Dallas (WBAP/KLIF News) – Dallas police led officers on active shooter training Wednesday. Officers responded to mock scenarios at a training facility near the department’s headquarters.
“It gets the officer mentally prepared for anything they might encounter at Galleria Mall, North Park Mall, Love Field, anything with a lot of people,” says Sergeant Raymario Sanchez.
Sanchez says creating scenarios can help officers prepare for the emotional impact of an active shooter call better than reading about how to respond.
In one scenario, two people were arguing. As officers responded, the suspects would either surrender to police and talk to them or rush at officers with a knife.
Another scenario recreated a school shooting.
Sanchez says officers use the scenarios to identify a threat more quickly.
“You have to look really quick, okay, does that guy have a weapon in his hands? That’s how they can hurt us is through the hands,” he says.
By focusing on the hands of each subject, Sanchez says responding officers can identify an active shooter as soon as they come into view.
After a shooting, officers are then trained to make sure the area is secure and then give first aid to the suspect.
