Chelmsford Police Department, Middlesex Sheriff’s Office partner on interactive, scenario-based training

Forty-three (43) members of the Chelmsford Police Department (CPD) recently completed four days of interactive, scenario-based training in partnership with the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office (MSO), utilizing the office’s Mobile Training Center (MTC), Police Chief James Spinney and Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian announced today.

“I want to thank Middlesex Sheriff Koutoujian as well as his training staff for all their assistance during our department training,” said Chief Spinney. “This type of interactive, scenario-based training is more critical than ever providing officers with realistic interactions promoting effective decision making.  This high-level training would not have been possible without the collaboration and partnership between the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office and the Chelmsford Police Department.

The MTC is a training tool that allows officers to use interactive, scenario-based technology to train for situations they may encounter during their daily duties.

Officers participated in scenarios which placed an emphasis on de-escalation techniques.  The scenarios included a domestic disturbance call, traffic stops and a situation involving an individual in mental health crisis. Officers also trained on response to an active shooter school scenario.  

The MTC allows officers to immediately debrief following each scenario and receive one-on-one feedback from CPD instructors and MSO deputies.

“Collaboration and training are critical elements to keeping our communities safe,” said Sheriff Koutoujian “and we’re proud to work with Chief Spinney and our Chelmsford Police partners to make this interactive, scenario-based training available.”

The MTC was purchased by the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office with federal grant funds in 2010.  In 2020, more than 875 officers participated in trainings in the MTC.  To date this year, the MTC has already been used by over 400 municipal officers from agencies including the Billerica, Tyngsborough and Westford Police Departments.

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