U.S. Attorney’s Office Co-hosts Officer Safety And Survival TrainingOver 400 Massachusetts Law Enforcement Received Training This Year

BOSTON – The United States Attorney’s Office in partnership with the Holden Police Department, the New England State Police Information Network® (NESPIN), and Anna Maria College hosted VALOR® Officer Safety and Survival Training for over 200 local and state law enforcement officers. The training is sponsored by the Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) and facilitated by the Institute for Intergovernmental Research (IIR). In April, IIR provided the training to over 200 Massachusetts law enforcement officers at Hanscom Air Force Base.

The Preventing Violence Against Law Enforcement and Ensuring Officer Resilience and Survivability (VALOR®) Specialized Program is a one-day BJA grant-funded training designed for front-line law enforcement to promote officer safety and to help prevent injuries and deaths to officers in the line of duty. During the training, participants learn to identify signs of emerging threats such as detecting concealed weapons and armed gunman. Additionally, officers gain knowledge of the mental and physical skills necessary for surviving high-risk tactical situations that may involve armed shooters. And most importantly, officers receive a critical review of emergency casualty care to respond to self-injuries and those of fellow officers. Taught by experienced law enforcement professionals from around the country, the VALOR® Program combines relevant sets of best practices with real-world experience.

“Our law enforcement officers face tremendous risks each day to keep every citizen safe,” said U.S. Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz. “It is their job to respond to unpredictable situations that may require them to put their safety in jeopardy. So it is incumbent upon us to reduce preventable injuries and deaths by emphasizing officer safety and appropriate training. The VALOR® Program aims to do just that by training officers in the most up-to-date techniques and procedures.”

Holden Police Chief George R. Sherrill said, “It is a pleasure to host this valuable training to the central Massachusetts law enforcement community. Officer safety training is so valuable and necessary as we respond each and every day in our communities. Special thanks to Anna Maria College President Jack Calareso for offering Anna Maria College as a host site."

“NESPIN and the RISS Program are proud to be a long time partner with the VALOR Program which brings vital officer safety training to our law enforcement officers, not only here in New England, but for officers throughout the United States,” said Donald Kennedy, Executive Director of NESPIN.

This training would not have been possible without the Holden Police Department, Anna Maria College, NESPIN and the staff at IIR.