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    Law enforcement trains for worst case scenario: An active shooter

    BARSTOW, CA, UNITED STATES

    11.18.2014

    Story by Laurie Pearson  

    Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow

    BARSTOW, Calif. - Not everyone must face down the business end of a pistol. For law enforcement officers, however, there is an ever-increasing possibility of facing this looming threat as active shooter situations increase across the United States.

    In an unclassified study conducted by the FBI, entitled ‘A Study of Active Shooter Incidents in the United States Between 2000 and 2013,’ published in September of 2013, there were 160 active shooter incidents in the United States. Of those, an average of 6.5 incidents occurred annually between 2000 and 2007, increasing to an average of 16.4 incidents annually between 2007 and 2013. That is an increase of approximately 250 percent in active shooter incidents during a 13-year period.

    This threat has caused a shift in training for law enforcement officers, to include those for the Marine Corps Police Department located on Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow.

    “The Columbine shooting in Colorado was one which gained national attention,” said Tom Streeter, lead law enforcement instructor on MCLB Barstow.

    “Normal law enforcement response (prior to the Columbine shooting) was to wait for specialized teams to arrive. This took a long time so a lot of people bled out and died. Post Columbine, tactics changed, so that now first officers on scene immediately go inside to engage the active shooter,” continued Streeter.

    There have been other changes as well, such as including emergency medical technicians with the rescue teams so they can provide more immediate life-saving first-aid to people who might have otherwise died, explained Streeter.

    As a part of active shooter training exercises held during October and November, officers with the MCPD on MCLB Barstow were engaged by individuals who role-played as bad guys. The role players fired weapons, loaded with simulated ammunition, or ‘simmunition,’ at officers who then engaged the threat.

    Officers and role players use their duty firearms retrofitted with barrels designed to accommodate the simmunition during the exercises.

    “Simmunition is the same as a live bullet, but the bullet is constructed of plastic and has paint in it (rather than lead),” said Streeter. “The simmunition and active shooter scenarios add an element of realism to the training. It’s as close as you can get to the real thing.”

    “The good part about simmunition training is someone else is shooting back at you,” said Sgt. Robert Johnson. “You have to react to rounds coming back at you, and it teaches you to appreciate and use cover and concealment more.”

    The simmunition can cause bruising and even open abrasions at close range, so precautions are taken to limit injuries, such as protective masks with eyewear and throat coverage, long sleeved shirts, pants, as well as gloves.

    “The training forces officers to react under pressure similar to real world situations,” said Streeter. “The simmunition hurts and gets (the officers) amped up. It forces them to think, while in stressful training environments, about things like tactics and communication while still adhering to deadly force policy.”

    One key aspect of the training is ensuring that, despite pain and adversity, officers dig deep and persist in their efforts to protect and serve.

    “In a real world shooting, you can’t just give up and quit. You’ve got to find the heart and tenacity to do the job,” explained Streeter.

    Another component of the training is to teach law enforcement officers to avoid losing peripheral vision which can limit their ability to respond effectively.

    “It teaches you to concentrate when adrenalin is up,” said officer Lyonel Vilfort. “It makes you more aware so you don’t get tunnel vision.”

    The training included using angles to shoot around barriers while maintaining cover and utilizing tactical maneuvering around obstacles. Officers are also trained using firearms with their non-dominant hand to ensure that they can continue to engage a threat should their dominant hand be injured.

    “The training reinforces drills we do on the range,” said officer Terri Albaugh.

    The training builds muscle memory, intended to assist officers in responding effectively and efficiently in high-stress situations.
    “When situations occur, officers don’t have to think (about a response) because it is automatic, with less hesitation and with increased technical skill in the response,” said Cpl. Roy Turnwall.

    In addition, the training assists in streamlining cooperation between key participants in emergency responses.

    “The emergency operations center, to include police officers, fire fighters, public works, and adjacent agencies, all learn to work together which will minimize communications and coordination issues,” stated Streeter.

    With increased active shooter incidents, simmunitions and scenario based trainings will likely remain a key component of law enforcement training.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 11.18.2014
    Date Posted: 11.25.2014 13:25
    Story ID: 148787
    Location: BARSTOW, CA, US

    Web Views: 50
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN