Sheriff's Office, Highway Patrol, Newark Police join for rare combined training
CROTON − The threats were not real, but the situations are common, the decisions could be life-saving and the collaboration is vital for local law enforcement agencies.
The Licking County Sheriff's Office, Newark Police Department and State Highway Patrol joined together for an unprecedented training operation this week at the Hartford Fairgrounds. There were also two police officers from Mansfield and one from Lexington, Ohio.
The three-day training included 15 instructors and 19 officers in simulated situations, such as a domestic violence call, traffic stop and a man making threats in a retail store. Officers responded to the various threats as they would in their jobs, then listened to instructors’ analysis of their performances.
Licking County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Chris Barbuto said the idea for the combined training was partially a result of the September shooting hoax at Licking Valley Schools.
“On that scene, Newark responded, we responded, OSP came, and everyone went in thinking it was a real thing,” Barbuto said. “We built things into our dispatch after that incident, so no matter of it’s a school or Walmart or a nursing home, there’s questions the dispatch needs to be reminding officers of. Some things we didn’t even think about are now a major priority.”
One unexpected occurrence at Licking Valley was a parent responding to the scene with a firearm. In the future, Barbuto said, there will be an enhanced focus on the perimeter, as well as the source of the alleged threat.
Newark Police Sgt. Doug Wells said the Licking Valley response required communication among various agencies and also keeping focus despite personal feelings.
“A sergeant and officers’ kids went to Licking Valley and they’re responding to that scene,” Wells said. “So, you’re responding knowing that your kids are in that building. You still have to go and do what you have to do, even though, I’m sure, as a father or mother, you want to find your kids and protect them. That made it rough on a lot of our officers.”
Highway Patrol Lt. Jonathan Davis said it’s important for officers to realize that just because they have the legal right to respond in one way, doesn’t mean that’s the best response.
“Everybody deals with stress differently,” Davis said. “Everybody is able to control their emotions differently and that’s something we’re working on in training here. We’re putting these officers in stressful situations, so they can learn to better control themselves to be able to help somebody in need.
“The key to law enforcement is balance. You literally got to be able to balance everything. You got to balance safety, your safety, their safety, how you respond to a call.”
Barbuto said communication is key among different law enforcement agencies on different radio channels. Each agency has a little different perspective, with Newark dealing with a more urban environment, the Sheriff's Office more rural communities and the highway patrol out on the highways.
“As three different agencies, we’re forcing these younger officers, and some veterans, to come in and work together and formalize your plan," Barbuto said.
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This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Sheriff's Office, Highway Patrol, Newark Police join for rare training
