State Police discuss active shooter training, preparedness

By Ana Bottary

abottary@abc6.com

@anabottary

In 2015 alone, there have been well over 300 mass shootings just in the United States. It’s an unfortunate reality that these horrendous events have forced local police to be ready for the worst. 
 
"We can’t have the mentality that it’s not going to happen here. We have to have the mentality that it is going to happen here, and we have to be prepared for when it does happen," says Lieutenant Derek Borek of the Rhode Island State Police. 
 
Lt. Borek says departments all over the state work together to not only train, but prepare for active shooting situations. Though, this wasn’t always the case. 

"Pre-columbine we never trained that the law enforcement went to the threat. We were trained we waited for SWAT team. Today we don’t do that. Today we have immediate response in there," Lt. Borek says. 

Borek says the regular occurrence of these mass shootings over the years has helped the department realize how to best protect themselves. 

"You take an AK-47, which a lot of these individuals are utilizing–body armor will not stop an AK-47," he says.

Police have upgraded equipment which they can use to be safer. 

"We have an armored vehicle, we also have shields in those types of incidents," Lt. Borek adds. 

Borek has a few suggestions if people ever find themselves in an active shooting situation. He says to evaluate the situation, and leave the building if you can. If not, lock yourself in a room, or hide in a closet. He says if you can’t get away or hide, he says fight for your life. 

"By preparing and visualizing, it could actually save your life."

© WLNE-TV 2015