Somerton, AZ- Some officers are working up a sweat at a multi- agency defensive tactics training class.
"You throw punches, they throw punches, it hurts. You're wearing padding it tones it down a bit but you're still going to feel the blows and in the field you're not going to have padding so it's a good way to get ready," says Travis Owl an officer participating in the defensive training.
The Cocopah Tribal Police Department hosted the 2 day training at the Cocopah casino. The classes started Wednesday and continued through Thursday.
The purpose of this training is to provide officers with the necessary tools which can be utilized when officers face situations which could threaten their physical well-being.
Officers are being pushed to the limit with very physically demanding exercises and they also had classroom time where they were reminded about legal issues involving their type of work.
According to the James Spurgeon the Cocopah Tribal Police Chief , officers are required to participate in annual training. This course covered topics including body mechanics, force delivery, personal defense, ground defense, weapons defense and more.
"Sometimes in our profession were sitting in our car maybe even after eating a big burrito or lunch or something and the next thing you know your chasing a man down the street who is faster younger and in better shape than you. Then when you catch him you have to place him into custody. If he takes flight we want to make sure we have all the advantages as possible in our hands," says Spurgeon.
Spurgeon says it's very beneficial for officers in our county to collaborate and build relationships because there are times when the different agencies have to work together.
"There are many instances in a close nit county like this where you may have a criminal or criminal enterprise cross jurisdictional boundaries from Yuma into Somerton or into wherever. It really facilitates an investigation when we can pick up the phone and call a specific person and ask for them on a first name basis and let them know what we got.
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