Wayland Police Take Part in High-Tech Firearms Training

All of Wayland's police officers, as well as officers from the neighboring Lincoln Police Department, took part in a unique form of firearms training recently when the Middlesex County Sheriff's Office parked its Mobile Training Center (MTC) behind Wayland Town Building.

The MTC is a trailer equipped with special video-based simulations that allow officers to interact with hundreds of possible, live-action scenarios using live ammunition. Officers are able to complete their annually required firearm re-certification through the MTC.

Wayland Police Department training sergeant Sean Gibbons said training in the MTC was "more interactive and realistic" than what has been available to officers in the past.

"Instead of paper targets, it's much more interactive," Gibbons said. "We don't know how the target is going to react. As a training sergeant, I want to have it here every year."

In addition to the improved training itself, Gibbons said the logistics of being able to train right in Wayland were also a benefit of the MTC. He explained that re-certification and training at the standard firing range requires the department to pay officers overtime as they cannot both train and be available to respond to calls in town. With the MTC, all of the officers training were also completing their regular shifts and were available to respond to calls if needed.

"It's great that the sheriff allows us to do this," Gibbons said. "There's no real down time."

The Middlesex County Sheriff's Office purchased the MTC in 2010 for just over $535,000, most of which was paid through a federal grant. According to the sheriff's office, 20 law enforcement agencies used the MTC in 2011 to train 966 officers. Twenty-five agencies had used the technology through October 2012 and had trained 864 officers.

While this is the first time the MTC has made a trip to Wayland, some departments have used it more than once.

"The Mobile Training Center is a valuable piece of equipment used to help law enforcement officials train," said Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian. "The scenarios available to officers accurately portray real life situations they could one day find themselves in, and the interactive capabilities of the technology allow them the opportunity to not only complete their firearms training, but also work on their verbal skills.

"I’m proud we are able to provide this tool to our law enforcement partners across the county."

The MTC came to Wayland at no cost to the police department, and Gibbons said he has already requested that it return next year.

For video from the training center as well as quotes from when it was introduced, check out this October 2010 article on Melrose Patch.