The noise inside the closed Four Peaks School on Saturday came from gun shots and explosions. Outside the shouts of protesters and counter protesters could be heard with numerous media outlets dutifully recording the activities.

The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office was conducting a day-long training session for its armed posse members in defending against schoolhouse shooters.

Sheriff Joe Arpaio said he set up the training after deciding to use posse members as a line of defense in the wake of the December mass shooting at the Sandy Hook School in Newtown, Conn.

Protesters outside Four Peaks were accusing the sheriff of grandstanding and using the Sandy Hook tragedy for political gain.

Protesters were organized by Respect Arizona, a committee currently working on an effort to recall Arpaio.

Among the protesters was Fountain Hills Councilwoman Ginny Dickey. She told The Times she supported the group and had signed a petition, however, she is not a member or part of the effort.

“(Arpaio is) sensationalizing the tragedy of Sandy Hook for political gain and publicity,” Dickey said. “As a 30-year resident, former School Board member and current councilwoman, I regret any role Fountain Hills plays in causing more pain and distress to the people of Newtown, a community similar to ours.

“Those who expect and deserve reassurance by a calm, professional public safety official, again got exploitation instead. This does not help us feel safe.”

Protesters also suggested the Sheriff’s Office had failed to communicate its intentions regarding the training with the School District or the neighbors.

School Superintendent Tom Lawrence said the district was notified of the training session Feb. 1.

“That’s when the request was made to use the Four Peaks site for the training,” Lawrence said. “They’ve used our facilities in the past for training without any incident, including the Four Peaks campus and the high school. That is the reason permission was granted.

“We were unaware of the media element until very late in the week. At that point it was too late to address whether or not we were going to pull the permission.”

Mayor Linda Kavanagh was present for the training session and voiced her objections to the position of the protesters.

“I am appalled these people would use this to protest the sheriff,” Kavanagh said. “The posse is here for training that will help protect the kids.

“(Protestors) are using this to advance their own political agenda.

“They need to get their priorities straight, it is kids first.”

Kavanagh penned a letter to the editor included in this week’s issue, and other letters came in as well.

In his remarks to the media gathered to observe training scenarios, Arpaio said the protestors made him very angry.

“All we are trying to do is protect the kids,” Arpaio said. “We are doing everything we can in using our volunteer (posse) force that costs the taxpayers nothing.”

Arpaio said he invited the media because, “I want everyone to know that we will be out there and ready to go into a school.”

Arpaio said he has more than 3,000 posse members total including 500 who are certified to carry arms. There were 50 participating in Saturday’s session.

Among Arpaio’s posse members is actor Steven Seagal, who was present for the training as an instructor.

Arpaio noted that Seagal is well recognized as an expert in self-defense and hand-to-hand engagement.

“I want to be part of a society that recognizes that its greatest asset is its children,” Seagal told the media. “Sheriff Arpaio should be praised for using (the posse) to support schools and the safety of children.”

Training

Inside the school, posse members were led through scenarios that had law enforcement confronting shooters in hallways and in the cafeteria/multipurpose room.

Members of the Sheriff’s Tactical Operations Unit conducted much of the training, running posse members through each scenario and then talking about how to do it better.

The posse members were armed with weapons loaded with “simunition,” which can pack a punch. The designated “bad guys” were heavily protected from getting struck by the fake ammunition.

However, at least two people received unexpected injuries including Fountain Hills Posse Commander Jeff Halmekangas. He was struck in the ear by a ricocheting shot, but was not seriously injured.

“(Getting hit) certainly adds realism to the scenario,” Halmekangas said. “That is what we want to prepare for.”

Halmekangas said he has been through four such training sessions and there is something new to learn as well as refresher information each time.

“The people in Fountain Hills have a dedicated group of posse members who want to be prepared for this situation should it arise,” Halmekangas said.

“Any posse member who carries a weapon should go through this training.”

Three members of the Fountain Hills Posse participated last Saturday, and there are seven more who will go through the training, according to Halmekangas.

Since the sheriff called on his posse to patrol in school areas, there have been four posse volunteers working from 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, Halmekangas said. That works out to 787 man hours.