The Evolution of Active Shooter Response Training Protocols Since Columbine: Lessons From the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training Center

• Published date: 01 August 2019
• Date: 01 August 2019
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1177/1043986219840237
• Subject Matter: Commentary

https://doi.org/10.1177/1043986219840237

Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice

2019, Vol. 35(3) 342 –356

© The Author(s) 2019

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DOI: 10.1177/1043986219840237

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Commentary

The Evolution of Active

Shooter Response Training

Protocols Since Columbine:

Lessons From the Advanced

Law Enforcement Rapid

Response Training Center

M. Hunter Martaindale1 and J. Pete Blair1

Abstract

On April 20, 1999, two active shooters attacked Columbine High School. This attack

became a catalyst that changed the manner in which law enforcement prepared for

similar attacks at schools and other locations. Departments across the United States

developed and adopted active shooter response training protocols. To assist law

enforcement with this work, training centers were created including the Advanced

Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT) Center. ALERRT was formed

in 2002 and was named the national standard in active shooter training by the Federal

Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in 2013. To date, ALERRT has trained more than

130,000 first responders from over 9,000 agencies in active shooter response. This

commentary leverages our extensive expertise as directors of ALERRT. Specifically,

we discuss how training protocols have evolved over the last two decades to include

active shooter response teams, solo officer response, medical intervention training,

integrated response training, and civilian response.

Keywords

active shooter, tactics, policing

A 17-year-old student opened fire at Santa Fe High School in Santa Fe, Texas, on May

18, 2018. The shooter attacked students and teachers in two classrooms nestled within

the school’s art complex around 7:40 a.m. Using a shotgun and handgun, he killed 10

1Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, USA

Corresponding Author:

M. Hunter Martaindale, Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training Center, Texas State

University, 1251 Sadler Dr., Suite 1200, San Marcos, TX 78666, USA.

Email: Hunter@ALERRT.org

840237CCJXXX10.1177/1043986219840237Journal of Contemporary Criminal JusticeMartaindale and Blair

article-commentary2019