range. However, the chief noted, they need to provide their own ammunition, and notify the command officer that they will be training in the range.

And, yes, even the chief has to qualify twice a year.

It’s mandatory.