‘Fail to prepare, prepare to fail’

Local law enforcement trains in active shooter response

ralphhardin@gmail.com Over the weekend, representatives from several local law enforcement agencies engaged in some inter-departmental training in active shooter response.

“Yesterday, officers with the Marion Police Department, Crittenden County Sheriff’s Department, Marion School District Security and other officers spent their Saturday training all day in regards to active shooter training,” Crittenden County Sheriff Mike Allen shared via social media. “Officers have been through this training before, but we feel it is important to continually train to stay sharp in regards to dealing with active shooters.”

Recent mass shootings in Texas and Ohio only highlight the need for vigilance and readiness.

“The old saying is ‘To Fail to Prepare is to Prepare to Fail,’” said Allen. “We want our officers ready for any situation anywhere.

This training will continue and will involve all emergency first responders in coming weeks.”

While no one wants to ever have to put the training the officers received over the weekend to use, the sheriff plans to keep local LEAs on the forefront of techniques to identify, address and prevent potential mass shooting incidents.

“I want to thank Marion School District and their Security Division, the Marion Police Department Chief Gary Kelley, County Judge Woody Wheeless, County Emergency Management Coordinator Bud Spears, Walmart for their donation and support to keep our officer hydrated and Lt. Darrell Prewitt and Sgt. Scott Glass and all other officers involved that taught the training.

Yesterday’s training was on the Marion High School grounds. Thanks to everyone involved.”

The post drew several positive responses from the community.

“This is wonderful to know!” said Nicole Roed- er. “I hope our community or schools never have to act on what they’ve been trained on, but as a parent of a student in MSD, this is very reassuring. Thanks to all!”

“So wonderful that everyone is aware of the possibility of active shooters in school or a business,” said Bobbie Griffith. “Thanks to all that are trained in this realm. May God protect all of our police, fire, and first responders in their daily job.”

Mike Holmes, who attended the training added, “Great training! I learned so much. Thanks, guys!”