UPD Hosts On-Campus Training with Jonesboro Police
JONESBORO – In a continuing effort for safety and security drills, Arkansas State University's Police Department hosts an on-campus training exercise with the Jonesboro Police Department on Tuesday, May 3.
The combined training provides training on entering and clearing homes, and will put to use several of currently vacant transitional houses on the east side of campus.
"This is opportunity to get a last use from these smaller homes before they are removed from campus," Bill Smith, A-State spokesman for UPD said. "Both our police and Jonesboro PD have the opportunity to practice entering buildings without concern about damage."
The joint drills with JPD and UPD begins at 8 a.m. at the homes near Arkansas Hall. The training area is not open to the public, and will mainly be on Choctaw Street.
The campus can expect to see numerous police officers and vehicles, including the JPD SWAT team. There will be noises from practicing breaching doors.
Later in May, A-State will conduct an evacuation drill at the Dean B. Ellis Library and ASU Museum on May 25.
"Both events are part of our on-going work to remain prepared for emergencies," Smith added.
This continues a campus practice of utilizing facilities before they are removed. Several weeks ago, UPD worked with JPD and its K-9 units on search techniques at the transitional housing units that were cleared to make way for the completion of the Marion Berry overpass project. Before Twin Towers was demolished, building clearing drills similar to this week's exercises were conducted.
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