When I’m teaching or working with an agency I make a point of touching on using real life current events as examples. This can help educate your community and because it can lead to improved public safety, it has a double impact.
Sensitive issues that are close to home are always tough to use. Depending on the event, you’ll just stay away from them all together.
Choose Your Topic Wisely
“What to do when stopped by the police.” is an example that can be used when a OIS occurs during a vehicle or subject stop. Boca Raton police did it using an event from far away taking advantage of national media attention. Don’t do it when it’s a neighboring jurisdiction and certainly not if it’s your own.
The San Bernardino shooting is an example of teaching your community what to do in an active shooter situation. Examples of agencies educating their own communities based on that event were many.
Today, as the event at Ohio State University unfolded an opportunity presented itself again. The only difference is OSU had an active ‘attacker’, not shooter. The principles remain the same.
A tragic event, but a job well done by the Ohio State Police Department to end the situation quickly.
Palm Beach County Sheriffs Office did just that…well done.
In light of the recent attacks at Ohio State University, do you know what to do in an Active Shooter Situation? Here’s what you should do: pic.twitter.com/2WrpcRFrUP
— PBSO (@PBCountySheriff) November 28, 2016
