GPD trains for lock down at GHS

— Photo submitted by the Guilderland Police Department

Practicing emergency response: Officer Matthew Hanzalik, left, and Investigator Brian Leach, right, enter the Guilderland High School, wielding mock guns made of hard rubber, during a drill. No students were in the school when the drill was conducted.

GUILDERLAND — The Guilderland Police Department held emergency response drills, including classroom instruction and active shooter exercises, at the Guilderland High School on April 17 and 21.

“It was a real, live, tactical operating type of drill,” said Captain Curtis Cox.

The police department partnered with the school district to practice their response to calls for school “lock down” or “lock outs,” according to a release from the department.

The drill also allowed officers to familiarize themselves with the new and enhanced safety measures and procedures that the school recently put in place.

Focus was placed on coordinated responses and communication issues, and the training identified areas that could be improved upon.

“We want to be as prepared as possible,” said Cox, this week. “This type of training is comprehensive.”

“We hope the need never arises where the officers have to rely on this type of training,” concluded the release. “This in-service training was an overall success.”

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