The Hays Police Department will be conducting training Tuesday, October 22nd between 1:00 PM and 7:00 PM at 517 W. 19th.  The training will include HPD officers as well as Ellis County EMS crews.  Officers will use special tactical equipment to conduct the realistic training exercises, which are being held at the unoccupied residence.

Assistant Police Chief Brian Dawson told Hays Post that this training is a part of the department’s monthly training.  He said that the goal is to give teams a chance to do training in an unfamiliar building instead of the usual facilities.  The location may be beneficial to personnel, but it also means the department needs to ensure the public is aware this training is taking place.

“Since this one is in the residential [area], and they might be walking around with their rifles out and their shields practicing, somebody driving by might go ‘oh my gosh, what’s going on?’  So that’s why we put the notices out just to give people a heads up that we are going to be having training; this isn’t a real call.”

Dawson added that officers will be using paint rounds and most of the tactics/training will take place inside the building, though it’s possible residents will see officers moving from a vehicle to the building, working on entries, or exiting the building.

Training signs will be posted around the specific training area.  Residents with questions or concerns may contact the on-site supervisor (designated by a reflective green vest), or Asst. Chief Dawson at 785-625-1030.