Demopolis residents who may see armor-clad policeman around town need-not fear.

The city is not under siege. Demopolis is hosting a training class for tactical officers this week.

The Demopolis and Selma police departments are undergoing state SWAT Team Training through Friday at the Demopolis headquarters.

Demopolis chief of police Tommie Reese said officers would undergo live training exercises, including searching buildings and working hostage situations.

“(Yesterday) they were at West Alabama Prep. working on hostage scenarios,” Reese said.

Reese said the training exercise came about through his desire to better educate his unit and keeping their skills sharp. Soon, the Selma unit signed on and the week-long session was set for Demopolis to help defray costs.

Of course, one of the side effects of living in a small town and holding such sessions is the alarm that can be caused when the general public sees throngs off officers rushing into a building with guns drawn.

“Should you see officers outside wearing camouflage gear, don’t be alarmed it’s only training exercise,” he said. “The guns you may see aren’t loaded. We just don’t want anyone to see what’s going on an panic. Everything is fine.”