Active shooter events constitute a serious problem in the United States, particularly with regard to police response to incidents. According to Sikes et al. (2018), 70% of active shooter situations end in under 5 minutes, while “the national average response time of law enforcement is approximately 10 minutes” (p. 34). Therefore, it is essential to address the problem of active shooting crisis intervention and reduce police response time as a detrimental factor in the event outcomes and the number of casualties.
When establishing law enforcement policies and crisis intervention strategies, it is essential to follow evidence-based practice. This research explores the issue of law enforcement response time to active shooter events. The current problem is the difference between the average incident duration and the average time required for police officers to arrive on the site. The proposed policy solutions are to increase the employment of school resource officers (SROs), improve law enforcement communication, and include guidelines on building design and architectural features in first responder training. Kellom and Nubani (2018) report that preparing ahead of time and studying floor levels can reduce the police response time to active shooter events. Furthermore, Sikes et al. (2018) suggest that simulation training can effectively coordinate efforts, improve communication between departments, and prevent confusion, which can reduce response time.
Effective strategies are detrimental to the incident outcomes, which determines the significance of this study. The research will address the literature gaps concerning measured response time and standardized police response training. If successful, research implementation includes providing law enforcement with evidence-based data on reducing response time and the number of casualties. To conclude, this research is critical to address the problem and prepare for unpredictable active shooter events.
References
Kellom, K., & Nubani, L. (2018). One step ahead of active shooters: Are our university buildings ready?. Buildings, 8(12), 1-15. Web.
Sikes, D. L., Barnes, G. A., & Casida, D. L. (2018). Active shooter on campus!. Nursing made Incredibly Easy, 16(1), 34-41. Web.