A message from IACP President Craig T. Steckler - Tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT
Friday, December 14, 2012 by IACP President Craig T. Steckler
Dear IACP Member:
As a Police Chief, a father and a grandfather, I am deeply shocked and saddened by today’s unthinkable tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. I know that you join with me, and your fellow members of the IACP, in offering our thoughts and prayers to the victims, their families and all those affected by this unspeakable crime.
In the days ahead, this tragedy will undoubtedly, and understandably, cause citizens throughout the country and the world to wonder about the safety of their children and the students in their communities. As a public safety leader you will certainly be called on to address these concerns and to reassure your community that their schools are safe and that your department is well positioned to protect the students.
As you prepare to address these concerns, I urge you to review IACP’s Guide for Preventing and Responding to School Violence. Prepared in cooperation with the Bureau of Justice Assistance, the guide provides a number of strategies and approaches for creating safer schools. In particular the report focuses on steps that law enforcement, teachers, administrators, parents, students and the community can take to prevent school violence. In addition, the report details critical recommendations related to threat assessment, crisis planning, and response during and after an incident. A copy of the report can be found by clicking here.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has also developed training programs and information on how to prepare and respond to active shooters in a workplace environment. This information is available here.
I can assure you that the IACP is committed to working with national leaders, including the National Law Enforcement Partnership to Prevent Gun Violence, to stem the unacceptable level of gun violence in the United States. To honor this commitment, we must all work together towards a solution.
Again, I offer my heartfelt sympathy to those affected by this incomprehensible and horrific act.
Sincerely,
Craig T. Steckler
President
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