State Police Air Wing touches down for special visit to Dighton Middle School

Daniel Schemer, The Taunton Daily Gazette
·2 min read

DIGHTON — The wide-mouthed look of astonishment on many of the students’ faces when a State Police helicopter flew overhead and landed on Dighton school property said it all about the excitement level Friday morning.

Dighton Middle School got a great pre-Memorial Day weekend treat on Friday, May 26, when officers from multiple units from the Massachusetts State Police descended on the main field for a one-of-a-kind exhibition.

“At the end of the day, this is about showing our appreciation for the love and support we get from the communities,” said Trooper Jesse Walker, community liaison for the Massachusetts State Police, in attendance.

Besides the Air Wing unit flying in via helicopter, other specialized units of State Police making an appearance this included Special Emergency Response Team (SERT), Special Tactical Operations (STOP) Team, Underwater Recovery, and the Marine Unit.

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“Not only is this safety presentation a highly engaging, informational and interactive experience for our students, but this also serves as a career exploration opportunity,” said Christina McGourty, assistant principal for Dighton Middle School.

The middle school population was staggered according to grade for the event, and then divided up into groups. Once outside, each group moved between exhibits as they got to learn about the responsibilities of each police unit, as well as engage in a touch-a-truck-style interaction with the vehicles and equipment used on a daily basis.

Besides the Air Wing helicopter, students responded enthusiastically to the Lenco Bearcat SWAT armored vehicle, the Marine unit boat, diving equipment from the Underwater Recovery unit, and riot gear from SERT, which were allowed to be handled.

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Trooper Walker said while the State police do events like this all across the Commonwealth, “it’s a rare occurrence” when you get multiple state police units together, like the amount at Dighton Middle School, because there’s always a high possibility an emergency or sudden mission could supersede a community visit and call them away.

Walker added the state police also wanted to “incorporate local police and fire so the community could see all the badges work together,” which is why Dighton Police and Dighton Fire departments were also in attendance, with Dighton Fire doing their own touch-a-truck with two of their vehicles.

McGourty added the school district hopes to make this an annual event.

This article originally appeared on The Taunton Daily Gazette: Massachusetts State Police helicopter visits Dighton Middle School