For Immediate Release
Monday, March 17, 2013
Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 781-791-7627
Email: [email protected]
Burlington Police Officers Complete Special DEA Drug Lab Training Program
BURLINGTON – Police Chief Michael Kent announces that two Burlington Police Officers have graduated from a special training course offered by the Drug Enforcement Administration designed to help police investigate and ultimately shut down illegal drug laboratories.
The course, entitled “DEA Basic Clandestine Laboratory Certification School” is the most widely-recognized police-sponsored drug lab training course in the U.S., and it is offered to municipal police officers free of charge.
“Secret drug labs are an unfortunate reality in this country, and police everywhere have to be ready to respond to such a crisis,” Chief Kent said. “While we are fortunate in Burlington not to encounter this situation regularly, we must be ready for anything. We are grateful that the DEA provides this advanced, hands-on level of training to police.”
The training has a strong focus on safety. Clandestine drug labs present a tremendous danger for police officers and firefighters who respond to their locations. Because of the unique circumstances involved in investigating and raiding a clandestine drug lab, the DEA determined in 2000 that there was a need for hands-on, tactical training for municipal police. The training also included the use of air purifying respirators and self-contained breathing apparatus, which are vital in these kinds of situations.
The course is also designed with a “train the trainers” aspect, allowing the attending Burlington officers to bring these valuable lessons home to teach other first responders.
Burlington Police Officers Vito Costa and Sage Costa attended the course in Quantico, Va.
The Clandestine Laboratory training program also furthers the Burlington Police Department’s mission is providing high-level police response and investigative services on a regional level to other departments in the North Eastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (NEMLEC) and throughout Middlesex County and Eastern Massachusetts.
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