All University policemen are taking a four-week course in pistol shooting and defensive tactics.

Robert Tonis, University police chief, said he began planning the training program two-and-one-half years ago and had not been influenced by recent incidents. But he said that he hoped the training would prevent any repetition of cases like the disarming of a patrolman by a Cambridge youth last month.

Cambridge Police Lt. Chester Hallice will conduct 12 two-hour sessions in the rifle range over the University Printing Office in Allston. Each university policemen will attend for eight hours.