Active Threat

What should I do in an active threat situation?

In general, how you respond to an active threat will be dictated by the specific circumstances of the encounter, bearing in mind there could be more than one threat involved in the same situation. If you find yourself involved in an active threat situation, try to remain calm and use these guidelines to help you plan a strategy for survival.

If an active threat is outside your building, proceed to a room that can be locked, close and lock all the windows and doors, and turn off all of the lights; if possible, get everyone down on the floor and ensure that no one is visible from outside the room. One person in the room should call 911, advise the dispatcher of what is taking place, and inform him/her of your location; remain in place until the police, or a campus administrator known to you, gives the "all clear." Unfamiliar voices may be the active threat attempting to lure victims from their safe space; do not respond to any voice commands until you can verify with certainty that they are being issued by a police officer.

If an active threat is in the same building you are, determine if the room you are in can be locked and if so, follow the same procedure described in the previous paragraph. If your room can't be locked, determine if there is a nearby location that can be reached safely and secured, or if you can, safely exit the building. If you decide to move from your current location, be sure to follow the instructions outlined below.

If an active threat enters your office or classroom, try to remain calm. Dial 911, if possible, and alert police to your location; if you can't speak, leave the line open so the dispatcher can listen to what's taking place. Normally the location of a 911 call can be determined without the caller speaking. If there is absolutely no opportunity for escape or hiding, it might be possible to negotiate with the active threat; attempting to overpower them with force should be considered a last resort, after all other options have been exhausted.

If the active threat leaves the area, proceed immediately to a safer place and do not touch anything that was in the vicinity of the active threat.

No matter what the circumstances, if you decide to flee during an active threat situation, make sure you have an escape route and plan in mind. Do not attempt to carry anything while fleeing; move quickly, keep your hands visible, and follow the instructions of any police officers you may encounter. Do not attempt to remove injured people; instead, leave wounded victims where they are and notify authorities of their location as soon as possible. Do not try to drive off campus until advised it is safe to do so by police or campus administrators.

Police Response

Police officers responding to an active threat are trained to proceed immediately to the area in which the threat that was reported or shots were last heard; their purpose is to stop the threat as quickly as possible. The officers may be armed with rifles, shotguns, or handguns, and might be using pepper spray or tear gas to control the situation. Regardless of how they appear, remain calm, do as the officers tell you, and do not be afraid of them. Put down any bags or packages you may be carrying and keep your hands visible at all times; if you know where the threat is, tell the officers.

The first officers to arrive will not stop to aid injured people; rescue teams composed of other officers and emergency medical personnel will follow the first officers into secured areas to treat and remove injured persons. Keep in mind that even once you have escaped to a safer location, the entire area is still a crime scene; police personnel will usually not let anyone leave until the situation is fully under control and all witnesses have been identified and questioned. Until you are released, remain at whatever assembly point authorities designate.