ISP expands active shooter training to include businesses

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Indiana State Police are trying to get more people prepared for an active shooter situation, after the mass shooting in California.

A man and his wife opened fire at his workplace in San Bernardino, Calif. on Wednesday, Dec. 2, killing 14 people and injuring 21 others. The tragedy has caused the Indiana State Police Department to expand its active shooter training to include businesses.

Sgt. Philip Hensley said, "We're focusing on community areas, such as movie theaters, shopping malls, and your average office space. We're trying to make sure that not only in a school environment, but everywhere in our community is safe and prepared in the event that we have an active shooter."

Officers spend about an hour and a half educating businesses about how to prepare themselves for a bad situation. But, Sgt. Hensley says, at the same time, the officers are also getting an education.

"We're exposing ourselves to the environment and the layout. We know entry points, and we know places where we can possibly have tactical cover. There's a lot of different aspects and things that we're learning as well," Sgt. Hensley explained.

Clarksville Community schools recently stepped up its training by having a simulation inside Clarksville High School.

But, Clarksville High School Resource Officer Mike Popplewell says two or three training sessions a year isn't enough to keep students, faculty, and staff safe.

"It would be good if the state would step up and say, 'We're going to require this active shooter training in every school and every building. And, you're going to train your staff,'" Popplewell said.

Sgt. Hensley agrees, saying, "In a time to make a decision, the worst thing you can do is nothing. If you're equipped with at least some idea of how to react and how to protect yourself, and someone near you, you're going to be a leg up and have a better chance of getting through the event than if you just do nothing."

And, Sgt. Hensley said ISP will provide active shooter training in Indiana and in Louisville.

To schedule a training session, you can call the Sellersburg ISP Post at 812-246-5424 or the Jasper ISP Post at 812-482-1441.