Jackson police participate in active shooter training
JACKSON, Tenn. — New recruits with the Jackson Police Department learned how to take down a gunman on Friday. Officers participated in an active shooter shooter drill at the University of Memphis Lambuth Campus.
“These things can happen anywhere,” Captain Mike Siler said.
Thirteen new recruits learned to locate, identify, and take down a gunman.
Siler oversees training and serves as Homeland Security liaison for the department. “This stuff is going to continue,” he said. “I don’t see it ending and these guys and gals need to be prepared for it.”
Police said every officer within the Jackson Police Department must go through active shooter training. “If the call does go out they have to be prepared,” Siler said. “They have to be educated and they have to be able to respond.”
Police said when it comes to active shooters every situation is different. Officers encourage people to be vigilant and aware of their surroundings.
“If it doesn’t look right, call us and let us know,” Siler said. “If it does not look right, it’s probably not.”
Siler said the department tries to do this type of training every quarter if possible. The department said the new recruits are scheduled to attend the police academy in January.
