CENTRE — The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office recently hosted training for area law enforcement. Specifically, the educational and practical exercises dealt with procedures for alleviating the threat of an active shooter. 

Unfortunately, these type incidents are increasing in number across the United States, and many agencies do not have their own SWAT teams.  These training tactics are vital for saving time and lives. Instructors from the Houston County Sheriff’s Office, the Alabama Marine Police, and the Montgomery and Slocumb police departments are traveling the state to provide training for various law enforcement agencies.   

The training is funded by the Department of Homeland Security, according to Sheriff’s Office Chief Investigator Bo Jolly, who coordinated the seminar in Cherokee County.  

“Their goal is to train every officer in the state,” Jolly said. 

Officers from the Cherokee and Etowah County sheriff’s offices, along with officers from the Centre, Leesburg, and Fort Payne police departments, the Marine Police, and the Alabama Probation Office participated.   

The Cherokee County Sheriff’s office would like to thank the Board of Education and the Cherokee County Commission for the use of the former middle school and the multi-purpose room to host the training.  

“This training was a great opportunity for all local law enforcement agencies to work together as a team on tactical skills that are needed to perform their duty to serve and protect our citizens,” said Cherokee County Sheriff Jeff Shaver.