LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) – Law enforcement officers from across the region came together this week to prepare for the worst situations that could occur at any time and place.
The Allen County Association of Chiefs of Police held a multi-agency active shooter training for the first time in more than a decade. The last event of its kind took place about 13 years ago.
This year, Lima Memorial Health System provided space undergoing renovation for the training, giving 60 officers the chance to sharpen their skills under the guidance of the Ohio Tactical Officers Association. The two-day program focused on strategies and tactics used during active shooter situations.
“Cops have big egos by nature, and that kind of what helps us to do our job in an effective manner, but coming to a training like this and realizing what you don't know and what you can take home and what you can bring to your agency, even just small things that make us better out there as a whole, that's a win,” said Ben Altenbach, Chief Ranger JAMPD/Allen County Association of Chiefs of Police.
“My hope is out of this entire training is that we continue to move forward with our response to active aggressors through our community, as we all know, active aggressors throughout the throughout our nation right now has become an epidemic, and we're hoping that this training will get all of the officers on the same page. So when we do respond, even though we're from different agencies, we're responding in identical fashions,” said Rick Sanchez, LMHS Chief of Police and Security Manager.
The training at Lima Memorial also gave officers the opportunity to work in an unfamiliar setting.
“Hospitals have oxygen systems running through their walls. They have oxygen tanks in rooms. They have a lot of other issues that they have to deal with. One thing about a hospital is they have a tendency to use a lot of acronyms that are very similar. So if we're giving directions to officers, they could be easily confused and go to the wrong area during a response,” Sanchez added.
The training was offered free of charge through the State of Ohio, the Attorney General’s Office, and the Ohio Tactical Officers Association.
