Association

 NEW YORK POLICE COMBAT ASSOCIATION INC.

2024 RULES

I.    SANCTIONED MATCHES

  1. The Association will convene a meeting of Match Sponsors each year for the purpose of selecting dates for sanctioned league matches to be conducted the following year.
  2. Match Sponsors will select a date for one (1) match in order of seniority in the Association. Additional match dates shall again be selected, one at a time, in order of seniority, until all match sponsors have had adequate opportunity to choose dates. This shall not preclude two (2) or more sponsors from selecting the same dates by agreement. After sanction for a match has been granted, regardless of seniority, no match sponsor may subsequently be granted sanction for a date that is already selected without the express approval of the Match Sponsor previously holding the sanction.
  3. Sanctioned matches will use the NRA Police Pistol Combat 1500 course of fire and be sanctioned by the NRA.  This shall not preclude the use of additional courses of fire in any tournament.
  4. Sanctioned matches shall not be limited to Association members except at the Match Sponsor option.
  5. Commencing in 1996 the New York State Combat Pistol Championship will be sponsored by the New York Police Combat Association Inc. When the Match Sponsors pick their dates at the annual meeting, NYPCA will pick the date for the State Championship first.
  6. The Match Sponsor of the State Championship shall provide a memento of the event to each competitor.
  7. The association may approve any PPC League.

II.    GOVERNOR’S TEN/TWENTY

  1. To be eligible for annual awards members must have four (4) scores fired in sanctioned matches in the competitive year.
    • These four (4) scores may not be fired in one event (one weekend match).  They must be fired in at least in two events.
  2. For the purpose of compiling an average in the Governor’s Gun Ten/Twenty League, only complete 1500 aggregate shall be acceptable.
  3. The competitive year shall commence on January first and terminate immediately after the last selected match date.
  4. Individual members must pay their annual Association’s membership fee prior to firing in an Association match to have that score or scores count for annual awards.
  5. Individual members shooting scores in excess of the minimum required number of matches shall have only their high scores considered for the Governor’s Ten/Twenty.
  6. Individual members competing in a team match must declare their intention to compete by paying their team fee prior to their commencing to fire.
  7. Individual members in good standing, who notify the Association in advance and who participate in the National Police Shooting Championships, New Jersey NRA registered State Championship, or New Jersey NRA registered Regional shall have their applicable fired score(s) count for the NYPCA annual awards. It is the member’s responsibility to report fired scores to the chief statistical officer in a timely manner.
  8. In an effort to increase civilian membership in the New York Police Combat Association and to    provide a more harmonious relationship between civilian and police competitors, commencing in 2015 civilians will be full members and will compete directly with law enforcement shooters.
  9. Effective in 2015 there will no longer be an “open” classification.  Civilian members competing will be eligible for all New York Police Combat Association annual awards as well as match awards.  Civilian members who competed in previous years will have their scores used to classify them for the current year.  New civilian members will shoot in the class within the highest classification with a competitor at each match until they earn a classification under current NRA rules (after firing 300 rounds).  The NYPCA Chief Statistical Officer shall track their classification and notify all match sponsors.  These classifications shall be “in house”.  (Their stats will not be sent to the NRA on SR-500 form).
  10. There shall be a Governor’s Ten unless more than fifty-one (51) competitors qualify for a Governor’s   Twenty award.

III.    THREE MOST IMPROVED

  1. Association members competing in the required number of sanctioned matches, and who are not selected for membership in the Governor’s Ten/Twenty, may be selected as one of the “Three Most Improved Police Combat Shooters in New York State”.  And starting in 2016 a member may also be selected as one of the “Three Most Improved Police Service Gun Shooters in New York State”.
  2. The method of selection of the Ten Most Improved in both the Police Combat Shooters and the Police Service Gun Shooters shall be as follows:
    1. The Competitor’s year shall be divided in half with an equal number of fired matches in each half; in the event the competitor completes an odd number of matches, the odd numbered match shall be averaged in the competitor’s first half.
    2. To be eligible for either of the Three Most Improved awards, members must have 6 scores fired in sanctioned matches in the competitive year. The member’s scores shall be averaged for each half.
    3. Ranking will be decided by identifying the shooter with the greatest improvement in average raw score from the first half to the second. The three (3) shooters with the greatest improvement shall be designated as the Three Most Improved.
    4. Competitors who tie in the improvement of their average raw score will have the tie decided in the favor of the shooter with the highest numerical average.
    5. A member may be designated as one of the Three Most Improved only once in his or her life.  That is once in PPC and once in service gun.  All awards shall be a certificate.

IV.    VINCENT VITIELLO MARKSMANSHIP AWARDS

  1. Association members competing in the required number of sanctioned matches, and who are not selected for membership in the Governor’s Ten/Twenty or Three Most Improved, may be selected to receive an annual Marksmanship Award as one of the highest scoring police combat shooters in New York State in any of the current classifications. The top three eligible competitors in each class will each receive an award.
  2. The method of selection of the recipients of the Marksmanship Awards shall be as follows:
    1. To be eligible a member must have 6 scores fired in sanctioned matches in the competitive year.
    2. Members shooting scores in excess of the minimum required number of matches shall have only their highest scores considered;
    3. For the purpose of determining the classification of the shooter for award purposes, the classification of the shooter on the last day of the shooting season shall be used.
    4. The competitors in each classification with the highest season average will be selected as the recipients of the Marksmanship Award.
  3. Association members competing in the required number of service gun matches, and who are not selected for membership in the Service Gun Ten/Twenty may be selected to receive an annual Service Gun Marksmanship Award as the highest scoring service gun shooter in New York State in any of the current classifications.  All awards shall be a certificate.

V.    GREY KNIGHT

  1. The Grey Knight Award will be presented to the chronologically oldest member of the New York Police Combat Association Inc. and
  2. Must be a member of the Association for at least three (3) consecutive years and
  3. Have qualified for annual awards in each of those years.

VI.    DUES AND FEES

  1. Individual members’ dues shall be $30.00 per year. Dues shall be paid by April 1st of the calendar year or a late fee of $10 will be assessed.
  2. New individual members shall pay an initiation fee of $10.00.
  3. Match Sponsors dues shall be 50.00.
  4. A current member who brings in two new dues paying members for the current year shall have his membership renewal dues for the following year waived.

VII.    MATCH CONDITIONS

  1. The Association shall entertain complaints from interested parties concerning:
    1. The conduct or operation of any sanctioned match;
  2. The timely production and quality of the final bulletin and match awards;
  3. Competitor conduct;
  4. Any matter pertaining to sanctioned activities of the Association.
  5. Each and all match sponsors must have their sanctioned match NRA approved on or before their scheduled match date. A copy of the NRA approval shall be forwarded to the secretary prior to the match date.
  6. Match sponsor shall provide an award, cash or trophy to the aggregate winner of each class, except in matches designated as “no-frills” matches.
  7. The Association, by action of its special committees, Executive Board, or by membership vote, may affect such remedial action, as it deems necessary. A vote of the membership at a regular or special meeting shall be the final appeal decision.
  8. Match Sponsors shall forward scores to the Statistical Officer within seven (7) calendar days after their match. The Association shall impose a fine of ten dollars ($10.00) per day for each day the scores are delinquent and all fines must be paid to the Association before any subsequent matches are sanctioned. All members shall be notified of non-sanctioned matches. The Match Sponsor will mail the match results, post-marked not later than twenty-one (21) days after the match. A copy of the match results will be sent to the Association’s 1st Vice President.
  9. In general, it is expected that all match conditions and standards will comply with current NRA Police Pistol Combat Rules, except were provided for by the Association, or by the Match Sponsor with the Association’s approval.
  10. Match sponsors may run a match as a “no-frills match”.

VIII.    NEWSLETTER

An Association newsletter shall be sent via e-mail to each member to provide the members with the following information at least on an annual basis:

  1. A schedule of league matches, with contact information;
  2. Criteria for the annual awards selection;
  3. Events or matters of general interest to Association members;
  4. Midyear standings and final awards;
  5. Articles of interest appropriate to combat shooting.

IX.    OTHER ACTIVITIES

The Association may, from time to time, engage in such activities as it deems proper to further its objectives. Such activities may include but not be limited to:

  1. The conducting of the Annual Awards Brunch;
  2. The sanctioning and/or holding of the New York State Combat Pistol Championship;
  3. Conferring awards upon individuals and/or groups to promote the Association’s objectives;
  4. Recognizing the achievements of the New York Police Teams;
  5. Holding, sanctioning, or sponsoring clinics and/or training courses to advance the state of firearms practice within the Association;
  6. The establishment of an umpire/counselor system to insure uniformity and to upgrade competitive conditions among the several sanctioned matches;
  7. The Association will seek to provide a picnic-type meal during the competitive year, preferably at the State Championship Match with the cost to be agreed upon between the Match Sponsor and the Executive Board;
  8. The Association shall provide annual awards to the following winners at the State Championship.  All winners shall be based upon an aggregate of the revolver 1500 score or Semi-Auto 1500 score, and Semi-Auto Match and Service Gun Match scores.  These awards shall be given to association members only and both members of a team must be current members of the NYPCA to receive the mentioned award.  Note, overall state champion will not be eligible for individual class awards.
    • Overall, Winner
    • First place in each class, except unclassified
    • Overall team winner (each member)
  9. Starting in 2018 members receiving the Service Gun Three Most Improved award will be awarded certificates of accomplishments. Also, only the top 20% of competitors will receive Service Gun and 1500 Marksmanship awards and Tactical match awards.

X.    JOSEPH CACCAMO SERVICE GUN TEN/TWENTY

The purpose of the Service Gun Ten/Twenty is to encourage participation in growth of the Association. It is anticipated that the Service Gun Ten/Twenty will act as a catalyst to bring new members into the Association and assist in fulfilling the Association’s purpose as stated in the Association’s by-laws.

  1. Individual members shall be eligible to compete in the Service Gun Ten/Twenty. Non-association members may compete but only for match awards.
  2. Match Sponsors shall provide trophies or cash awards, by the Lewis System, which being one (1) award per every five (5) competitors per class, except at matches designated as “no-frills” matches. The Association awards, known as Service Gun Ten/Twenty, will be awarded to Association members at the annual awards brunch.
  3. The match sponsor shall send to the Association two dollars ($2.00) per shooter, per day, regardless of whether the shooter is or is not a member of the NYPCA. If a shooter shoots on the first day of the match and then also shoots on the subsequent day, an additional two dollars ($2.00) will be sent to the association. In this example a total of four dollars ($4.00) is sent to the association.  The match sponsor only sends $2.00 per shooter, per day no matter how many matches he shoots during that day, nor how many disciplines he shoots during that day (PPC, service, semi-auto, etc).  These fees are where the association receives funding for annual awards.
  4. The only firearms that shall be accepted for the Service Gun Ten/Twenty are:
    • Revolver – Competitors will conform to NRA combat pistol rule 3.6 (Stock Service Revolver). The ammunition will be restricted to round nose, semi-wadcutter, and hollow point (no wadcutter) ammunition. Factory or reloaded ammunition may be used (Ammunition, rule 3.17.2). This section is construed to mean genuine service revolvers.
    • Semi-automatic pistol – Competitors will conform to NRA combat pistol rule 3.7 (Stock Service Semi-Automatic Pistol). The ammunition will be restricted to round nose, semi-wadcutter, and hollow point (no wadcutter) ammunition. Factory or reloaded ammunition may be used (Ammunition, rule 3.17.2). This section is construed to mean genuine service pistols.
  5. The course of fire for the Service Gun Ten/Twenty shall be the NRA Service Gun Match (rule 7.9, Stock Service Revolvers & Stock Service Semi-Automatic Pistols).
  6. To be eligible members must have six (6) scores fired in sanctioned matches in the competitive year. These six (6) scores may not be fired in one event (one weekend match). They must be fired in at least in two events. Those required scores shall be averaged and the top ten/ twenty competitors firing the required number of service gun scores shall be deemed the winners of the Service Gun Ten/Twenty awards. Individual members firing scores in excess of the minimum required number shall have only their high scores considered for the Service Gun Ten/Twenty.
  7. For 2019 the annual award known as the Duty Gun Award had been reinstated but is privately awarded. Three awards will be presented to active duty Law Enforcement at the Annual Awards Brunch.  Competitors who shoot the above Service Gun Match using their duty weapon, duty gear, and duty ammunition may designate their scores to be counted towards the Duty Gun Award.  This request must be made prior to shooting the match.  Duty gun scores are service gun scores and are also counted for annual awards in the service gun category. The intension of this award is to encourage active duty Law Enforcement personnel to become more proficient with their work gun and work gear.
  8. A match sponsor has the option to also offer an Off-Duty match. In 2023 this match shall be called an Open Match.  Competitors using revolvers may use any centerfire revolver including optics. Competitors using semi-auto pistols will conform to NRA combat rule 3.9 (off-duty semi-auto pistol).  Rule 3.17.2 (ammunition), and rule 3.14 (holsters) will be followed by both revolver and pistol shooters.  Course of fire will be the 48 round service gun course of fire.  Four (4) scores will be required for annual awards.  These four (4) scores may not be fired in one event (one weekend match).  They must be fired in at least in two events.
  9. Match Sponsors shall be required to offer the Service Gun match to every competitor at each sanctioned match, except at a designated Tactical Match where it will be up to the match sponsor to determine if they will also offer a service match.
  10. In any association approved league an association member may submit their highest two (2) service weapon scores for consideration for annual service weapon association awards. The league will submit $2.00 to the association for each score submitted.
  11. The classification system for the Service Gun Ten/Twenty is as follows:

High Master….                        99.0 and above            476 to 480

Master………….                        98.1 to 98.9                 471 to 475

Expert………….                        96.8 to 98.0                 465 to 470

Sharpshooter…                       93.7 to 96.7                 450 to 464

Marksman……                         90.1 to 93.6                 433 to 449

Classified……                          90.0 and below            432 and below

  1. New York Police Combat Association Distinguished Program

Starting with the 2017 shooting season a new event known as the New York State Distinguished Program will be instituted with the following rules:

  1. The event is open to Police and Civilian shooters.  To become distinguished, a shooter must earn a total of 30 points.  Qualification is based on an aggregate score of the service gun 48 round course of fire and the semi-auto 60 round National Police Course.  This is a non-fired match.  Scores will be taken from the above mentioned two matches.  If the shooter fires two of each matches the first fired scores will be used.  This award can only be received once.
  2. The NYPCA Executive board will choose at the annual meeting three (3) matches throughout the shooting season that will sponsor a Distinguished Program. At these three (3) matches a semi-auto 60 round National Police course will be a fired match.
  3. If there are 7 or more competitors, then the top 5 shooters in each distinguished event will earn the following points towards the 30 point goal:
    • 1st place earns 10 points, 2nd and 3rd place earns 8 points each, 4th and 5th place earns 6 points each.
    • If there are 6 or fewer shooters, then 6 points will be awarded to 1st place only.
  4. Once a competitor has reached 30 points, he or she will become a New York State Distinguished Shooter and will receive a NYPCA Medallion with his or her name and distinguished number engraved on the back.
  5. The following firearms for this event are acceptable:  For the Service Gun Match, NRA Rule 3.6 (Stock Service Revolver) and NRA Rule 3.7 (Stock Semi-Auto Pistol) (Smith&Wesson PPC9 is not allowed).  For the Semi-Auto Match, NRA Rule 3.5 (Distinguished Semi-Auto Pistol).  (Smith & Wesson PPC9 pistol, 5” or 6” will be allowed).
  6. Ammunition allowed: Service type ammunition, NRA Rule 3.17.2 is restricted to round nose, semi-wadcutter, and hollow point, no wadcutter allowed.

XII.    DESIGNATED TEAMS

An annual award for designated teams was discontinued in 2014.

XIII.    SEMI-AUTOMATIC PISTOL  This Section XIII, Semi-Automatic Pistol was discontinued in 2024

The purpose of the Semi-Automatic Pistol match is to encourage participation in the growth of the Association. It is anticipated that the Semi-Automatic Pistol match will act as a catalyst to bring new members into the Association and assist in fulfilling the Association’s purpose as stated in the Association By-laws.

  1. Individual members shall be eligible to compete in the Semi-Automatic Pistol match. Non-Association members may compete but only for match awards.
  2. Match sponsors shall provide trophies or cash awards by Lewis System, which being one (1) award per every five (5) competitors per class except at matches designated as “no-frills” matches. The Association awards shall be known as the Semi-Automatic pistol awards and will be awarded to individual members at the Annual Awards Brunch.
  3. The match sponsor shall send to the Association two dollars ($2.00) per shooter, per day, regardless of whether the shooter is or is not a member of the NYPCA. If a shooter shoots on the first day of the match and then also shoots on the subsequent day, an additional two dollars ($2.00) will be sent to the association.  In this example a total of four dollars ($4.00) is sent to the association.  The match sponsor only sends $2.00 per shooter, per day no matter how many matches he shoots during that day, nor how many disciplines he shoots during that day (PPC, service, semi-auto, etc).  These fees are where the association receives funding for annual awards.
  4. Individual member’s firearm for the Semi-Automatic pistol match will conform to NRA PPC Rule 3.3. The ammunition will be restricted to round nose, semi-wadcutter, or hollow point ammunition. Factory or reloaded ammunition may be used.
  5. The course of fire for the Semi-Automatic pistol course shall be the National Match course (match 5 of the 1500).
  6. To be eligible a member must have 6 scores fired in sanctioned matches in the competitive year.   The required scores shall be averaged and the highest required averages in each class will receive awards at the Annual Awards Dinner. Individuals firing scores in excess of the minimum required shall have only their highest scores averaged.
  7. Match Sponsors shall be required to offer the Semi-Automatic pistol match to every competitor at each sanctioned match, except at a designated Tactical Match where it will be up to the match sponsor to determine if they will offer any other matches.
  8. Individual members who fire more than one Semi-Auto score at any given association match may have a maximum of four scores count for annual association awards. In such cases, the first four fired scores will count.
  9. Annual Semi-Auto Pistol Awards shall be one per class unless more than five shooters qualify for an award in the class. All awards shall be certificates.

XIV.    HANK CARMONA MEMORIAL AWARD

The Association shall provide at the Annual awards Brunch an award that shall be known as The Hank Carmona Memorial award. The Association, by awarding this award, is honoring a long-time dedicated shooter who passed away during the shooting season. This award shall be presented to the individual Association member who has competed in the most number of sanctioned matches for the competitive year. If there is a tie for this award, such tie shall be broken using the following method: 1st – number of 1500’s scores fired, 2nd – number of service gun scores fired and 3rd – number of semi-auto scores fired. If a tie remains all those involved shall receive the award.

XV.    Tactical Match

The purpose of the Tactical match is to encourage participation in the growth of the Association. It is anticipated that the Tactical match will act as a catalyst to bring new members into the Association and assist in fulfilling the Association’s purpose as stated in the Association By-laws.

  1. The course of fire for the Tactical Match will be incorporating steel plates and/or paper targets. The Tactical Match course of fire will be designed to encourage use of modern-day tactics, movement, and execution.  Approved weapons for this match are the same as the service gun match. The tactical match must be 6 round neutral with no limit to the number of shots.  The match sponsor will set the course of fire.
  2. Tactical Match awards shall be based using the Lewis System. Starting with the 2016 shooting season a new annual award category, known as Tactical Match Awards, will be awarded to association members at the Annual Awards Dinner. To be eligible a member must have four (4) scores fired in sanctioned matches in the competitive year.  Again for 2024 because there are only 3 tactical matches scheduled the requirement will be two (2) tactical match scores.
  3. Tactical Matches will be offered on their own dates. Match sponsor will determine if they also offer any other match such as a service match.
  4. The match sponsor shall send two dollars ($2.00) per shooter, per day, regardless of whether the shooter is or is not a member of the NYPCA. See section X, C, for further clarification. These fees are where the association receives funding for annual awards.

Revised:  January 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024

Association Rules