"The problem with quotes on the Internet is that it is hard to verify their authenticity."
~ Abraham Lincoln
Social media. For every vice, a virtue. For every head-scratching moment, an epiphany. Home to every -ism known to humankind, including some whose existence was heretofore unknown. A place to exchange views under the clear protections of the 1st Amendment, and a place to marvel at the idealistic naiveté of the Founders, that they ever considered "Congress shall make no law" as a way to begin the Bill of Rights.
In the horrific aftermath of the recent school shooting in Florida, charges and countercharges have been flung with willful abandon concerning the actions - pre, during and post incident - about nearly every aspect of the Broward County Sheriff, and his organization. Cowardice, incompetence, and even the possibility that this was a staged incident involving a tacked-up adult assassin, are everywhere.
Most high functioning police organizations (I have no hesitation to state unequivocally that I work for one, and am closely associated with another) look on in head-shaking wonder at the instantly-expert writers on a variety of web sites foisting wild theories and demanding draconian responses. Those of us charged with training people to respond to active shooter incidents, who are ourselves tasked with being the first responders at the scene and those who command the incidents ask many more questions than offer unenlightened opinions. We have seen remarkable acts of bravery and sacrifice by officers all over the United States responding effectively to active shooters. We've watched tactics succeed...and fall short. We want to learn to do our jobs better. To wit:
What actually happened? It seems a simple question, but there are so many moving parts it often takes weeks or months to fully explore. How did the suspect arrive, was their weapon concealed and at what point did they brandish it publically? When did the shooting start, and where did it start? How did the shooter select targets, use cover, reload? What weapon(s) did they employ, how did the weapons function and perform? What ammunition did they use, what was their load out? How were they dressed? Where did they go? What tactics did they use? What effect did the fleeing students have on the suspect's actions? Once the shooting stopped, what did the suspect do?
From the law enforcement standpoint - how were officers made aware of the shooting? Where were they, what did they perceive? How did they arrive? What was said over the radios (both the SO and school) by dispatch, the responding officers and command personnel? What were the officers (individually and collectively) trained to do? What were the formal and informal policies and procedures under which law enforcement officers were operating? What incident command procedures were followed, what training had department members received (at all levels) concerning the management and leadership of an incident? What is the departmental culture, how has it evolved over time, and what are the formal and informal rewards for performance? Who were the individuals involved, what are their strengths and shortcomings?
Finally - what can we learn from the incident? Training, planning - and what are our expectations of each other, our agencies and other first responders? The statistical analysis of first responder, aggressive single officer, active shooter tactics are daunting - a substantial percentage of officers are wounded even in successful situations. Police officers are human beings hard-wired for survival. What percentage of officers will not enter alone? How much training will be necessary to increase that percentage to near 100%? What kind of equipment should be available, how much will it cost and who should receive it? Which commanders are adept at incident command, how much training should they receive and how flexible is an agency to allow real-time rehearsals?
Some years ago I rode with a Collier County Deputy - Naples, FL. - while I was researching Heart of the Matter. We tear-assed lights and sirens to a location because the deputy was not responding to her radio. It turned out to be inattention, and I asked why the urgency. "We call them dumb shit moments," I said.
"The next county over (Broward County) lost three officers last year," he responded gravely. "We take nothing for granted."
When I began my police career nearly forty years ago, I wore second-hand body armor designed to stop .38 caliber rounds. I was armed with a six-shot pistol, carried 12 more rounds in speed loaders and received some training in dealing with active shooters, mostly those who were intent on ambushing law enforcement officers.
When I left patrol in 2015 I had a Kevlar helmet set on the front seat of my car. Behind me was a vest containing heavy plates that would stop rifle rounds (that in addition to my expensive soft body armor). In the trunk - a tricked-out AR-15, with four thirty round magazines. I carried a pistol with a fifteen rounds, thirty more in two spare mags on my belt. I had rehearsed responding, gearing up and going dozens of time. I also had my ICS kit, and had practiced incident command on easy calls so that the skills were there for the more difficult ones. I wasn't alone - everyone around me was similarly kitted out, similarly trained and prepared.
We have learned so much since my career began. We have so much more to learn. While wild charges about malfeasance, cowardice and dereliction swirl all about, professional law enforcement asks questions against the day a madman comes to our town and it falls to us to act. Why?
We promised. Citizens have a right to expect it wasn't an empty promise.
