The Chickasha Police Department held its annual Active Shooter and Terrorist Action Training classes allowing officers to get a fresh perspective on new tactics used by shooters.

First Baptist Church was the site of the “mock shooter scenario” Friday.

Airsoft training guns were used to simulate live rounds allowing for a “more realistic” approach to the training said Assistant Police Chief Elip Moore.

“We have had a great turn out and I think the officers who came out for the training session really learned something,” said Moore.

“Having the opportunity to practice these situations with other counties is key when it comes to building a relationship.

If one of the smaller towns call on us for mutual aid, for example if AM-PO or Anadarko had an active shooter at their schools, then our departments have worked together to build the trust level needed to make the situation work as smoothly as possible.”

“The shooters that have committed these horrible shootings like at Virginia Tech and Columbine were in and out relatively quickly. Most of the time the shootings are over within 10 to 15 minutes. With time being so important, this allows us to immediately engage the suspect,” said Moore.

The CPD was joined by several other law enforcement agencies including, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Verden Police Department, Anadarko Police Department, Minco Police Department, District 6 Drug Task Force, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigations, and others.

Administrators from 45 schools from across the county were active in some of the training scenarios.

The Chickasha Fire Department also had an opportunity to participate learning the essentials to entering an active crime scene to help with casualties.