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DUGWAY, Tooele County — There's a level of intensity mere words can't describe; you have to see it.
So, when Sandy police officer Curtis Robertson began shooting on one of the world-class live-fire ranges at Dugway Proving Ground Wednesday, people stopped what they were doing and watched.
“The goal, for me, is to shoot my ability — shoot as well as I can shoot,” Robertson said.
The targets didn't stand a chance, being on the business end of Robertson's guns. When he was done, the Sandy officer had set a course record: the fastest guy at the 4th annual Tactical Top Shot 3-Gun Competition at Dugway.
Police agencies throughout Utah tested their shooting skills in this competition Wednesday — with rifles, shotguns and pistols.
“You see some of the top shooters around the state actually here today,” said Dugway Police Chief Phillip Fishbeck.
The Dugway Police Department hosts the annual event in an effort to let Utah law enforcement agencies know they’re welcome to train at the U.S. Army base’s facilities free of charge.
“You know, (police) departments nowadays, they’re so short on budget and things of that nature, and I want to be able to say, ‘Hey, we have these items here, and this steel. Don’t waste your money on that stuff. Come to Dugway, use it here, and spend your resources where you need it in your cities or counties,’” Fishbeck said.
Robertson, a 13-year veteran of the Sandy Police Department, is happy facilities and competitions like this are available to him.
“Stuff like this is what’s going to help you function under the pressure of a real incident, and hopefully keep the community safer by us being more proficient when we have to be,” he said.
“Every person out here, they’re looking at techniques other officers are using and then they’re going back and saying, ‘Hey, how did you load that weapon that way?’ ” Fishbeck said.
Robertson sure was busy talking to people, and loved every second of it.
“That’s the best part about it: You can sit here and hang out and make fun of each other,” he said.
