Belmont Police and the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office announce the completion of interactive, scenario-based training

Belmont Police Chief James MacIsaac and Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian announced today at that 36 local officers recently completed scenario-based training facilitated by the sheriff’s office.

The training sessions were conducted on-site in Belmont from April 11-15. 

Utilizing the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office Mobile Training Center (MTC), Belmont officers were put through a series of video-based scenarios focused on the effective use of de-escalation skills.  The training – held in mid-April – included a heavy emphasis on communication skills and officer safety.  Following each scenario, trainers and officers from the Belmont Police Department discussed assessed each response.

“This scenario-based training supplements the extensive training that officers across Middlesex County receive on a yearly basis. It requires participants to use the full range of their skills to resolve situations with the least amount of force required and provides instructors the opportunity to offer immediate and comprehensive feedback that officers can take straight back into the field,” said Sheriff Koutoujian.  “We’re proud to be able to work with Chief MacIsaac and his team to ensure members of Belmont PD could participate in this valuable training.”

“We are very appreciative of these training sessions provided by Sheriff Koutoujian and the feedback I have received from officers is that this type of scenario-based training is instrumental to them in terms of improving on their de-escalation and decision-making skills,” said Chief MacIsaac.

In 2021, the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office worked with 32 agencies to facilitate the training including the Bedford, Billerica and Concord police departments.

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