Credit: Lower Gwynedd Police Department.
Police officers must always be prepared for any situation, as their role often demands quick thinking, adaptability, and readiness to respond to emergencies at a moment’s notice.
For this reason, it's essential that police departments conduct drills and training to help prepare for any situation that may arise.
Recently, police officers from Lower Gwynedd Police Department and Whitpain Township Police Department came together for an intensive joint training focused on tactical medicine and active shooter response — two critically important areas of law enforcement that continue to evolve with today's public safety challenges.
Officers gathered at the old Siemens building, 1201 Sumneytown Pike, which is now abandoned, to conduct the drills and training. The goal is not only to enhance their tactical response, but also to sharpen their ability to provide immediate, lifesaving care under high-pressure conditions
"Departments from Lower Gwynedd and Whitpain were there in the morning for tactical training on medicine, which is on-scene self care for wounds, self-care for officers, or officers on location, that may get shot or injured, where we can help take care of their wounds on scene and mitigate the attack," said Lower Gwynedd Sgt. William Henry. "
A total of around 20 police officers participated. This was the first session of training, which will be followed by a second session to be held at a later date.
This type of hands-on, scenario-based training was made more realistic with the help of the community. Students from Gwynedd Mercy University’s Criminal Justice Club, Temple University, cadets from the Montgomery County Police Academy, and members of the Wissahickon Fire Company, were all on hand to make the experience as real as possible.
"We went over to the warehouse where we went over a couple scenarios for active shooters," Sgt. Henry said. "We had students from the Police Academy, Temple University, Gwynedd Mercy University, and the Weldon Fire Company who helped as role players."
These collaborative training sessions are held multiple times throughout the year and are designed to prepare officers for some of the most dangerous and unpredictable scenarios they may face in the line of duty.
"You never know when it's going to happen," Sgt. Henry said of these emergency situations. "We train several times a year with active shooters."
Tactical medicine is a specialized skillset that allows officers to render emergency medical aid to themselves, fellow officers, and civilians before EMTs or paramedics are able to reach the scene. From applying tourniquets and managing airway issues to controlling bleeding and moving casualties to safety, this training empowers officers to act decisively when every second counts.
The active shooter portion of the training focused on coordinated movement, threat neutralization, and rapid decision-making in simulated high-risk environments. These scenarios not only test an officer’s technical abilities, but also build communication, teamwork, and confidence under extreme stress.
"Officers from Whitpain Township PD and Lower Gwynedd Township Police Department conducted a joint training on various tactics to continue to set a high standard to protect our communities," Whitpain Township Police wrote.
"We would like to specifically thank Beacon Capital Partners for the use of the building," the Lower Gwynedd Police Department said. "ServPro of Warminster/Lansdale/Blue Bell and Anthony’s Pizzera in North Wales for providing lunch."
