trained Mayor Lori Hohenleitner and the Atlantic Highlands Borough Council praised Police Chief Scott Reinert and the police department at their last weeks meeting, highlighting the facts that several police officers recently completed more training in a variety of fields of expertise and education.
The commendations led VeniVidiScripto to delve deeper into the amount of additional trainings these officers complete on a regular basis and why Chief Reinert feels it is so important that his department keeps up with the most advanced methods in a variety of areas of expertise.
Reinert said it is true that every month several officers attend an array of trainings which are either mandated by the state or can be considered officer specific.
“In a small department the amount of training can sometimes be overwhelming but definitely necessary,” the chief explained. “ The law enforcement profession is constantly evolving and the skills and knowledge required to effectively deal with these challenges necessitate an expanded level of education and training to do so.,” he said. “ Officers have to be well rounded and know a little bit about everything from legal compliance, safety, professionalism, technology, mental and emotional wellness, de-escalation tactics, emerging threats and community-oriented policing to name a few.”
In all departments, the chief continued, annually every single officer must complete Firearms Requalification’s, Use of Force training and Vehicular Pursuit training semi-annually. Domestic Violence training is also required every year along with Community Law Enforcement Affirmative Relations (CLEAR), biased based policing, blood borne pathogens, hazardous materials, Cell Block Management, Legal Updates Training, Active Shooter Training, Security Awareness Training, Defensive Tactics Training and Narcan Training. “There are also trainings that need to be taken every two years,” he continued, “including Right to Know, CJIS Training and Mechanical Force Training.” In addition to all of these, every three years officers also have to receive training in Ethics, Harassment in the Workplace, Handling the Mentally Ill, Alcohol test Training (aka Breathalyzer) and Radar. Training.
Still, that is not the end of training for Atlantic Highlands police officers. Reinert said there is “more and more every year” as systems, methods, educational methods and regulations change.
Besides the mandates listed, there are areas in law enforcement in which each officer specializes and develops better skills through more training. If an officer shows a strong interest into any specialized topic, Reinert said “I try to do my best to get them involved in that area.” Since he himself is “not a subject matter expert in every field of law enforcement “, noting the vast variety of areas there are, “if I can build up the people around to me to specialize in certain areas I think we all win as a department and as a community. “
It was Sgt. Brian Phair’s training lasts month that prompted the queries to Reinert.
The office completed one week of training in New Mexico. As a member of the Monmouth County Rapid Deployment Force (RDF) and Commander of the unit, Phair and the RDF respond to emergency situations that include Monmouth County Emergency Response Team (MOCERT) activation’s, natural and man-made disasters, school and workplace violence, crowd control, demonstrations, incidents of civil disobedience, missing person and open area suspect searches. Members must go through a rigorous try-out to ensure their physical condition.
Our department has two officers on the team, the chief said. Phair and Ptl. Scott Chenoweth, both of whom will respond anywhere in the state if needed for the above situations, with most calls for service within Monmouth County. In addition to that, the team will also play a role in the FIFA World Cup later this year. Sgt. Phair’s recent week long training went into extensive detail on Tactical Response to Suicide Bombing.
“This training may sound disturbing or someone may not want to think of this situation,” the chief said, adding, “ but in plain words, it’s our reality and needs to be prepared.”
Upon his return, Sgt. Phair said the training was one of the best experiences he ever had in training and had nothing but good things to say about the week.
During the first week in February, Ptl. Patrick Anderson attended Alcohol test Recertification Training, Sgt. Phair and Ptl. Chenoweth attended Rapid Deployment Force Training; Sgt. Phair attended Alcohol test Recertification Training and all officers received training with the new department-issued hand guns at the Middletown Township firing range.
Sgt. Phair’s week long training in New Mexico was provided free of charge.
Also during February, Sgt. Travis Sodon attended Commercial Vehicle Familiarization Training and Alcohol test Recertification training, Lt. Michael Zudonyi and Chenoweth attended active shooter training and Lt. Zudonyi and Ptl. Davi Cunha completed Cadet Training with AH police Cadets.
The borough’s department is comprised of one captain in addition to the Chief, one lieutenant, four sergeants, one detective, seven patrolmen, one special officer and one records manager.
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