Police Rely On Extensive Training During Active Shooting Situations

10TV News got a behind-the-scene look at emergency response training.

During the terrifying moments of the Colorado movie theater massacre, first responders were forced to rely on their training to save lives and capture the person responsible.

“What we’re trying to do is simulate situations where our officers are called in and they are going to have to address a situation with an active shooter,” said Columbus police training Officer Norm Russell.

Inside the Columbus Police Training Academy, a fake gunman inside a bar holds a citizen at gunpoint.

“We’ve got to address that threat and eliminate that threat,” Russell said. “We want the officer to not only respond and understand the techniques they have to use but how to handle the mental and physiological responses.”

Police said that the only thing to count on during an active shooting situation is the unexpected.

“We want to give them the tools to protect themselves and protect others,” Russell said.

In the case of the shooting inside the Aurora, Colo., movie theater, it was patrol officers who first arrived at the scene, not SWAT officers who routinely handle similar situations.

Police said that they do not have time to wait for backup.

“By waiting, that active shooter is able to take on and take out more victims,” Russell said.

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