Timeliness...

It seems that the most tragic crimes and horrible events in America's recent history have been episodes of senseless killing where some warped individuals have acted out their death agendas in public places that should be considered sacred and safe.  

Unexplainable and frustrating is the fact that these killings seem to take place for no other reason than to kill and injure as many innocent people as possible.  

Ever since the 1999 school shootings at Columbine, Colorado, police officers across the nation have been training for a response to what is commonly called the "active shooter" situation. 

In training for such scenarios, police learn to respond with intensity and speed.  This training dictates that as soon as at least 2 police officers arrive at a scene,  they should enter the scene and move to the sound of the gunfire.  Police officers responding to the report of an active shooter must  quickly evaluate and confirm the reports, and then act accordingly.

The officers' objectives must be to stop the shooter first.  Officers must move immediately, swiftly,  and purposefully to locate and stop a shooter, and thus save as many lives as possible.

As additional officers arrive on scene, they will form teams and also deploy into the building.  Additional officers will secure and evacuate bystanders and victims, and begin the process of first aid.  

Training for these scenarios involves tactical movement as a group through buildings, along with communications to other responders.  It also involves contacting the shooter and stopping him with whatever force is necessary.

The Greenville Police Department annually trains for active shooter situations. 

While a SWAT Team is perhaps the best trained unit for responding to tactical situations,  it is the individual uniformed patrol officer who will be at the tip of the spear in an active shooter situation, at least until additional supporting units arrive and deploy.    

Knowing that the patrol officer will be first on the scene and first in the door is why officers train for these scenarios.  Time is of the essence in an active shooter situation.