University Police Employ Latest Techniques, Strategies in Active Shooter Training
Thu, 08/25/2016 - 03:04pm | By: David Tisdale
University of Southern Mississippi police officers recently trained with colleagues from Forrest General Hospital using the latest nationally recognized best practices developed to respond to an active shooter situation.
The training took place at the former Pine Haven apartment complex on the Hattiesburg campus. Members of the Hattiesburg Police Department also conducted active shooter training earlier in the month at the University.
University Police Department (UPD) Captain Charles Chandler, commander of the Patrol Division, said recent active shooter situations, including those aimed at law enforcement officers in Baton Rouge and Dallas as well as international terrorist incidents, have increased the need for police to be even more prepared and vigilant.
The training used was a research-based course provided through ALERRT (Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training). ALERRT was founded in 2002 as a partnership between Texas State University, the San Marcos, Texas Police Department and the Hays County, Texas Sheriff's Office to develop active shooter response training for first responders. In 2013, this training was named the national standard for active shooter response training by the FBI.
ALERRT's active shooter response training addresses issues encountered in the active shooter threat scenario, as well as in recent terrorist events. According to the ALERRT website, the training's Driving Force concept is designed to address the decision making process during the initial response to the active shooter incident. The training also includes point-of-injury medical care by law enforcement, and the importance of evacuating casualties to higher levels of care.
While keeping some of the training tactics confidential, Chandler said the ALERRT course is used by law enforcement in many states and large cities, as well as those at colleges and universities. “It focuses on the team concept, communication and how to stop the shooter as quickly as possible,” he said.
UPD has the personnel, equipment and resources it needs, Chandler said, to address such an event if it were to occur at the University.
Despite heat indices near 100 degrees, UPD officers wearing 50 pounds of equipment spent the day running, moving up and down stairs, carrying simulated casualties and practicing other dynamic techniques designed to test their ability to handle critical situations.
“It's vital,” UPD Lt. Jared Pierce said of the active shooter training. “You can't put a price tag on it. This training builds on what we already know and helps us be even more prepared for incidents like these.”
Rocky Hartfield, a veteran of local law enforcement who currently serves as investigator/training officer with the Forrest General Police Department, said working with UPD officers using the ALERRT training gives his team the advantage they need if they need to respond to an active shooter scenario.
“It's a fluid situation when it occurs, so it's imperative that we prepare our officers to develop these skills to save as many lives as possible and neutralize the shooter quickly,” said Hartfield, who has been with FGH Police for 18 years after serving 12 with the Hattiesburg Police Department.
“Often, these incidents conclude in a matter of minutes so it's important that every law enforcement officer involved in the response be trained in the same tactics so everyone is on the same page.”
The UPD website includes an active shooter training video available for viewing by faculty, staff and students at the University. To learn more, visit https://www.usm.edu/police/training-video-active-shooter-situation.
