VIOLENT INTRUDER Awareness and Preparation Presented by: Kelly McMillin, Chief of Police Retired
Understand the Threat of a Violent Intruder Understand the importance of policies and procedures with respect to Violent Intruders Recognize warning signs Minimize potential for a critical incident Understand principles behind surviving a violent intrusion Understand the Emergency Response to Violent Intruders
THE THREAT IS REAL
THE THREAT IS REAL AUSTIN, TX August 1 st, 1966 Texas Tower Massacre Charles Witman, 25 Killed 16 and wounded 31 before being killed by police officers Used an arsenal that included an M1 Carbine, shotgun, Remington 700 scoped rifle,.35 caliber rifle, 3 handguns The killing spree lasted 96 minutes
THE THREAT IS REAL McDonald s Massacre James Huberty, 41 SAN YSIDRO, CA July 18 th, 1984 Killed 21 and wounded 19 before being killed by a police sniper Used a 9MM UZI, a shotgun, and 9MM Handgun 256 rounds fired by Huberty Killing spree lasted 77 minutes
THE THREAT IS REAL BLACKSBURG, VA April 16 th, 2007 Virginia Tech One gunman Cho Seung- Hui Killed 32 and wounded 15 before killing himself Killing spree lasted ~3 hrs
Dec 2, 2015 Radicalized couple attacks a holiday party at a County building San Bernardino Terrorist Attack 14 killed, 21 wounded Workplace connection: Farook worked for SB County as health inspector. The attack occurred at his workplace.
VIOLENT INTRUDER Typical organizational definition A hostile or dangerous individual who enters upon private or public property for an improper or illegitimate reason and, thereafter, presents a threat of damage to property, personal injury, and or death to employees/students/ others present. Such individual may be armed and/or in a highly agitated emotional state.
VIOLENT INTRUDER Who is the attacker? Disgruntled employee or student An ex-employee or student Disgruntled customer A significant other of an employee Should be taken very seriously Someone with no connection to the organization, company or school Terrorist
WARNING SIGNS In The Workplace or Learning Institute Irrational beliefs/ideas Verbal, nonverbal or written threats Fascination with weapons/violence Expressions to hurt himself/others Unwarranted anger Alcohol/substance abuse Work performance problems Attendance problems Feelings of being victimized Violence towards inanimate objects Steals or sabotages projects/equipment Lack of concern for others
WARNING SIGNS In The Workplace or Learning Institute The retrospective profile of many perpetrators of active shootings is broad ranging and can fit many people at different times in their lives.
THREATS VEILED Doesn t identify specific target, method, point in time - I.e. I don t think I can take this any longer CONDITIONAL Form of a condition being met If things don t change around here, something is going to happen DIRECT THREAT Well spelled out How, who & when
PREVENTION The Criminal Triad For a criminal to commit an offense, three components must be present; Perpetrator s ability Perpetrator s desire Opportunity OPPORTUNITY The only component of the criminal triad we have any control over is OPPORTUNITY
PREVENTION How to take away Opportunity OPPORTUNITY Screen Employees Account for all open doors Check-in visitors Maintain security surveillance systems Maintain Emergency Plans Employee Training On-site security/police
FOLLOW THROUGH Once a problem is identified, it is imperative to follow through with a resolution. Take warning signs seriously Confront the employee or student and seek help Contact the police Follow through with criminal complaints Review your security/training Discuss problem with all employees
PREVENTION An elevated level of awareness will alert you to potential threats... IMMINENT DANGER (Action is necessary to avert danger) GENERAL AWARENESS OF ENVIRONMENT SPECIFIC THREAT IDENTIFIED UNAWARE (most of US citizens have this level of alertness)
EMERGENCY PREPARATION Survival rests with preparation and practice Have a Plan of Action / Policy and Procedure Put Plan of Action in writing and TRAIN TO THE PLAN Immediately Call 911 and stay on the line with police Texting can be a viable option if trapped Understand Area Denial versus Evacuation Area Denial prevents access to the suspect Evacuation is an organized evacuation plan AWAY from the suspect Critical Incident Evacuation is distinctly different from fire alarm evacuation Area lock down is used to keep students and employees from running into the suspect Once an area is locked down, unless exigent circumstances exist, employees should wait for Law Enforcement to coordinate their evacuation
EMERGENCY PREPARATION Survival rests with preparation and practice Know where the exits area Have Master Keys / Key Master A person with a set of master keys for every room Public announcement plan (code phrase) Can be anything..."code Purple" Can also give where threat is... "Code Purple...Cafeteria" Employee & Student assembly areas (Nobody goes home) A head count is required by Law Enforcement Interviews will be conducted by Law Enforcement Keep all employees and students informed and trained Know
EMERGENCY PREPARATION Survival rests with preparation and practice General Lock-Down or Evacuation If able, systematically EVACUATE out of structure to rally points or the police; NOT INTO HALLS OR COMMON AREAS (Cafeterias, Libraries, etc.). If there is a question, or shooting or disruption is near-by, LOCK DOWN AREA Lock and barricade doors (furniture, door wedges, etc.) Establish safe zone inside your area Account for everyone locked down in your area Stay low, out of sight of windows, and off the walls (bullets travel and penetrate walls). Do not open the door until the police arrive Attempt communication with authorities and stay calm and stay on the line
EMERGENCY PREPARATION Survival rests with preparation and practice Open Areas Understand COVER versus CONCEALMENT COVER Anything that provides shielding from gun fire (concrete walls, engine blocks, large trees, etc.) CONCEALMENT Anything that offers a place to hide, but no protection from bullets (wood doors, dry wall room partitions, file cabinets)
EMERGENCY PREPARATION Survival rests with preparation and practice Trapped with Gunman Make a Choice it s a personal choice Run Zig zag away a moving target is hard to shoot Hide Consider your hardened locations: Behind locked, heavy doors or places unlikely to be discovered. Fight This catches the shooter off guard and may give you an advantage
EMERGENCY PREPARATION Survival rests with preparation and practice This is not a recommendation to attack the assailant. It is a personal choice that only you can make and prepare for. ANY OPTION CHOSEN MAY STILL RESULT IN A NEGATIVE OUTCOME!
INITIAL L.E. EMERGENCY RESPONSE What the Police need in the event a Critical Incident occurs Suspect Information Physical Description Name (if known) Weapons (guns, knives, explosives, etc) Last known location & how to get there Hostages What is happening right now?!?
EMERGENCY RESPONSE Additional information required by Law Enforcement Building plans and company emergency plans Path finder Someone with in-depth knowledge of company & building Should also have a set of keys to EVERYTHING Phone list List of phone numbers for every room in building Camera room, security systems, & fire alarms Company or school roster and list of visitors
EMERGENCY RESPONSE What to expect when Police arrive Know what your local agency protocol is: Patrol-trained active shooter response? Surround and Call Out? Tactical/SWAT?
EMERGENCY RESPONSE What to expect when Police arrive When exiting the premise listen carefully to officers and comply with their commands. Do not take personal offense to officer's commands. Keep in mind...the officers are there to protect you; however, they must also protect themselves to serve you.
EMERGENCY RESPONSE What to expect when Police arrive When the officers make entry, they will be passing victims and witnesses to get to the suspect. Additional rescue teams will be compiled as more officers arrive. These will be used for evacuation and victim rescue.
EMERGENCY RESPONSE What to expect when SWAT arrive SWAT will eventually take over command and control of the situation. A SWAT command post will be established. SWAT operators will systematically clear and evacuate victims.
QUESTIONS