This year ISP and Newton police joined forces at the high school to practice in empty classrooms and hallways.
ISP Captain Cory Ristvedt says they did this at the school for two big reasons, to learn the terrain and to build relationships with local police.
…When we go to an incident, that’s not when you want to meet local officers for the first time. It helps us establish relationships so we get to know each other… If we were to experience an active shooter in a school, it’s probable that the local authorities would be the first officers on scene. So it’s a benefit to us to practice with and train with them.”
ISP Captain Ristvedt
He said this is the only school training for this year, but that in the past they have done training at factories and more rural settings for bettering their skills.
ISP Educational Officer Trooper Tammy Welborn said in the case of a shooter at a local businesses, the owner needs to know where the exits and entry points are.
She says in any case with an active shooter, safety needs to come first
