Instead of painting eggs, the local RCMP will be shooting paintballs as part of specialized tactical training after the Easter long weekend.
RCMP members from all across southern Alberta will come to Cochrane between March 29 and April 1, to train at St. Timothy School as part of the Immediate Action Rapid Deployment (IARD), developed by the RCMP in response to the increase of mass shootings in North America in recent years.
“It’s something we have been doing nationally for a while. Given the present environment with school shootings, the RCMP are trying to be as proactive as possible to bring this training to their officers,” explained Cochrane Sgt. Jeff Campbell.
IARD will train local detachment members to act quickly when responding to volatile or life-threatening situations, such as a hostage situation or if there is a possibility of someone being gravely injured or killed.
“People will see officers with simulated weapons drawn and entering into the school – there will be no kids in the school while we are doing this,” Campbell explained.
The ultimate goal of IARD is the safety of the public. The training will teach officers how to engage with threats such as active shooters, and how to take whatever action they deem necessary.
The local school will be empty during the exercise, giving officers the space needed for training. Nearby residents or people passing by might hear simulated gunshots but officers want the public to know that what they will see or hear around St. Timothy School during the four days is only a drill.
Any gunshots that might be heard are simulated with paintball rounds being shot, officers explained.
“This is just a response to what we’ve been doing for such a long time – we are finally bringing the training to the officers here,” Campbell said.
