Central Missouri Police Academy Benefits from Protective Mask Donations

 

WARRENSBURG, MO – While social distancing is requiring Central Missouri Police Academy (CMPA) to make adjustments in its training procedures, local agencies on the front line in helping to slow the spread of COVID-19 are lending a hand through the donation of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for use by cadets.

The academy recently received a number of protective masks that were made possible through Western Missouri Medical Center (WMMC) and Johnson County Emergency Management Agency (EMA). Taking part in the presentation were Kim Lockard, WMMC emergency management director; Troy Armstrong, director of the Johnson County EMA; and Brandon Myers, EMA operations chief, who made a personal donation of N95 masks.

According to CMPA Director Tim Lowry, in making the contributions, these local organizations recognized the importance of preparing qualified law enforcement personnel to serve during emergency situations. Training to prepare cadets for their career field and to protect the communities they serve is needed, especially in times like a pandemic.

Lowry said the academy received approximately 50 surgical masks, and also has obtained through donations about 40 other protective masks. This is in addition to rubber gloves CMPA previously received from other individuals and groups.

“The masks are for the future when we are able to go to our hands-on training, and they will help in the safety precautions that we will need to take during this pandemic,” Lowry said. “We will need to follow all CDC guidelines for social distancing and other safety measures.”

As the cadets train for the future, Lowry said it is important that they learn about the equipment they need to use to protect themselves.

“The cadets also will become accustomed to having to do typical police work while wearing masks and gloves, which at this time has become the norm for law enforcement officers,” Lowry said.

Lowry expressed his appreciation to local emergency response agencies for the assistance CMPA receives year-round to benefit cadets.

“We have always been able to work closely with Emergency Management. The cadets are able to see what a great asset that they are for us now, and also when they go out into their jobs in law enforcement, the resource that they can be,” Lowry said.

The valuable working relationship between CMPA and local emergency responders has included giving cadets an opportunity to see drones and other equipment and how it can be used in emergency situations; simulations related to evacuating buildings in an emergency; and demonstrations related to EMA’s mobile trailer and use of portable radios.

“Troy Armstrong and the rest of his staff have always stepped forward and have been willing to help whenever they could with the learning projects that we have here at the academy, Lowry said.”

Part of the Missouri Safety Center at UCM, Central Missouri Police Academy is a 600-Hour POST Licensed Training Center law enforcement academy developing well trained, competent graduates seeking a career in law enforcement through full-time and part-time classroom options. Learn more by visiting the safety center’s website at www.mosafetycenter.com.