With constantly evolving technology and procedures, training is an essential part of a police officer’s job. Columbia Police Department continues to provide officers with training so the officers are prepared for any situation that may arise.
Assistant Chief Drew Conn and Officer Travis Bell have both taken the active shooter response course taught by the Department of Criminal Justice Training. This 40-hour course is designed to teach officers how to appropriately respond to active shooting situations.
The course also focuses on scenario-based exercises that replicate real life situations. The officers are trained on how to respond alone or with a team to clear buildings and find the threat.
“If you are the first one there, you are entering. You aren’t waiting on anybody,” said Bell.
The course teaches officers different tactical methods of breaching doors. Officers use these methods throughout the course in different scenarios.
The course also teaches officers how to communicate with each other in a scenario where multiple agencies may be responding. This is a vital safety measure to prevent an officer from being shot.
Assistant Chief Conn and Administrative Sergeant Trevor Foster attended Norse Tactical Swat I, which teaches tactical firearms, mechanical breaching, close quarters tactics and techniques for clearing structures. This course was taught by military special operations from several branches and experienced law enforcement agents.
“The purpose of me and Trevor going to the Swat I training was to learn tactics and bring it back to the department and train others on what we learned,” said Assistant Chief Conn.
Other agencies across the state who have SWAT teams use Norse Tactical to train their teams. They are a highly regarded for their specialized training programs.
The police department has a drone that can be utilized in barricade situations where there is not an immediate threat to life. Drones can provide the surveillance necessary for officers to enter and apprehend the subject without spending hours in a standoff.
On Tuesday, June 24, TJ Health Columbia in cooperation with the Columbia Police Department conducted an active shooter training. In this scenario, the officers were called to a shots fired complaint inside the building.
“We didn’t know where the threat was so we had to clear all the doors until we heard another shot and then we move in the direction toward the sound of the shots. The goal is to preserve lives,” said Officer Bell.
The perpetrator was played by Officer Elliot Smith. Chief Evan Burton observed the training. This was a realistic training session but there was no threat to the safety of anyone in the community.
“I would like to personally thank TJ Health Columbia for their partnership, Chief Burton said.
These trainings are vital for the officers to use the skills that they have learned and practice them regularly. The department is always looking for places to use for training. If anyone has a location available, contact Chief Burton at the Columbia Police Department to discuss it.
By Amy Pike
amy@adairvoice.com
