Loughborough College students have been praised by police for their help in tactical training.
Scenarios including simulations of the aftermath of a terrorist incident and a road traffic collision saw public services student at the centre of the action with firearms officers from Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire Police.
During recent visits to Enderby headquarters, group were asked to assist Leicestershire Tactical Dogs and Firearms Unit with their training programme and were given the chance to tour the facilities, including the armoury and firearms response vehicle.
Officers were tested in a simulated night club complete with flashing lights, loud music and a smoke machine to create a scene following a terrorist incident and in a simulation for a road traffic collision. In a domestic incident scenario they made a tactical entry to a building. Across all simulations they had to demonstrate advanced first aid training to deal with injuries, including from gunshots and knives, with the Loughborough College students acting as casualties as they used tourniquets, oxygen masks, tracheal tubes and defibrillators.
Students were then given a tour of the armoury and firearms range or ‘bullet catcher’ and they were shown a range of both legally held and criminal firearms, including a ‘belt buckle gun’ and a concealed ‘pen gun’. One officer activated a Taser stun gun, showing the effects on his own arm.
Loughborough College students were also shown the firearms response vehicle and the equipment on board, such as the enforcer, sometimes referred to as the big red key and used to gain rapid entry to properties.
“Students then saw first hand where the 999 and 101 calls are answered,” said Loughborough College public services lecturer Fiona Strang. “They also saw how resources are allocated to deal with live incidents - all in the Contact Management Department. The visit gave the students an excellent insight into a range of areas they are studying as part of their qualification.”
“Being involved as casualty actors helped the students understand the role of specialist police departments, which is useful for their course and as they plan their careers. It also offers them the chance to make a contribution to this important training, which may save lives in the future,” added public services lecturer Anthony Louch.
Firearms Training Manager Dave Patterson said: “The lead instructor was very impressed with the students’ attitude towards the session and found them extremely helpful in adding to the realism of the event. Some of the students even played dead extremely well! “
Pictured: Loughborough College public services student Charlie Whyman with an enforcer during recent visits to Leicestershire Police Headquarters