HHF – Violent Intrusion/ Action Defense Preparations

Introduction

Given the factors and conditions of the environment of any college, institution, or largely populated public place, it is possible that a violent assailant may enter onto South Plains College property with the intent to cause serious bodily injury to others. This policy serves to address the systems and management for preparations to assist with defenses against violent intrusion/ action including active shooter events. It is the goal of South Plains College to reduce fear of such incidents by empowering stakeholders to take action and providing them with the skills to be successful in implementing survival tactics.

Recommendation for Response: ALICE

Should a violent intruder or active shooter situation occur, South Plains College recommends all employees follow the training of the ALICE Training Institute’s program as provided, free of charge to all employees, by online training and/or experiential training provided by the South Plains College Police Department. ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, and Evacuate) training hinges on five recommended/approved tactics. ALICE should not be followed in sequential order; actions should be based on the knowledge at hand and personal decision-making. Contact the South Plains College Police Department to access this training. Instructor lead scenario trainings are provided periodically throughout the year and are also available upon request by contacting the South Plains College Police Department.

Alert

South Plains College uses Blackboard Connect to disseminate emergency notifications. You may receive an official warning notification from law enforcement or College administration or you may receive notification by discovery of violent action such as hearing gunshots, seeing other flee, or witnessing violence. Take any notification seriously and act immediately.

Lockdown

If evacuation is not possible it is recommended that you “lockdown” by locking and securing all entrances to your area if possible and quickly build a barricade using available items and furniture. Ensure that vision into the area is obstructed any way possible. Do not huddle in a specific area; spread out and prepare to counter. Evacuate when receiving an official “all clear” notification by the College. If official notification has not been received, do not open the door for any person including police; police will only announce presence and infiltrate the area after official “all clear” notification is sent and infiltration is required to preserve life.

Evacuate

If the shooter/ assailant is not in your area it is recommended that you evacuate and prepare to counter should you encounter the assailant as you flee the area. Do not return to the area for any reason even if you suspect a false alarm. Get entirely off campus unless instructed to go to a designated are by law enforcement.

Inform

If it can be done safely, contact 911, local police, Campus Police, security, or anyone you can get information to. Notify of any information known. The most crucial information is the location and description of the assailant if known.

Counter

Do not purposefully seek out the assailant, but counter if assailant is encountered. Remember that acting against the assailant puts power in your hands and gives you control of the situation. Doing nothing or responding to demands gives the assailant control. Do not fain death or to try to reason with someone actively causing harm. Counter involves distracting and disrupting the assailant (including but not limited to screaming and throwing of any available objects; objects do not have to cause injury to be effective). Instruct others to act against the assailant. When the assailant is distracted or their process is disrupted close distance to engage if within a reasonable distance, grab on to the assailants limbs, especially arms used to wield weapons, pinning tight to your center of mass, and use body weight to take the assailant to the ground and hold them there. Request help from others if available. Those not engaging the assailant should secure the weapon by placing it in any container including a trash can or by placing a container on the weapon and ensuring its security. When the assailant is distracted or their process is disrupted, escape if you are not close enough to engage the assailant unless others have engaged and need assistance.

 

Use of Intruder Defense Systems

South Plains College prohibits the use and installation of any additional devices or mechanisms of any door, doorframe, or window of any College property. South Plains College prohibits the permanent modification to the structure of any College door, doorframe, or window other than for the purpose of repair or replacement. The inherent features of intruder defense systems and other devices manufactured or designed in their intended use as a method of ingress prevention pose a risk to safety and security during non-intruder periods of operation including emergencies. Devices other than those that exist for normal door and window function such as the lock and/or deadbolt system manufactured for the door are prohibited from installation and use by any South Plains College employee.

 

Use of Prepared Resources Kits

South Plains College allows employees to prepare in advance for the possibility of violent action. Kits or containers of any kind of which contents are intended to assist in countering violent intrusion or action are permitted to be placed in a classroom or other workspace or common area. These must be approved by the Chief of Police and must display an official label provided by the South Plains College Police Department. South Plains College is not responsible for funding any product of this nature.

Firearms for Defense

South Plains College permits the carry of concealed handguns by possessors of a License to Carry (LTC) or the formerly issued Concealed Handgun License. South Plains College recommends that licensed holders follow all training received during the licensing process and recommends using lawfully carried firearms for defense when lethal force is justified and when the factors of the environment present favorable conditions to reduce injury to non-assailants. The person using a firearm for any purpose is the sole responsible party for any effects of ammunition fired.

For more information about the South Plains College policy on concealed carry of handguns, please visit: https://www.southplainscollege.edu/campuscarry.php

 

Approved on: 8/6/2018

Approved by: Executive Council