Officers with the campus' Department of Public Safety and Resident Life staff members took part in lectures and training scenarios with deputies from the Frederick County Sheriff's Office. The training began Tuesday and ended Thursday.

"We just want to be as prepared as possible," said Michael Taberski, dean of students. "We want to make sure we are ahead of the curve. We want to be prepared for anything."

Cpl. Rick Winer, supervisor of the sheriff's office evidence unit, gave a presentation to the group on how to preserve a crime scene.

Cordoning off the area, restricting all nonessential personnel from the scene and keeping a log of who goes in and out were three of his tips.

While Winer spoke, Cpl. Mike Grunwell set up scenarios for staff members to help them recognize a potential crime scene.

He set up a vacant dorm room with clues of the possible sexual assault including an unattended drink, a package of condoms and duct tape by the doorway. Grunwell also stashed a gun in a bathroom trash can where a person was found "dead," and he hid a fake police badge behind the refrigerator.

The groups also participated in an active shooter practical exercise involving a campus lockdown and evacuation.

R. Barry Titler, the Mount's director of public safety, said officers regularly attend training during breaks in the school year. This is not the first time the Mount has partnered with the sheriff's office on training exercises.

Officers also did in-service training, including a lecture by Titler on traffic stops and getting recertified on using pepper spray.

By training together, the sheriff's office and Mount are taking proactive steps to ensure public safety, said Cpl. Jennifer Bailey, sheriff's office spokeswoman. She said the students will feel safer, and the parents of students will have peace of mind, too.