Police to conduct training exercises in Butterfield, Dickinson
The UMass Amherst Police Department will conduct active shooter training for all police officers during four weekends in July and August.
The training is for officers who may be faced with incidents similar to those that have occurred across the country in college and university settings, according to Deputy Chief Patrick Archbald. The sessions are being held on weekends to minimize the impact on the campus community.
Training will be conducted in Butterfield Residence Hall and Dickinson Hall and police officers will not enter individual office spaces during the exercises. Both buildings will be closed during the training times to protect the public and ensure the integrity of the training, said Archbald.
The sessions are scheduled for 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the weekends of July 11-12, 18-19 and 25-26 and Aug. 1-2.
The training sites were chosen as they provide long hallways, classrooms, closets and multiple floors. Using different buildings also helps officers become familiar with various facilities, said Archbald.
Police officers will be using simunition training rounds approved by the National Tactical Officers Association. “These sound similar to real bullets being fired but use crayon-like material to show where the rounds land and can be washed away,” said Archbald. “UMPD staff will be responsible for cleaning the area after each training exercise.”
UMPD will provide site security to prevent anyone from inadvertently entering the buildings and floors during these training.
Questions or concerns may be directed to Deputy Chief Patrick Archbald at 545-3800.
More Information
Read UMPD notice
July 1, 2009.
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