Walpole Police Officers Train For 'Active Shooter' Scenarios

Note: Information provided by the Walpole Police Department.

For two weeks in May, Walpole Police officers conducted a variety of life-like training scenarios simulating "active shooter" incidents.

The Columbine High School tragedy is an example of an active shooter incident, where armed perpetrators enter a building and actively kill, or attempt to kill people in a confined space.

Walpole police have continued this ongoing training for several years, conducting in-depth training in the schools, using life-like scenarios and simunition weapons. Simunitions are similar to paintball ammunition; however, unlike paintball, officers train using their model firearm and magazines, but the rounds fire a low velocity paint cartridge.

Led by Lt. Fred Leland and the Walpole Police Firearms Instructors, officers engaged a variety simulated active shooter incidents. At the end of the scenarios the officers discussed the tactics used, and how they could be improved.

Officers had the chance to play both "good guys" and "bad guys" to give them a perspective from both angles and increase the training experience. Training of this quality is priceless and gives officers the opportunity to improve their skills in a safe environment, using the most life-like scenarios possible.

Above is a picture of the training, and shows bystanders fleeing the area, and responding officers covering the hallway while the bystanders are searched. View the photo gallery above for more photos from the training.