Video: Law Enforcement School In Columbus

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COLUMBUS, Miss.(WCBI)–There has been more shooting in Ferguson Missouri over the weekend. Coincidentally, a coalition of state and local law enforcement agencies are joining together to offer training at the first ‘school’ for area law enforcement officers. That school was held on the Mississippi University For Women campus today[Monday].

Members of the law enforcement community are all ears as they listen to expert advice on just how to respond, in situations where they may be called upon to use the option of drawing and firing their weapon while doing their job of keeping the public safe.

“So this coalition is formed and this training is formed to tell the officers what they should do in a life and death situation. Whats going to happen afterwards and for the coalition to say we’ve got your back,” said Tim Rutledge/Director of Training.

“It is important that all law enforcement they know the boundaries in which they work as they make decisions. Its also important for the citizens that law enforcement be well educated,” said Paula Broome/Special Assistant Attorney General.

This training school by the way was set up prior to another round of violent shootings occuring in Ferguson Missouri. You may recall the shooting death of unarmed Black teenager Michael Brown and it’s aftermath. Some attending this training on the MUW campus are saying Columbus is not Ferguson.

“I think it is more of a function of the co9mmunity and the police themselves getting along better,” said Forrest Allgood/Lowndes County DA.

“It was very coincidental, it was that Ferguson happened one year ago yesterday. But in the last years when all the scrutinies occurred, so we want to teach officers what might happen, what they should do,” said Tim Rutledge.

And with the addition of local and state law enforcers using body cams, there is often a clearer picture showing just whats occuring.

“Its on tape, we can prove this is what happened. And when officers wear body cameras we exonerate officers in more than 99% of the cases,” said Tim Rutledge.

Training officers also reminded law enforcers present of the reality of there being a wolf in sheep’s clothing among them.

A Lowndes County Deputy knows all too well the split second decisions that must be made when an officer is involved in a shooting.

Lt. Larry Swearingen has been involved in at least two shootings where he returned fire and shot at.

He says law enforcement never know what to expect and must rely on their training.

“Happens very fast you don’t have time to think about it you know. But after everything is done it it stays on your mind for awhile.”

The trial for Kenneth Coscia, the man accused of shooting Lieutenant Swearingen and deputy Clint Sims, is scheduled for May 20-16.