Jefferson County deputies undergo active shooter training ahead of school year

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Tenn. (WATE) — As schools are preparing to be back in session, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office ran their annual active shooter training at Mt. Horeb Elementary School.

“There is evil out there and it exists, and we have to do everything in our power to prevent that, said Sheriff Jeff Coffey.

The sheriff’s office completes active shooter training each year.

“It gives officers opportunity to get acclimated to the school, to see the different aspects of the school, how the layout of the school is, and to respond here,” said Coffey.

Coffey said they change the training each year, and try to make the threat seem as realistic as possible — starting with when they get the call.

“The officers are being dispatched from just about a quarter mile away, and the scenario is they’re on patrol, this happens, they’re a half mile away, a quarter mile away, and then they’re here and they’re going to be by themselves for a little bit,” said Coffey.

Once they are at the school, they simulate the worst-case scenario.

“We had a simulated explosion at the front doors. They had two people had pulled up, there’s a truck out front, they see that the doors are open. They came inside the school and went down one hallway. We had kids from the school system. We had teachers come in and volunteer to be patients, to be bystanders. So, as they’re coming in, there’s also students that’s coming out. We had a moulage, we had shell casings on the floor, and we try to make this as realistic as we can,” said Coffey.

They intend to prepare the officer for what it could look, and sound like in a real event.

“It’s up to them to go in and eliminate this threat because you have a building full of students, teachers, faculty assistants that are unarmed and you have to get in and stop that threat,” said Coffey.

Not only does this give officers the experience of handling this situation, but it puts the threat in perspective for teachers and staff.

“It helps them to understand. I mean, sometimes they don’t understand the magnitude of what it could be like,” said Coffey.

This training will continue through Tuesday with participation by other East Tennessee law enforcement agencies. Coffey said to expect heavy law enforcement presence in the area.

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