Editor’s note: Following is a press release from the Hopkinton Police Department.

Hopkinton Police Chief Joseph Bennett and Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian today announced that 24 members of the Hopkinton Police Department recently completed interactive, scenario-based training utilizing the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office’s (MSO) Mobile Training Center (MTC).

The training was conducted March 22-26 in Hopkinton.

The MTC is a specialized trailer that provides officers the ability to train for situations they may encounter during their daily duties. Adaptive video scenarios displayed within the trailer require officers to use a host of skills — particularly communication and de-escalation — to resolve them.

“The ability to train our officers using real-life scenarios that evolve based on the officer’s use of their communication and de-escalation skills is invaluable,” said Chief Bennett. “We are grateful to Sheriff Koutoujian and his staff for making this opportunity available to our department.”

Over five days of training, members of the Hopkinton Police Department participated in scenarios that focused on traffic stops, disturbances and calls where mental health was a primary factor.

“The MTC’s interactive capabilities require officers to use the full range of their training and experience to respond to scenarios they may be called on to deal with during any shift,” said Sheriff Koutoujian. “Critically, the setting also allows Hopkinton Police Department instructors to provide immediate and constructive feedback that officers can take right back with them on that shift.  We’re proud to work with Chief Bennett and HPD on this important training.”

In 2020, more than 875 officers took part in training on the MTC.   To date this year, the MTC has already been used by a number of agencies including police departments in Acton, Concord and Bedford.

The MTC was purchased by the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office with federal grant funds in 2010.