SAN ANGELO, TX -- In response to the recent school shooting in Parkland, Florida, James Adams, Director of Public Safety/Chief of Police stated the following.
“The University Police Department began annual active shooter training in 2008”.
“Most ASU officers have completed Level II Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT).”
“ALERRT training has become the national standard for law enforcement. We are scheduled to have this year's active shooter training exercise in May.”
Said Adams,“The training will include officers from the Texas Tech Police Department.”
“We are also working on a joint exercise with the San Angelo Police Department and Tom Green County Sheriff's Department.”
Further information from Adams: “ASU Police have an active shooter policy and standard operating procedure (SOP).”
“The department is comprised of (13) Texas sworn peace officers. We are also the primary department overseeing the campus emergency notification system, ASUAlert.”
“The [ASU] police department is committed to keeping our campus community safe, said Adams.”
“We operate under three basic core tenets to our approach to an active shooter or other potential violence on campus.”
The following information came from Chief Adams.
Quote:
“1. Intervention/Prevention...this is accomplished through our Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT), our newly offered 24/7 ASU Crisis Helpline for students and an online method of reporting behaviors of concern. We believe intervention is a key component to the university's approach.
2. Training...our officer’s train annually for an active shooter scenario. We also conduct active shooter training for campus departments and student organizations.
3. Timely Communications...our ASUAlert system provides the campus community with
important information during a campus emergency.”
Adams continued, “ASUAlert is able to send emails, text messages, live phone calls and post to social media during an emergency. Individuals have to opt in for text messages and live phone calls.”
“The system can tailor a message—just on campus students, just off campus students, only females, only to a certain residence hall, and so forth.”
Said Adams, “The campus police activate the system either by desktop computer, in car laptops or via a cell app." The system has templates we have already created to help expedite an alert.”
“Angelo State University also offers a Crisis Helpline that is staffed by licensed counselors, so all information is confidential.”
ASU Student Body President, Emily Hecox issued the following statement.
“Our thoughts are with the Parkland community in this time of tragedy, and we wish the families and friends peace and comfort in their time of mourning.”
“While representing the student body, we have heard of no concerns in regards to campus safety.”
“We would also like to highlight the sacrifice of first responders, who during an emergency, rush toward the scene and put their lives on the line to serve others.”
For more information about ASU Campus Security you may contact James Adams, Director of Public Safety/Chief of Police at the Communication Center at (325) 942-2071
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