Acts of Violence
If an act of violence is taking place outside your building:
- Proceed to a room that can be locked or barricaded.
- Lock all doors and windows, turn out the lights and close the blinds if time and safety permit, and stay away from and below the window. Barricade the door if you can not lock it.
- Position yourself out of sight and behind items that might offer additional protection or stay low in a corner in the room away from the door.
- Dial 9-1-1- and advise the dispatcher of what is taking place and your location. Remain on the line to give the dispatcher any further information that may be needed.
- Remain in the room until the police or a campus administrator give the “all clear.” Be sure it is the police or a campus administrator who is giving the “all clear” and not the shooter attempting to gain entry into the room.
If an act of violence is taking place inside the building you are in:
- If the room can be locked, lock it and stay away from the door.
- If the room cannot be locked, determine if there is a nearby room that you could safely get to that can be locked. Consider barricading the door if you cannot lock it.
- Follow the other procedures listed above.
If an act of violence is taking place in your office or classroom:
- Dial 9-1-1 on your office, classroom or cell phone if possible.
- If it is possible to talk, give the offender’s location and description.
- If it is not safe to speak, just leave the line open so the dispatcher can hear what is taking place.
- If possible, attempt to engage the offender in conversation to allow time for emergency response.
- Attempting to overpower the offender with force should be considered as the last resort after all other options have been exhausted.
- If the offender leaves the area, attempt to lock the door or barricade the door or proceed to a safe location. If you aren’t able to barricade and decide to flee a violent situation:
- Have a route of escape in mind.
- Leave everything behind except your cell phone (do not worry about purses or book bags – those will only slow you down.)
- Keep you hands visible and follow the instructions of the police. You must remember, the police may not have an accurate description of the offender, so for everyone’s safety, you may be detained by the police.
- Do not stop to assist wounded victims or attempt to move them. Do tell the police where these victims are located.
What you should expect from the law enforcement responding to an active shooter or act of violence:
- Police are trained to proceed as quickly as possible to the sound of the gunfire.
- Their purpose is to stop the shooter(s)/offender(s).
- Officers may be in plainclothes, patrol uniforms or SWAT uniforms armed with rifles, shotguns or handguns.
- Do as the officers direct you and keep your hands visible at all times.
- If possible, tell the officers where the shooter(s)/offender(s) was last seen and a description of the shooter(s)/offender(s).
- Also, be aware that the first responding police officers will not stop to assist injured people. Other will follow to treat the injured. First responding officers are trained to proceed as quickly as possible to stop the threat.
Keep in mind that once you are in a safe location, the entire scene is a crime scene. The police usually will not let anyone leave until the situation is completely under control. Police may ask for your statement of what you heard and observed. Please cooperate with the police.
For more information about this policy, please contact UTC Campus Police at (423) 425-4357.
