BILLERICA, Mass. – Forty-four (44) members of the Billerica Police Department (BPD) recently completed four days of interactive, scenario-based training in partnership with the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office (MSO), utilizing the office’s Mobile Training Center (MTC), Police Chief Daniel Rosa and Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian announced today.

The MTC is a specialized trailer that allows officers the ability to train for real-life situations and scenarios utilizing video simulations of incidents they may encounter during their duties, with a heavy emphasis placed on communication and de-escalation skills. BPD officers who participated in the training went through a series of scenarios focused on domestic disturbances, mental health crises, traffic stops and threats to schools.

“The MTC is an invaluable and unique training tool,” said Sheriff Koutoujian. “The MTC requires officers to utilize the full depth and breadth of their training and allows departmental instructors the ability to provide immediate feedback to officers on each scenario. We are proud to once again be able to partner with Chief Rosa and our Billerica Police Department colleagues to make this training available.”

“We are grateful for the partnership and support we continually receive from Sheriff Koutoujian and his staff at the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office,” said Chief Rosa. “This type of training is invaluable in keeping our officers’ knowledge, skills and abilities at a high level of development. Thanks to the unique features of the Mobile Training Center, our officers are able to use their actual tools in real-time scenarios with an emphasis on de-escalation as the preferred outcome. We consistently receive positive feedback from all of our officers after the training.”

The MTC was purchased by the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office with federal grant funds in 2010 and has been utilized by numerous local municipal and university police departments. In 2020, more than 875 officers participated in trainings in the MTC.

Billerica PD – MTC2: A member of the Billerica Police Department participates in a traffic stop scenario inside the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office Mobile Training Center during the week of February 14-20. Photo courtesy of the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office

Billerica PD – MTC Group: Middlesex Sheriff’s Office Officer Edward Welch (from left to right), Billerica Police Patrolman Rich Avant, Police Billerica Police Chief Daniel Rosa and Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian during a visit to the Mobile Training Center. Photo courtesy of the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office