By Jeff Murphy,
April 17, 2020
WARRENSBURG, MO 鈥 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.
鈥淭he 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,鈥
Lowry said. 鈥淲e will need to follow all CDC guidelines for social distancing and other
safety measures.鈥
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.
鈥淭he 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,鈥 Lowry said.
Lowry expressed his appreciation to local emergency response agencies for the assistance
CMPA receives year-round to benefit cadets.
鈥淲e 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,鈥 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鈥檚 mobile trailer and use of portable
radios.
鈥淭roy 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.鈥
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鈥檚 website at .