It's important that law enforcement agents know how to defend themselves and handle situations when attempting to arrest a defendent.

That's why on Tuesday and Wednesday the Carbon Couny Sheriff's Department, and the Juvenile Probation and Adult Probation offices went through a defensive tactic training course. The training session was coordinated by Carbon County Sheriff Dwight Nothstein and Joseph Hager, defensive tactic instructor, and held inside a vacant home in Palmerton, owned by the Aquashicola Fire Company.Nothstein explained that the purpose of these drills is to make sure the deputies and officers are ready and prepared for any situation to arise when serving arrest warrants, protection from abuse orders, during drug raids, and searching homes."Each situation is different," he said, noting that these drills are scenario drills where the deputies role play different situations.The training session consisted of searching for and arresting criminals in their home, handling firearms and hostage situations, covering all points of entry and dealing with combative individuals.During the drills, deputies were suited up in protective gear before acting out a scenario so that they would be protected. One officer was then the combative individual who would hide or resist arrest. The drills were videotaped for review and Nothstein evaluated each drill to make sure everyone was using the proper procedure to take a person into custody.Nothstein explained that by using an actual house to conduct the drills, the deputies were able to recreate real events that could happen when they enter a home to arrest a person.Deputies go through simulation training like this numerous times a year, Nothstein noted, adding that the sessions are usually held in the Carbon County Courthouse.Lt. David Midas, court security instructor, added that this was the first time the Sheriff's Department used a vacant home for the drills.Nothstein and the Sheriff's Department thanked Fire Chief Rory Koons and the fire company for allowing the department to use the home for practice.The Carbon County Sheriff's Department handles about 200 arrest warrants annually.