Published: Nov. 30, 2021

If you see a large number of police officers in the Williams Village area Dec. 6–10, there’s no need to be alarmed. It’s all part of a regional training hosted by the FBI in partnership with the Ƶ Boulder Police Department (ƵPD). The training will be based at the Village Center and in Darley South, in unoccupied spaces.

Ƶ 30 law enforcement personnel are expected to attend the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training () taught by Texas State University response experts. Officers from ƵPD, Boulder Police, the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office and other local agencies will be on campus for the training, which will focus on coordination in response to large-scale emergencies.Darley South Towers

“While there’s no need for concern, we do want to be good neighbors and inform our campus community that this valuable training is taking place,” said ƵPD Chief of Police Doreen Jokerst. “These types of events can and do occur in our community. This type of training helps ensure the safety of all Boulder residents, as agencies are able to practice and fine-tune their coordinated response efforts.”

Several measures are being taken to minimize impacts of the training on our campus community:

  • The vast majority of the tactical training is indoors in a building that is currently unoccupied.
  • The training is limited to 30 participants.
  • Signage will be posted throughout the week to remind students and staff of the training.
  • Student services and dining in Williams Village will not be impacted by this training exercise and will be open as originally planned.
  • Parking for students and staff will not be impacted.
  • For more information about campus resources, events and support services for students during finals, visit DZǰ./ھԲ.

Williams Village and Bear Creek Apartment residents and staff, as well as residents of the nearby neighborhood, may notice officers both inside and outside the Village Center and at Darley South. Police officers may be in uniform and will be carrying their issued firearms. Several marked police cars will be parked nearby.

While most of the training takes place in an indoor classroom setting, outdoor training exercises designed to simulate real-life scenarios will also occur. Passers-by may hear raised voices as officers communicate with one another during the outdoor portion of the coordinated training. They may also see officers approaching Darley South with simulated weapons. Outdoor training areas will be clearly marked with caution tape and signage, and will be confined to an area close to Darley South. Only authorized personnel are permitted to enter the training area.

ƵPD and local law enforcement agencies collaborate on this type of training regularly to ensure coordination in response to large-scale events. The last such training on the Ƶ Boulder campus came in 2019. The King Soopers shooting in Boulder further highlighted the need for agencies to engage in coordinated response training. Ten people lost their lives in that incident, including a Boulder Police officer.

Village Center operations will not be impacted, and students can eat, study and conduct their normal activities in the area during the training. Printed and digital signage will be displayed in Williams Village and the surrounding area before and during the training, to remind students of the extra police presence. The outdoor exercise areas will be clearly marked, and local media will be asked to publicize the training for neighborhood awareness.