Essex County Sheriff’s Department partners with Middlesex Sheriff’s Office to complete interactive training

Essex MTC Visit87 members of the Essex County Sheriff’s Department (ECSD) have completed an interactive firearms training organized in conjunction with the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office (MSO), Sheriffs Kevin F. Coppinger and Peter J. Koutoujian announced today.

The training was held on the MSO’s Mobile Training Center (MTC), a specialized trailer that allows officers to practice their responses to critical incidents. MSO officers who operate the MTC can offer unique scenarios for each user to test their firearm, communication and de-escalation skills. 

“We are proud to share this resource with our law enforcement colleagues at ECSD. Our agencies regularly participate in trainings together, from our Crisis Intervention Training program to continuing education opportunities for staff, but this represents a new avenue for partnership,” said Sheriff Koutoujian. “This training allows officers to work through real life scenarios and practice their responses to a serious incident, all while receiving constructive feedback from ECSD instructors and MSO officers.”

The MTC was stationed at the Middleton House of Correction from April 22 – May 3. ECSD staff practiced scenarios specifically tailored for the environments that deputies operate in, such as construction details which may involve a traffic encounter and inmate transportation.

“Providing the most advanced training to our correctional officers is a priority of our department. We continually strive to provide high quality, situational training to our officers. Sharing this interactive training platform is an example of how Sheriffs’ Departments in the Commonwealth collaborate for the benefit of public safety,” said Sheriff Kevin Coppinger. 

In 2018, 19 police departments were trained through the MTC. So far this year, nine agencies – including the ESCD – have utilized the MTC for at least one week of training.

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