Liberty PD at the ready

For the Liberty Police Department, the safety and welfare of the community come above all else, and the training necessary to do what is required is cardinal.

Members of that agency, along with other first responders like the Liberty Fire Department, assembled at Liberty High School on Friday, Aug. 5, to run exercises in a real-world scenario like an actual school environment.

“We put together a full first responders training. We did it for dispatchers, fire department, anybody that has a role,” said Sgt. Leonard Johnson.

The program was put together by sergeants Johnson and Chris Watson, under the oversight of Lt. Chip Fairchild.

“This is one of those situations From Page 1

we are trying to make sure the City of Liberty is safe, the Liberty Independent School District, and we put together a training for us to go in and better equip ourselves to protect the schools the best way possible,” Watson continued, “what better way than to actually physically train in the school.”

While both officers hope that a situation in a school setting never arises, they want to make sure that the entire department is always at the ready from the top down.

Both Watson and Johnson are instructors in active shooting situations and have been conducting these types of classes for several years.

“ This is nothing new. We’ve had these classes and put people through the training. This is the first time we’ve used the school,” said Johnson.

Johnson spoke on the department’s commitment to the community and that, unfortunately, this type of training has gone on for years out of necessity to be ready for the worst-case scenario.

Watson emphasized that everyone in the department was constantly undergoing some form of training and that it was constant. That includes assignments from Fairchild almost weekly, with assignments online through PoliceOne Academy, amongst other avenues.

Johnson went on to point out the importance of this training session had a twofold purpose, as it was needed for the entire department, but also with a number of new officers on the force, ensuring they understood their role and how to perform appropriately.

Neither wanted to elaborate on how other departments have handled these issues, or make the mistake of exact scenarios, as they both feel that past events across the country are all unique in their way.

“ Those situations will probably never be the same, so you just have to go in and be prepared for the battle,” said Watson.

According to Watson, they are here to prepare officers in Liberty on how to protect this community, including being ready to go in at any time, even if an officer finds themselves alone.

“ What we’re teaching is solo engagement. We’re teaching not to wait,” Watson said.

Engagement and preparation in any situation by law enforcement is of the utmost importance, especially with the scrutiny officials in Uvalde, TX, have been under following the tragic events at Robb Elementary.

“We’re not going to Monday morning quarterback. I have no earthly ideas why any of those officers did what they did. I can’t tell you if they were right or wrong. The only thing I can tell you is that our response is going to be the first officer on scene; he will engage solo,” said Johnson.

Johnson elaborated that Liberty trains officers for the absolute worst-case scenario, and their officers will keep the community safe and be prepared to react under any scenario.

“ Whether it’s one officer or a hundred, we’re coming to get you,” Watson exclaimed, “if they are bold enough to go into our schools and harm our kids, no if’s, and’s, or but’s we’re coming to get you!”

Both men want to assure the parents of children in Liberty that they are here for their children no matter the circumstance.

“I want each parent in this community to understand one thing. If something happens at one of these schools, we are going to stop any type of violence that’s going on in that school,” said Johnson.

Johnson was very complimentary of the support they receive from the leadership team at the department and the continued support that allows them to conduct these types of training sessions.

“We thank our leadership for allowing us to put these trainings together. They trust us enough to know that we love this community together first,” said Johnson.

Finally, both men wanted to make abundantly clear that the City of Liberty stands together and is always on the ready to keep everyone safe.