From the Office of the Sheriff Sheriff Dennis L. Dotson

For Immediate Release

NEWS RELEASE

Date: April 13, 2009

Active Shooter Training

The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office utilized three Newport area schools during the spring break week to train officers on response to school shootings, or what law enforcement refers to as "Active Shooter Training." The training, presented by the Sheriff's Office and offered to all local and state law enforcement agencies, was geared toward teaching officers how to effectively respond to incidents similar to the school shootings at Columbine High School in Colorado and Thurston High School in Springfield, Oregon in the late 1990's. The main objective of the training is to limit the amount of injuries/casualties to students and staff through rapid response and threat identification by responding officers.

The training was conducted at the Newport Middle School and the Sam Case and Yaquina View Elementary Schools. Officers utilized confrontational simulation training equipment provided by the Sheriff's Office which allows them to train with weaponry and tools very similar to what they carry on-duty every day.

Lieutenant Dave Carey, Patrol Commander for the Sheriff's Office, stated, "Each school is designed differently and poses different obstacles for our deputies and officers to overcome." "I am very proud of the skills and decision making I saw from all the students who participated in the training."

Sheriff Dennis Dotson stated, "We are very appreciative of the partnership we have with the Lincoln County School District." "Having the ability to train inside our local schools is extremely valuable to our deputies, troopers, and officers when responding to these types of events where every second is crucial."

"I am also proud of our instructors who presented this training," stated Dotson. "Our instructors are able to simulate real life scenarios for each student, which include school district procedures for response to these types of incidents." "It's important to simulate what officers may encounter when entering a school facility under similar circumstances," stated Dotson.

The Sheriff's Office plans to continue offering this training to local law enforcement officers each year with the goal of utilizing other schools throughout the county.

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