Date Posted: Wednesday, December 26th, 2018

Delaware – Far too many times active shooter events have occurred at “soft targets” throughout the United States. Many of these peaceful venues include school campuses, shopping malls, movie theaters, Houses of Worship, nightclubs and other popular locations. Hundreds of innocent lives have been lost to this epidemic. Unarmed citizens may reduce the risk of mass violence by taking fundamental steps. In light of the most recent incident at a mall, the Delaware State Police would like to provide citizens with vital preparation techniques that may increase safety and survivability during a dangerous event.

The most critical step is prevention. Citizens are positioned to observe and detect behaviors that may  indicate possible or impending violence. Quickly reporting these behaviors to authorities is essential to allow an opportunity for intervention before threats evolve into violence. For example, in the workplace, security concerns should be reported to organizational leadership, human resources and security staff. Local law enforcement should always be contacted for immediate threats.

The Delaware State Police train in how to respond to an active shooter and violent intruder situations, whether at a school, shopping mall, corporate setting or other venue. This training is facilitated by the FBI and is called Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT).

In 2014,  the Delaware State Police partnered with the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the intention of constructing an active shooter response training program for all law enforcement agencies in the State of Delaware. During that time with the FBI and Delaware Law Enforcement training officials, the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT) program through Texas State University was recommended and endorsed by the FBI as the optimal program to pursue in Delaware. The FBI established training opportunities for Delaware law enforcement trainers and acquired the necessary equipment (ammo, safety gear, handguns, power point) to allow each instructor to go forward and teach the tactics to every law enforcement officer in the State. Instructor training consisted of 40 hours of classroom and scenario work, and the subsequent training delivered to in-service personnel was 16 hours in duration. In short, the partnership with the FBI was instrumental in model program identification, train the trainer opportunities, assistance instructing, and equipment acquisition.

It was the direction of the Delaware Council on Police Training to mandate this training for all law enforcement in Delaware.  The goal of this training was to prepare all federal, state and local agencies for an active shooter event so that similar tactics were utilized. An added mandate was to have the training completed by January of 2017. As of today, all Law enforcement Officers in Delaware are trained in the same response and tactics so there is no confusion and/or question on best practices to achieve a safe and effective outcome. It should be noted that this training was conducted with a blend of agencies working in classrooms and on scenarios together- not exclusively with other members of their own agency- in order to reinforce the likelihood of multi-agency response. This training is mandated in all Delaware law enforcement academies as new officers are hired and trained.

The Delaware State Police does work with various entities and community partners in regards to the prevention of and response to a violent intruder or critical event. The safety of our citizens is paramount and we will continue to work with our allied law enforcement agencies to make Delaware safer.

Please click on the below link for more information and resources provided by the Delaware State Police:

Keeping Delaware Safe

Overview “Run, Hide, Fight Strategy”

Delaware organizations are encouraged to have emergency action plans for staff and customers. Emergency plans should be shared with staff, rehearsed during training drills, assessed annually and updated if necessary. Additionally, citizens are also encouraged to have individual emergency plans and practice the “Run, Hide, Fight” strategy. During an active shooter event citizens should quickly and safely move away from the violent intruder seeking cover and alternate routes out of a building. When in a safe location, citizens should block access or barricade themselves preventing the violent intruder access. As a last resort, and only when lives are in imminent danger, citizens may attempt to defend themselves and incapacitate the shooter by any means necessary. When police arrive, citizens should raise their hands with their empty palms facing forward while complying with all police instructions. Citizens should never run toward police, make any sudden movements or reach for any items.

Report Suspicious Activity:

While the epidemic of active shooter events continues across America, unarmed citizens can play a vital role in deterring these violent acts and increasing survivability rates should an incident occur.  Suspicious activity reporting can be reported to Delaware’s Anti-Terrorism Tip Line by calling 1-800-FORCE-12, e-mailing force12@delaware.gov, or contacting local law enforcement agencies. Any emergency should always be immediately reported to 911. Click on: Report Suspicious Activity

With domestic and international terrorism threatening our homeland, there is a recognized need to gather and disseminate timely information regarding homeland security. To meet the need for communication and exchange of terrorist threat information to the public and Delaware’s critical infrastructure, the Delaware State Police has established a comprehensive and easy to follow web site. The purpose of this web page is to allow citizens to provide tips about suspicious activity that may be related to terrorism and/or homeland security.

In order to provide the most useful information to law enforcement, you are urged to make the following observations when reporting a tip:

Who did you observe?

What did you see? (Be specific as possible)

Where did you see it?

When did you see it?

Why is it suspicious?

If the person is driving a vehicle, provide the vehicle’s license plate, year, make, size and color.

If you prefer to remain anonymous, you can call us toll-free on the Anti-Terrorism Tip Line at 1-800-FORCE-12 and speak to a Delaware State Police employee 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The callers will not be required to identify themselves.

Violent Intruder Preparedness & Response Training Program

Since the tragic events at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999, “Active Shooter” has evolved into a household term. This single event radically changed school security and the law enforcement profession while also introducing American citizens to an entirely new epidemic of violence.

Unarmed American citizens can counter these mass casualty attacks by taking effective action with these simple steps. Recognizing pre-incident behaviors and preventing violent attacks is the best defensive strategy but not all violent attacks can be prevented. Therefore, organizations are encouraged to have emergency action plans, conduct training exercises and work with local law enforcement in seeking guidance to increase readiness levels. Citizens implementing the “Run, Hide, Fight” strategy may reduce casualty counts while increasing survivability rates during active shooter events.

Organizations frequently request law enforcement agencies to provide guidance on how to effectively prepare for active shooter events. The Violent Intruder Preparedness & Response (VIPR) training program is designed for unarmed citizens and built on the “Run, Hide, Fight” strategy that has been recognized as an industry standard. The VIPR training objectives are simple yet effective. The key concepts of the VIPR program are to 1) Increase situational awareness of active shooter events; 2) Encourage organizations to  have emergency action plans that are shared with employees and rehearsed; 3) Provide practical examples of barricading confined spaces and considerations for utilizing self-defense options; 4) Demonstrate basic emergency casualty care tactics for the injured. Through steadfast commitment to help Delawareans enhance readiness levels against mass violence, the VIPR training program will provide immeasurable benefits against violent threats for many years to come.

DELAWARE STATE POLICE

VIOLENT INTRUDER PREPAREDNESS & RESPONSE

READINESS GUIDELINES

The basic components for preparing for and responding to Active Shooter Events include: Incorporate Active Shooter emergency response procedures in the organization’s Emergency Action Plan and conduct associated training and exercises while considering the below referenced items:

1) Inform employees of preferred method for reporting emergencies and non-emergencies

2) Identify emergency escape routes, procedures and employee roles

3) Identify reasonable options for employees during an active shooter event

4) Emergency plans should include provisions for individuals with special needs or disabilities

5) Contact information for and responsibilities of persons to be contacted under the Emergency Action Plan

6) Emergency notification system to alert law enforcement, hospitals and persons at remote work sites within the area of the shooting

7) Conduct mock active shooter training exercises and table-top exercises

8) Incorporate Active Shooter emergency plans into organizational policy and update/review with staff regularly

9) Being sensitive to and aware of behaviors generally associated with those individuals who may become an active shooter so that, if possible, preventive assistance may be provided to those persons.

B) Certain pre-incident behaviors may be associated with Active Shooter Events; While not meant to be all inclusive, the below list of behaviors and events may be associated:

1) Increased use of alcohol and/or illegal drugs

2) Unexplained increase in absenteeism and alarming outbursts of rage

3) Recent job termination and the person has expressed violent intentions

4) Suicidal/Homicidal remarks

5) Sudden depression/withdrawal from society and colleagues

6) Increased severe mood swings and noticeably emotionally unbalanced

7) Sudden interests in weapons, violence and individuals associated with mass violence

8) Interest in and empathy for groups associated with violence and support of groups that encourage others to commit acts of mass violence

9) Expressions of unhealthy world views and statements of revenge

C) Report behaviors that may be attributed to mass violence:

1) Inform work supervisors, managers and/or human resources of alarming non-emergency behaviors in the workplace

2) Call 911 to report emergencies and criminal activity, including verbal threats, that are indicative of violence

3) Non-emergency Homeland Security threats and non-criminal suspicious behaviors attributed to mass violence should be reported to 1-800-FORCE-12 (Delaware’s Anti-Terrorism tip line)

II) Emergency responses to an active shooter event:

A) RUN (First preference and priority)

1) Have an escape route and plan in mind

2) Alert others quickly while determining escape route

3) Leave your belongings behind

4) If being targeted, run in a serpentine or zigzag motion

B) HIDE (Second preference and priority)

1) Utilize dense structure (cover) out of view from the shooter

2) Block entry to your hiding place, lock the doors and barricade yourself

3) Silence your cell phone

4) Call 911 only when safe to do so; not while in proximity to the shooter

C) FIGHT (Third preference and priority)

1) If confronted, and as a last resort when your life is in imminent danger,

attempt to incapacitate the shooter with physical aggression

2) Act with physical aggression to overcome shooter, utilize multiple people

when engaging with shooter, throw items at shooter to disable shooter’s

vision, utilize any available instrument to enhance your safety, fully

commit to your effort

III) When law enforcement arrives:

Remain calm and follow instructions from law enforcement officers:

1) Put down any items in your hands (i.e., cell phone, weapon, bags)

2) Raise hands, spread fingers and position palms facing officers

3) Keep hands visible at all times

4) Avoid quick movements toward officers, no pointing and screaming at police

B) Initial role of the on scene law enforcement officers is to stop the violence

1) Officers will pass by injured victims to engage with and neutralize threats

2) Rescue efforts and emergency medical care will be provided after law enforcement eliminates threats

The aforementioned material is provided to help organizations mitigate risk and increase readiness levels for episodes of mass violence. The information provided does not guarantee safety during episodes of mass violence; however, being prepared for violent episodes may reduce risk and increase survivability rates.

For additional resources please visit the following websites:

U.S. Department of Homeland Security; Active Shooter website

http://www.dhs.gov/active-shooter-preparedness

FBI “Active Shooter” Website

https://www.fbi.gov/about-us/office-of-partner-engagement/active-shooter-incidents

FEMA Emergency Management Institute Active Shooter Independent Study Course

http://training.fema.gov/is/courseoverview.aspx?code=is-907

Anyone with information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or via the internet at http://delaware.crimestoppersweb.com

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and are in need of assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit/Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll free hotline 1800 VICTIM-1. (1800 842-8461). You may also email the unit Director at debra.reed@delaware.gov

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Presented by the Director of Public Information, Sergeant Richard Bratz,

Released: 122618 2241

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