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How does the local police department train for "active shooter" situations?
Posted: 12.18.2012 at 9:47 PM
Rachel Welte

Rachel Welte is the Weekend News Anchor and a General Assignment Reporter.

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Colorado Springs Police Department on the scene of a crime.  / FOX21: File Photo
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COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- In light of the mass shooting in Connecticut, many families in the Colorado Springs community have been calling the local police department expressing concern for their child's safety.

Police Chief Pete Carey said he wants to remind residents that his officers are highly trained in active shooter situations.

He said it is something the department "takes very seriously."

Friday night, just hours after the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary, Carey posed a message to Facebook that said "In the coming weeks I have directed my officers, when the time allows, to become even more proactive and visible around our schools."

"We have been through every school in Colorado Springs, we have floor plans of every school in Colorado Springs, and we have done what we call risk assessments for every school in the Colorado Springs area," Lt. Sal Fiorillo with the Tactical Operations Section said.

The police will also go over lock down and shelter-in-place procedures.

As for the individual officers, every recruit is trained for active shooter situations and crisis entry.

"We have in-service training periodically, and of course our tactical team is regularly trained for active shooter situations," Fiorillo said.

In August the city of Houston released a video on how to react during a workplace shooting called "Run, Hide, Fight."

Three survival stops Fiorillo said could save your life.

"I would recommend that businesses or schools, if they have not reviewed it, pull it up and take a look at it," he said.

And when it comes to concealed-carry permits, the police department said use your rights wisely if you choose to take action.

"Use whatever forces is reasonable and necessary, and when law enforcement shows up identify yourself, hands up and let law enforcement take over," Fiorillo said.

The police department will also meet with individual businesses upon request.

That being said, Lt. Fiorillo said those risk assessments are for staff members and students, who must then practice the procedures and drills regularly.

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