Dunstable Police Get Legal Updates During Training

Committed to staying informed about changes to laws and updates in current criminal procedures, Dunstable police completed a Law Enforcement Liability In-service Training, March 5 at the police station in Leicester. The Massachusetts Interlocal Insurance Association (MIIA), property and casualty insurance provider for all 13 of the participating towns, provided the training during a full-day session, which not only educated the 33 participating officers, but also can help minimize potential liability issues and save money on the towns' insurance premiums.

The eight-hour session covered latest developments in motor vehicle and criminal law and helped clarify jurisdictional procedures faced by officers in their day-to-day jobs. Training participants learned how to best address vehicle stops out of town, handle misdemeanor suspects from other towns, and deal with off-duty jurisdictional issues. They also heard about new cases related to Operating Under the Influence and receiving a stolen vehicle, as well as discussed developments in a range of crimes such as obstruction of justice, sexual offenses, domestic violence, gun possession, and drug and alcohol related offenses. Participants examined procedural updates related to vehicle stops, strip searches, Miranda rights waivers, and human trafficking.

According to Dunstable Police Chief James Downes, the MIIA training was "current and well delivered with a strong focus on legal risk management."