HPD Conducting a Training Exercise
Not since 9/11 has any one criminal incident shaken the American people like the Newtown, CT massacre of elementary school students and their teachers at Sandy Hook School. Consequently, the threat of active shooters is on the minds of both the public and law enforcement. And perhaps now that so many people in law enforcement and the public are looking for ways to prevent active shooter attacks, it's time to rethink the way that we respond to these attacks.
Please be advised that the Holliston Police Department will be conducting a two-day training exercise at Holliston High School on Wednesday, August 14th and Thursday, August 15th during the day time hours. This training will involve a variety of simulated responses to “active shooter” scenarios in the school. This training is crucial to the on-going efforts of keeping students and staff (and our first responders) safe in our buildings.
The training will consist of classroom training followed by active role playing of various scenarios. During the scenarios, officers will be simulating their response to various situations that are presented to them, including drawing their weapons (with NO bullets), firing simulated “dummy” rounds, physically restraining a suspect, or actively searching for a suspect. The training will be conducted by members of the Massachusetts State Police STOP team; many of whom will play the roles of active shooter/intruders.
In short, these scenarios will look very, very real and may be startling. However, please be advised that this real-life type training is the most effective way to properly train our officers. We ask that you please refrain from entering the high school during the hours of 7AM-4PM on Wednesday 8/14 and Thursday 8/15, so that the training can be completed in the most safe and efficient way possible.
Holliston School Superintendent Brad Jackson stated that, “This training represents an important piece to Holliston’s comprehensive approach to school safety, where multiple departments, Police, Fire, and Youth and Family Services, work together with the school department on this crucial issue. I am grateful for the seriousness that the HPD has approached the issue of school safety. Holliston is truly lucky to be protected by such a professional group.”
Please follow the Holliston Police Department’s Facebook & Twitter pages for updated information about the training.