Detective Bureau

PATROL DIVISION

TRAINING

Defensive Tactics Instructors

Sergeant Sorensen, Officer Seifert, and Officer Oeltjenbruns are the defensive tactics instructors for the Owatonna Police Department. Sergeant Sorensen has been instructing use of force for seven years, Officer Seifert for three years, and Officer Oeltjenbruns was added this past year. These instructors have received specialized training in defensive tactics and follow the Pressure Point Control Techniques (PPCT) training curriculum. The S.P.E.A.R. (Spontaneous Protection Enabling Accelerated Response) system was taught for a second year in a row that focuses on the principle of startle response.

This year, the instructors dedicated three full days of training to provide a minimum of eight (8) hours of continuing education to all sworn officers of the Owatonna Police Department. Training was conducted at the Community Center and the National Guard Armory.

The instructors not only teach the tactics but help officers understand the physiological effects of the body and how that can affect an officer’s reaction or physical response. Defensive tactics instructors also utilized scenario based training strategies to assist with training officers using Redman suits. This form of stress inoculation training allows the officers to practice delivery and placement of strikes, kicks, stuns, and take down techniques that normally cannot be practiced in firearm scenario based training due to the greater probability of injury. In addition, the participants can experience the human factors associated with use of force engagements, such as: increased heart rate, fatigue, exhaustion and how their body performs at different levels of deterioration.

Because the TASER is recognized as a valuable tool to obtain subject compliance, to effect the arrest and/or to control non-compliant, potentially dangerous, aggressive, or assaultive subject(s) while minimizing injury to the officer/subject, the agency has outfitted each sworn officer an X26 TASER. Officer Seifert and Oeltjenbruns are both TASER instructors and take care of the maintenance and downloading of data when these units are deployed.