Department Training

OWATONNA POLICE DEPARTMENT—2018 Annual Report

Department Training

The 2018 Owatonna PD Firearms Training Unit consisted of six members: Sergeant Jason Matejcek (Coordinator), Certified Instructors: Sergeants Andrew Drenth and Joshua Sorensen, Officers Benjamin Johnson, Jesse Ackerson (resigned Nov. 9) and Andrew Van Osdale.

Each of the certified firearms instructors have assigned specialized duties within the unit. The instructors train, test and evaluate the officers under the mandated training requirements set forth by the Minnesota Peace Officer Standards and Training Board (POST). Each licensed officer must qualify in the use of their department issued handgun, shotgun and patrol rifle. In 2018, the training unit conducted three trainings including: Close Quarter Battle (CQB) - Force on Force Building Clearing, Vehicle Close Quarter Battle (VCQB) and a combined annual low light / inclement weather training. The instructors strive to replicate realistic situations and scenarios through a variety of ways in order to induce stress. This method of training, known as stress inoculation training, conditions officers to overcome and minimize the negative physiological and psychological aspects of a deadly force situation. One way that the instructors train officers to have a winning mindset is by utilizing scenario-based training where the instructors and officers utilize simunition (non-lethal) rounds and role players. Officer Ackerson resigned from the Owatonna Police Department to become a deputy with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. Officer Ackerson was a valuable asset to the Firearms Unit due to his firearms knowledge and experience, along with his military and SWAT background. He will certainly be missed.

In 2018, the South Central Drug Investigation Unit’s Tactical Team (SWAT) was comprised of about 24 team members from 11 different agencies within Steele, Freeborn, Waseca and Faribault counties.

The primary goal of the tactical team is the safety and preservation of all human life. The team is a support group that aids local police departments and sheriffs offices through the use of their specialized trainings and equipment to resolve high-risk, critical incidents that are beyond the capabilities of local authorities.

Officer Jesse Ackerson – Team Leader Detective Joel Hunt – Assistant Team Leader Detective Matthew Oeltjenbruns – Sniper / Operator Officer Zackary Schumaker - Operator

Department Training

The Use of Force Unit is comprised of three instructors: Sergeant Josh Sorensen, Detective Matt Oeltjenbruns and Officer Travis Ardolf. The instructors have received specialized instructor training in SPEAR, L.O.C.K.U.P., TASER, Less Lethal and ASP curriculums. Our agency has outfitted each sworn officer with an X2 Taser. Officer Ardolf and Detective Oeltjenbruns instruct our taser training and take care of maintenance and downloading data when these units are deployed.

In 2018, the instructors dedicated four full days of training to provide a minimum of eight hours of continuing education to all sworn police officers. Our community service and reserve officers also receive annual training from the Use of Force Unit. One of our training highlights was an environmental drill at the gun range. We incorporated ground fighting into an induced stress/fatigue drill and had each officer enter a live range firing all three weapon systems immediately following these exercises.

Along with mandated training, the Use of Force Unit works with newly appointed employees a minimum of five hours to review policies, procedures, state statutes and our current training curriculum. Throughout the year, our instructors gave presentations to the Citizen’s Academy and Owatonna Leadership Academy groups. Looking forward to 2019, additional training techniques will be added to the program.

All officers assigned to the team maintain a high-level of proficiency through attendance of monthly training days in order to comply with the National Tactical Officers Association’s monthly training hour recommendations. Team members participate in the annual three day Special Operations Tactical Association conference to compete against other tactical teams throughout Minnesota and to learn the latest trends in tactical techniques. The SWAT team was called out to respond to five incidents in 2018.

In September 2018, all of our licensed officers trekked to the SE Minnesota Regional Public Safety Training Center in Rochester to complete a continuing education requirement. They participated in the driving portion of a course that focuses on police pursuits and emergency vehicle operations. Prior to the driving practicum, officers took an on-line course that focuses on legal and policy issues, pursuit tactical options and other critical components of emergency vehicle operations. In the State of Minnesota, licensed officers are required to complete an eight hour police pursuit and emergency vehicle operation course once every five years. In the photo, Officer Zack Schumaker is navigating a backing exercise.