More than 55 town police get scenario-based training via sheriff's office

Details: By Morgan Rumpf; Category: Police; Last Updated: 02 June 2021; Hits: 222

In front of mobile training center are, from left, Select Board member Eric Helmuth, Town Manager Adam Chapdelaine, Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian and Police Chief Juliann Flaherty.

Members of the Arlington Police Department recently completed two weeks of interactive, scenario-based training in partnership with the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office, using the office’s mobile training center.

From May 17 through 28, more than 55 Arlington police officers participated in skill-building exercises as well as virtual scenarios that allowed officers to train for real-life situations they may encounter during daily duties.

Scenarios that officers focused on included domestic disturbances, night-time traffic stops and one where mental health was an underlying factor. Officers additionally trained on bank-robbery response and an active-school shooter situation.

The training center allows officers to go through the scenarios and immediately debrief and receive one-on-one feedback from Arlington police instructors and sheriff's deputies.

Police Chief Juliann Flaherty said in a June 1 news release that her department was grateful to be a partner with Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian “for the opportunity to use the simulator to complete this training.

“Over the past two weeks, APD officers have been able to train in real-life critical scenarios using the de-escalation tools and skills they have previously developed through the Integrating Communications, Assessment and Tactics Training."

Koutoujian added in the release: “I want to thank Chief Flaherty for the opportunity to once again partner with Arlington PD to offer this valuable training. I also appreciated the opportunity to speak with Town Manager Adam Chapdelaine and Select Board member Eric Helmuth during a visit where they were able to see this training firsthand.”

In 2020, more than 875 officers participated in trainings in the mobile training center. To date this year, the center has been used by more than 350 municipal officers from agencies, including police departments in Tyngsborough, Billerica, Bedford, Concord, Acton, Hopkinton, Stoneham and Medford.

The Middlesex Sheriff’s Office purchased the center with federal grants in 2010.