Kevin Baker points to a few instances where police officers are in desperate need of some range time. From the looks of it, you have about a 1 in 30 chance of being hit if they shoot at you. Not to worry too much though, what they lack in skill they are making up for in persistance.

By now everyone's heard about the LA Sheriff's deputies who fired something on the order of 120 rounds at a suspect. Four rounds actually hit the suspect (none life-threatening). One round hit one of the ten deputies. Thats a ratio of 30:1 for hits on the intended target.

It's nice to know that police accuracy is consistent. I was reminded of this post from Sept. 19, 2003 where Thomas Martin McGouey attempted to commit suicide-by-cop in Tennessee. At 30 yards, Mr. McGouey (with a target helpfully drawn on his bare chest) pointed an empty air pistol at six officers.

Twenty-eight rounds fired, one hit.

In the shoulder.

Way to go, guys!

To quote the magnificent Jack Elam, "Well I was in a hurry to save your life I wasn't trying to group my shots"