Use of excessive force by law enforcement is a hot topic across the country, with several cases in the news, including in Minnesota.

And, there are a growing number of incidents of violence against police officers, as well.

There is no reason Faribault County would be immune from such incidents, but a special annual training session will hopefully help local law enforcement personnel be prepared for whatever might happen.

“This is our annual ‘Use of Force and Defensive Tactics’ class,” says Faribault County Sheriff’s Department chief deputy Scott Adams. “We are required to take classes like this for our law enforcement license continuing education.”

This one might be a little bit different than ones held in other Minnesota counties, because it was being sponsored by, led by, and held in the business place of, the county attorney.

“This is certainly important training,” says Faribault County attorney Troy Timmerman. “Especially in light of what is going on in many places with law enforcement cases which are being reported in the news.”

The class was being held over a two-day period last week, Wednesday and Thursday. About half of Faribault County’s law enforcement personnel attended on Wednesday, the other half on Thursday.

The officers spent the morning in the classroom, then spent a grueling four hours at Timmerman’s Tae Kwon Do facility on Blue Earth’s Main Street.

There they were instructed by Paula Meyers, a special defensive tactics instructor from the Twin Cities. She is a KRAV maga instructor and martial artist. She was assisted by county attorney Timmerman.

The peace officers were taught how to protect themselves, take control of any perpetrator or attacker, disarm them and render that person immobile. The training includes such things as handling someone trying to get the officer’s weapon, among other things.

“She (instructor Meyers) has taught us a lot of ways to use defensive tactics in a manner that helps us take control of the situation,” Adams says. “She shows us how to do it, then we practice it over and over.”

Adams also said it is an important extra benefit that the county attorney helps with the instruction.

“Troy instructs us how we should respond to situations,” Adams says. “We learn what is right and what is not and what he expects.”

Of course, there is the main objective of keeping officers and the public safe. So, much of the class is spent on defensive tactics, but there is still instruction on using deadly force when necessary.

Adams says there is even a concern for officer’s safety while they are in the class practicing the moves.

“We use to use real weapons and just unload and plug them,” he says. “Now we use plastic replicas. Less chance of getting injured by even getting hit with the weapon accidentally. And less chance of damaging the weapon itself.”

Timmerman feels the class is extremely beneficial for the local law enforcement officers.

“This is a great way to train and learn to be prepared,” he says. “So it is well worth having it every year.”