Willimantic police and special ops
May 16—WILLIMANTIC — When responding to an emergency situation, such as a person who has barricaded themselves in their home, it is important for officers to be calm.
Officers participating in training last week learned the importance of having strong communication skills when responding to tactical situations.
" You can see the constant communication," Willimantic Police Lt. Matthew Solak said during the training on Tuesday.
Training for the newly- regionalized special operations group ran from Monday through Friday. It was held at the old Connecticut Light and Power building across from Oriental Cafe on Main Street.
" This is a basic, five- day preparatory course," Solak said.
He said the building is also used by the law enforcement council for K-9 and officer safety training. On Tuesday, officers learned about how to respond to tactical situations within a building using simunition, or non-lethal training ammunition.
" A lot of this has to do with really effective movement, as well and, of course, safety is paramount," Solak said while at the training.
He said there is a perception of tactical environments being " very intense," but it is important for tactical officers to be calm in those situations.
POLICE, Page 4
