Active shooter incidents have become a significant concern in the United States, prompting schools and organizations to implement various training programs. Historically, the emphasis has been on response strategies—preparing individuals to react during an incident. However, there is a growing recognition of the need to shift focus toward preventive measures, particularly those grounded in behavioral understanding.
Current Training Landscape
A 2018 survey of school districts revealed that nearly 90% encourage staff training on what to expect during an active shooter incident. Approximately 85% provide teachers with training on emergency safety procedures, and about 73% offer training on violent-emergency preparedness. However, only about half of the districts train teachers to recognize early warning signs of students likely to exhibit violent behavior. This indicates a significant gap in preventive education.
While active shooter drills can enhance staff preparedness in implementing procedures like locking doors, they may not necessarily increase perceptions of safety. Moreover, these drills often focus on reaction rather than prevention.
The Case for Preventive Efforts
The research underscores the importance of identifying and addressing pre-attack behaviors. The FBI’s study on pre-attack behaviors of active shooters between 2000 and 2013 found that 62% had a history of acting in an abusive, harassing, or oppressive manner. Additionally, 16% had engaged in intimate partner violence, and 11% had engaged in stalking-related conduct. These findings suggest that many active shooters exhibit concerning behaviors before their attacks, highlighting the potential for intervention.
Behavioral threat assessment teams have been effective in identifying and managing potential threats. These teams, comprising psychologists, law enforcement, security experts, and educators, work collaboratively to assess and intervene when individuals display warning signs. For instance, a study published in the Journal of Threat Assessment and Management found that mass shooters were more likely to have a history of mental health issues and suicidal ideation compared to the general population. This emphasizes the need for mental health interventions as a preventive measure.
Recommendations for Enhancing Preventive Training
- Comprehensive Behavioral Training: Schools and organizations should implement training programs that educate staff on recognizing behavioral warning signs, such as drastic personality changes, expressions of intent to harm others, and declines in performance.
- Establish Threat Assessment Teams: Develop multidisciplinary teams to assess and manage potential threats. These teams can create intervention plans tailored to individual cases, potentially preventing violent incidents.
- Promote Mental Health Awareness: Integrate mental health education into training programs to help staff identify and support individuals experiencing crises.
- Encourage Reporting Mechanisms: Create clear, accessible channels for reporting concerning behaviors, ensuring that reports are taken seriously and addressed promptly.
Schools and organizations can create safer environments and potentially prevent future tragedies by shifting the focus from solely reactive measures to proactive, behavior-based interventions.
Peeler Group International’s PAAD Program
The Peeler Group offers a specialized training program known as PAAD (Prevent, Assess, Act, and Defend). This program emphasizes proactive measures in preventing active shooter incidents. Key advantages of the PAAD program include:
- Prevent: Training participants to recognize early warning signs and behaviors indicative of potential threats.
- Assess: Providing tools and methodologies to evaluate the credibility and severity of identified threats.
- Act: Developing actionable plans and interventions to address and mitigate potential threats before they escalate.
- Defend: Equipping individuals with strategies to protect themselves and others if a situation becomes unavoidable.
By integrating these components, the PAAD program offers a comprehensive approach to active shooter prevention, aligning with the growing emphasis on behavioral understanding and proactive intervention.
