Police unit drills response to riots and armed criminals

The State Police Special Tasks Battalion held tactical exercises at the Mežaine military base in Kurzeme to test its readiness to quell mass disturbances and neutralise armed criminals, LSM reported, citing Latvian Television.

The base has facilities for training in an urban environment. One exercise scenario involved armed attackers entering a school, taking hostages and prompting gunshots and screams. As people were evacuated, the attackers were detained and first aid was provided, while curious onlookers gathered at the scene.

In another scenario, young people organised a peaceful protest over shortcomings in education. Hooligans also arrived, aiming to provoke a riot.