In response to the incident Monday morning at Ohio State University, IU Police Department immediately ensured all officers were aware of the reported active shooter, Capt. Andy Stephenson said. He also asked the Bloomington Police Department to extend its patrol district into campus for the remainder of the week.
The collaboration is a measure for increased visibility and peace of mind, Stephenson said. However, if the attack had occurred at IU, the police response would have been similar to OSU’s.
“Upon a confirmed report, we’d send out an IU Notify message alerting everyone to the situation,” Stephenson said. “Obviously officers would be responding.”
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Until officers can arrive, IUPD recommends the run-hide-fight response, also promoted by the OSU police, for all people on campus.
First, if people determine they can escape a building where they hear gunshots, they should run. If they feel the gunshots are too close or they can see the shooter, they should hide, secure doors, silence phones and call 911.
“If they can’t run and they can’t hide, the last resort is to fight, and it’s a life-and-death situation,” Stephenson said. “Any weapon that you can find — make anything a weapon. Do what you have to do to try to subdue the shooter.”
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IUPD offers a community program with more specific instructions for how to handle an active shooter situation, and the department is willing to facilitate the training upon request from any organization or department on campus.
Those interested can contact Sgt. Shannon Bunger at sbunger@indiana.edu to schedule a workshop, Stephenson said.
IU Emergency Management & Continuity has also constructed a webpage available at protect.iu.edu/emergency-planning/procedures/active-shooter.html with a video detailing a plan of action in active shooter scenarios.
IUPD engages officers in active shooter training multiple times each year, Stephenson said. The types of training include small-scale drills within the agency, discussions about the role of each person in the department and sometimes incorporation into monthly firearms training.
The department has also run through a full-blown active shooter exercise in the Kelley School of Business, Stephenson said. It involved setting up a command center and working with the fire department, ambulance services and all local law enforcement, including the Indiana State Police.
Stephenson said IUPD trains often for active shooter scenarios but campus could benefit from more large-scale exercises.
