March 16, 2016
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The Weekly Snapshot
Your source for the latest tips, information, and current campus safety resources from the NCCPS.
Learn more about ALERRT.
Active Shooter Training for Campuses Nationwide

The Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT) Center at Texas State University was created to address the need for active shooter response training for first responders.  Since 2002, ALERRT  has provided active shooter response training to more than 85,000 law enforcement officers in 49 states plus Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia, primarily through federal and state funding . The U.S. Department of Justice has funded much of this national training at no cost to agencies.  In 2013, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) named ALERRT their national standard for active shooter response and partnered with ALERRT to help deliver this training across the nation. 

In addition to in depth after-action lessons learned through partnerships with agencies that have been involved in active shooter situations, ALERRT has created a criminal justice research department to evaluate and enhance the overall understanding of active shooter events and assist in improving law enforcement best practices.  
 
The National Center for Campus Public Safety (NCCPS) has partnered with ALERRT to bring ten Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (CRASE) Train-the-Trainer courses to college and university campuses across the nation in need of this critical training. The CRASE course, designed and developed by ALERRT on the Avoid | Deny | Defend™ strategy, provides "strategies, guidance and a proven plan for surviving an active shooter event."
 
CRASE course topics include:
  • History and prevalence of active shooter events
  • The role of professional guardians
  • Civilian response options
  • Medical issues
  • Drills
CRASE course participants are provided with necessary tools to effectively train campuses, schools, businesses and community members on their response options if confronted with an active shooter event. View our online calendar for upcoming CRASE courses in your area.
 
Access information and registration details for all of ALERRT's courses through their upcoming course calendar. For more information about the ALERRT program, you may visit ALERRT's website or contact the Director of Communications, Diana Hendricks.
View the newly released PSA.
NCAA and Department of Homeland Security Team Up This Spring
 
This week is the official start of March Madness, the most intense three weeks of college basketball in the U.S. Die-hard fans that include students, families, faculty, staff and the general public will pack athletic facilities across the country for a chance to cheer and support their favorite teams. For colleges and universities, and outside venues that host many preliminary tournament games, this translates into a massive undertaking of large-event planning, which includes all aspects of public safety and security. However, it's important for attendees of such events to always remain aware of their surroundings, which is what led to the latest effort from the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
 
NCAA and DHS have been working together for the past five years to promote the national public awareness campaign " If You See Something, Say Something™," which was originally launched by DHS in July 2010. The campaign's goal is to "raise public awareness of the indicators of terrorism and terrorism-related crime, as well as the importance of reporting suspicious activity to state and local law enforcement." The new public service announcement (PSA) from the NCAA and DHS focuses on student athletes and their fans, reminding them that as they support their favorite teams, it's important to remain alert and report any activity that seems suspicious or out of the ordinary.
 
The new PSA features student athletes representing multiple college sports and will be featured at all 90 NCAA championships across 24 sports. NCAA Executive Vice President of Championships and Alliances Mark Lewis stated, "we recognize the valuable role each person can play in identifying and reporting potential threats, and we remain thankful to the Department of Homeland Security for the continued partnership with the NCAA through its public awareness campaign. Safety at our championship events is of paramount importance, and this campaign helps strengthen our efforts to ensure the well-being and safety of student athletes, fans and everyone who enjoys the games."
Download Advice from Police Chiefs and Community Leaders on Building Trust (PDF).
New Guidance Report on Building Trust in Your Community
 
Many college and university campuses have uniquely diverse populations. To foster a culture of safety and security, it is vital for campus safety and police organizations to develop and maintain positive and trusting relationships with their communities.
 
Last July, 150 police chiefs and community leaders from across the nation came together for the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) Summit, Strengthening Community-Police Relationships. Participants included stakeholders from universities, local police agencies, and professional and non-profit organizations. The meeting provided an opportunity for community leaders and police chiefs to discuss the challenges of building community-police trust. Participants provided insight into the issues they face and developed recommendations to address those issues.
 
PERF recently released a report based on the summit's findings, Advice from Police Chiefs and Community Leaders on Building Trust (PDF), that includes guidance for improving community-police relationships. Campus safety and police officials may utilize the numerous strategies included in this report to guide efforts in building trust with campus communities. A few of the promising practices include:
  • Implicit bias training: Policing involves a renewed focus on issues of racial bias. People can be taught how to recognize and reduce their unconscious biases. Implicit bias training is useful for anyone, not only police officers.
  • Intervene to stop misconduct: Police leaders should emphasize to officers the importance of reporting misconduct or abuse by fellow officers, and should implement policies requiring officers to report such misconduct. Police leaders also should implement policies and instruct officers to intervene to stop misconduct or abusive actions by fellow officers at the time they occur.
  • Foster communication: Police should constantly look for non-enforcement related opportunities to meet with community members, such as Explorer/Cadet programs, ride-alongs, midnight basketball, etc.
  • Have honest discussions: Police leaders and community leaders should communicate with each other and work together to identify and resolve issues. The simple exchange of views between police leaders and community leaders often can clear up misunderstandings.
To learn more about positive and productive community-police relations, you may view the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Office's recently released three-part series, Police Perspectives: Building Trust in a Diverse Nation:
  1.  How to Increase Cultural Understanding
  2.  How to Serve Diverse Communities
  3.  How to Support Trust Building in Your Agency
Access our online calendar of events.
Professional Development Opportunities

Title:  Essentials of Community Cybersecurity (AWR136)
Host: Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX)
Dates and locations: 
  • April 5, 2016 in San Francisco, CA
  • April 13, 2016 in Owensboro, KY
  • May 23, 2016 in Aztec, NM
Fee: Free
 
Title: Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (CRASE) Train-the-Trainer
Supported by: Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT)
Date:  April 13, 2016
Location: New Century, KS
Fee: Free
 
Title: Health, Safety, Security and Risk Management (Standard 8)
Supported by: The Forum on Education Abroad 
Date: April 15, 2016 (registration deadline: April 8)
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Fee: Registration fee
This project was supported by Grant No. 2013-MU-BX-K011 awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. The Bureau of Justice Assistance is a component of the Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Office for Victims of Crime, and the Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking. Points of view or opinions in this document are those of author and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the US Department of Justice.
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