Berkley Street School to Host Police Training

If you happen to drive past Berkley Street School on August 11, 12 or 15, don't be alarmed if you notice emergency vehicles and a heavy police presence.

The New Milford Police Department will be running emergency drills to train its members on how to respond to an active shooter in a building.  With the exception of one janitor, no school staff, students or members of the community will be in the school when the drill is performed.

The Bergen County Prosecutor's Office mandates that all police officers receive standardized training as the first responders to such a call.

NMPD Chief Frank Papapietro said, “The goal is for officers to find the threat, isolate it and neutralize it.”

The drills will be conducted during the late afternoons and evenings. Officers will practice how to eliminate an immediate threat by doing room entries, clearing areas where someone can hide and more.

Papapietro said when appropriate, officers will use “simunitions”, a paintball type technique that allows them to train for possible use of their weapons.

The drills are being coordinated by several NMPD officers including Det. Sgt. Frank Ramaci and Officers Nelson Perez, Darrell Marshall and Keith Wester.