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

Fifty-five (55) members of the Waltham Police Department (WPD) recently completed two weeks of interactive, scenario-based training in partnership with the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office (MSO), utilizing the office’s Mobile Training Center (MTC), Police Chief Kevin O’Connell and Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian announced today.

This marked the fifth consecutive year Waltham PD had utilized the MTC.

Between July 5-16 members of Waltham PD participated in skill building exercises as well as virtual scenarios that allowed officers the ability to train for real-life situations and scenarios through simulations of incidents they may encounter during their duties.

“This partnership that we have developed with the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office has become an integral part of our training program at WPD,” said Chief O’Connell. “The Mobile Training Center gives our officers the opportunity to develop new techniques, while honing de-escalation and other tactics that have been utilized by WPD for years. I want to thank Sheriff Koutoujian and the men and women from the MSO for providing us with this unique training opportunity that helps to make every police encounter safer for not only the officers, but for everyone involved.”

The MTC is a specialized trailer that allowed officers one-on-one time to work directly with WPD instructors and MSO deputies.  WPD officers who participated in the training went through a series of scenarios focused on mental health crisis, nighttime traffic stops and domestic disputes. All of these scenarios placed focus on de-escalation tactics and complete tool utilization.

“Each day Waltham police officers – and officers across Middlesex County – work to keep our communities safe,” said Sheriff Koutoujian. “As Chief O’Connell noted, the partnership between Waltham PD and the MSO ensures that local officers have the opportunity to participate in the interactive, scenario-based training that is available on the MTC.  This collaboration is just one critical example of the way the MSO and our local partners work together day-in and day-out to protect our residents.”

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 500 municipal officers from agencies including the Arlington, Bedford and Malden Departments.

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