SUMMERS COUNTY, W.Va. – Sheriff’s deputies in Summers County are in the process of receiving more training to help prepare for potentially dangerous situations they may face in the line of duty.
Tim Adkins, the Chief Deputy for the Summers County Sheriff’s Office says deputies are getting more training to deal with potentially hazardous situations. That can include everything from having an active shooter to dealing with a suspect barricaded inside of a home.
Adkins says the sheriff‘s office is trying to change the culture and offer more specialized training to deputies.
He says while the sheriff‘s office doesn’t have a dedicated unit to handle these specific types of situations, they‘re hoping this training is another tool deputies can use if they’re in a life or death situation.
“There‘s everything from room clearing tactics to firearms training or even physical standard training so that everyone kind of stays in shape. It’s better for their health and better for the department together,” said Adkins.
Adkins says he has been helping with some of the trainings but they are also relying on outside groups to prepare them as well. He says the sheriff’s office has also been working to upgrade their equipment.
Adkins says they recently made sure their firearms were up to par and they have also purchased a ballistic shield for deputies to use if needed.
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