The program, which started in April and runs through the rest of May, involves facilitators from police departments in the town and city of Poughkeepsie, the New York State Police, Dutchess County Law Enforcement Academy, Dutchess County Association of Chiefs of Police, and the Arlington Central School District.
The training is being spearheaded by the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office
The goal is to “equip as many police officers as possible with the latest tactics to handle any tragedy,” said Capt. Gerard Lennon, president of the Dutchess County Association of Chiefs of Police.
Lennon defined an "active shooter" as an individual who is trying to "kill and injure as many people as possible in as short a time as possible."
The realistic, scenario-based training also aims to improve inter-agency teamwork and communication during such incidents, he said.
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