Active Shooter Training Program

Precipitated by active shooter incidents in schools, the workplace, and public buildings throughout the nation, the Sheriff’s Office provides active shooter training to schools, court buildings, government buildings, and churches across Washtenaw County. Initially recognizing the need, Sheriff’s Office staff worked with public entities throughout Washtenaw County to select and implement a response method. The group adopted the A.L.I.C.E. (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, and Evacuate) program which provides options that can be used in the event an intruder/shooter enters a building.

Washtenaw County Schools, in partnership with the Washtenaw Intermediate School District (WISD), Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office and local law enforcement agencies from across the county, began implementing an active shooter response program during the 2013-2014 school year. Since then thousands of staff at various public institutions have been trained. 

If you are interested in participating in our Active Shooter Training Program please contact Sergeant Rush. You can also see an example of what takes place during our training sessions by watching episode 5 of Beyond the Badge. 

Participating Law Enforcement

  • Ann Arbor Police Department
  • Chelsea Police Department
  • Eastern Michigan University Police Department
  • Milan Police Department
  • Northfield Police Department
  • Pittsfield Township Police Department
  • Saline Police Department
  • University of Michigan Public Safety
  • Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office
  • Ypsilanti Police Department

Participating School Districts

  • Ann Arbor Public Schools
  • Chelsea School District
  • Dexter Community Schools
  • Lincoln Consolidated Schools
  • Manchester Community Schools
  • Milan Area Schools
  • Saline Area Schools
  • Whitmore Lake Public Schools
  • Ypsilanti Community Schools

An Overview of the ALICE Approach

  • Alert: Sound an alarm of the situation at hand and call 911. Information of the situation should be provided by all means possible including the Public Address system. (Example: gunman in cafeteria)
  • Lockdown: Doors should be locked to provide a time barrier and give students and teachers time to recognize the threat. If they are not in the danger zone they should evacuate as fast as possible.
  • Inform: If possible keep teachers, students, and police up to date on the shooters location inside the school.
  • Counter: Interrupt the physical act of the shooting. If the shooter walks into a classroom or hall and you have no escape route start throwing anything and everything you can at him/her to interrupt his/her shooting and his/her accuracy. This is a last resort and is a survival process to stay alive. If the gunman/woman can be overpowered by multiple people after being distracted and hit with items swarm the shooter and detain him/her.
  • Evacuate: We want as many people away from the situation as possible. If during the alert stage or any other stage the student is not near the shooter, students should evacuate as fast as possible.