Active Shooters: Recommendations and considerations for law enforcement and school officials

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of the research is to review historical school shootings and examine past policies and tactics about school shootings to determine what is effective and what should be considered as a standard in training. After reviewing data and research, recommendations are made to provide updates to current policies and procedures regarding active shooting incidents. that support the most optimal ways to minimize threat and danger to students, staff, and law enforcement in schools during an active shooter response and how best to prepare for reunification if such an incident were to happen.

Method of Approach Information utilized in this paper will be gathered from a compilation of scholarly and professional sources. The sources will provide overviews of historical school shootings and data will be compiled from these sources, including information leading up to the events, significant findings related to the events, and potential ways to predict or limit such events from occurring. This paper will also review routine activities theory as guidance to provide a framework for a better understanding of how and why these situations may occur, which in turn, can offer helpful considerations to law enforcement and school administration to minimize the probability of harm or death in school shootings.

Key Findings These findings support a comprehensive approach to school shooting preparedness and response, including a reunification plan that will reduce anxiety and chaos and provide a focused set of rules and support for students, staff, and families to prevent better outcomes. The importance of applying criminological theory, such as routine activity theory, to assess potential risk factors and use of threat assessment strategies is also helpful to potentially prevent such events from occurring. School staff and SROs can potentially recognize those students who may be withdrawing or not conforming to societal norms and offer resources to support them such as counseling or addressing student concerns such as bullying. A key aspect of success in these situations is the collaboration of school districts and law enforcement agencies to train and work together.