4-11-2023 8:55am

Morris County Hosts Tactical Response Training for School Resource Officers

Morris County Hosts Specialized Tactical Training to Enhance School Safety and Emergency Response

Morris County law enforcement agencies are joining forces to strengthen their tactical response capabilities and enhance safety in schools throughout the region.

The Law Enforcement Active Assailant in the School Environment Program, a two-day training event, took place on April 3, 2023, with opening statements from Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Morris County Sheriff James Gannon, and Mendham Township Police Chief Ross Johnson, who serves as the 2023 President of the Morris County Police Chiefs Association.

The training was hosted by the Morris County Office of Emergency Management / Emergency Medical Services and Special Operations Group (SOG), in collaboration with the Morris County Prosecutor's Office, Morris County Sheriff's Office Emergency Response Team (SERT), Morris County Police Chiefs Association, and Morris County School Superintendents.

Designed for school resource and municipal officers, the program aims to build upon the existing Rescue Task Force Program, which integrates EMS and Fire first responders in large-scale events requiring immediate life-saving medical intervention.

Throughout the two-day program, attendees participated in tactical training classes conducted by Medicine in Bad Places organization and RANT Strategies. The program also featured the MCSO’s RSVP-3 (Responsible School Violence Prevention, Preparation and Protection) tactics program and a hands-on exercise at the Morris Plains Borough School when students were not present.

The program's ultimate goal is to enhance the ability of Morris County's law enforcement agencies to respond to emergency situations in schools effectively.

Prosecutor Carroll emphasized the importance of collaboration among law enforcement agencies, stating, "Morris County law enforcement’s strongest asset is our collaboration, and this training seeks to reinforce best practices for those tasked with protecting our schools."

Carroll also expressed his gratitude to the Morris County Office of Emergency Management / Emergency Medical Services and Special Operations Group for organizing the event, which comes in response to recent incidents at local schools that were neutralized by the vigilance of school staff and quick response from municipal and school resource officers.

As the county continues to prioritize the safety and security of its students and faculty, such training programs are vital in maintaining a well-prepared and unified response to potential threats.