Medford Police Department partners with MSO to complete interactive, scenario-based training

Middlesex Sheriff Peter J Koutoujian and Medford Police Chief Jack Buckley today announced that nearly 100 members of the Medford Police Department have completed interactive, scenario-based firearms training utilizing the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office (MSO) Mobile Training Center (MTC). Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian (from left) and Middlesex Sheriff’s Office Assistant Deputy Superintendent Eugen Massa recently joined Medford Mayor Stephanie Muccini Burke, Medford Police Lieutenant Vincent DiStefano and Medford Police Chief Jack Buckley to discuss scenario-based training Medford officers were completing with the assistance of the sheriff’s office.

The MTC is a specialized trailer that allows officers to practice their responses to incidents ranging from traffic stops to workplace and domestic violence situations. MSO officers who operate the MTC can offer unique scenarios for each user to test their firearm, communication and de-escalation skills.

The MTC was posted outside Medford City Hall from September 23 – October 4, allowing officers from across the Medford Police Department to participate in the training alongside departmental instructors who were able to provide immediate feedback. Each officer participated in a variety of scenarios they may encounter on a daily basis, such as traffic stops and calls for individuals acting suspiciously.

“The Middlesex Sheriff’s Office is committed to supporting and assisting our local public safety partners,” said Sheriff Koutoujian. “We were proud to have worked with Chief Buckley and his team over the past two weeks to make this valuable scenario-based training available. We look forward to continuing to work closely with the chief and Mayor Burke on this and other initiatives moving forward.”

“I am so very appreciative of Sheriff Koutoujian and the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office for their continued partnership,” said Chief Buckley. “Because of this relationship, the Medford Police Department was able to provide valuable life-like scenario based training that enhanced our officer’s ability to de-escalate potentially violent situations. The ability to lean on our law enforcement partners for shared resources is the key to continuous training in a budget friendly manner.”

“I’m grateful to Sheriff Koutoujian and the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office for providing the hard working women and men of the Medford Police Department with such an important training tool,” said Medford Mayor Stephanie Muccini Burke. “This type of modern day training improves the skill set of police officers when facing dangerous situations.”

The MTC was purchased by the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office with federal grant funds in 2010 and has been utilized by numerous local municipal and university police departments in, and around, Middlesex County. Thus far in 2019, 20 agencies have utilized the MTC for training including the Malden and Acton Police Departments and the Essex County Sheriff’s Department.

This is the first time Medford PD has utilized the MTC.

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Photo Caption: Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian (from left) and Middlesex Sheriff’s Office Assistant Deputy Superintendent Eugen Massa recently joined Medford Mayor Stephanie Muccini Burke, Medford Police Lieutenant Vincent DiStefano and Medford Police Chief Jack Buckley to discuss scenario-based training Medford officers were completing with the assistance of the sheriff’s office.