Credit: WFAA

WFAA
Author: Krista Summerville
Published: 5:03 PM CST January 18, 2024

DALLAS — The Department of Justice on Thursday released a scathing report about law enforcement’s response to the May 2022 mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas.

“Unfortunately, it seems to confirm what we already knew, which is that despite the training that law enforcement received in active shooter training, they did not follow their own training," said Sen. John Cornyn.

In a press conference, the DOJ said they listed 273 recommendations for how officials should respond to mass casualty incidents. 

“Hopefully this will be important information for law enforcement to double down on their active shooter training," said Cornyn.

With school safety at the top of parents' minds, WFAA reached out to several local police departments including Fort Worth,  Frisco, Grapevine, Mesquite and Everman for a response to the 273 recommendations. Here's what they told us.

Forth Worth PD

The department says they are still combing through the 600+ page report but did provide some background regarding their approach to school safety.

"We are already doing all of the recommendations in section 2, Tactics and Equipment. Furthermore, FWPD has adopted the ALERRT training and response model, which is considered national best practice, for our own policies and training. Our department has an advanced training program and a large number of ALERRT instructors who provide regular training on active shooting events and related issues."

The department also said it has 196 certified instructors to provide regular updated active shooter training to the area schools.

Frisco PD

The department praised its partnership with Frisco ISD in providing a safe environment for students and staff. The department says they meet regularly with school officials and conduct active training at each campus where staff are presented with scenarios to help them better react should the unthinkable happen.

"Creating one of the largest School Resource Officer Units in the state (that are not ISD officers)," the department said in a statement to WFAA.

Frisco PD says their officers are consistently present and available to students and staff alike, acting in a law enforcement capacity, while also being a mentor and counselor.

Grapevine PD

Grapevine PD told WFAA it is still reviewing the report and the recommendations however they confirmed the department is already implementing several of the recommendations. Including:

• Training that utilizes ICS structure for large-scale tactical events
• Active shooter training that includes ways to breach and enter rooms
• Plans to release swift, proactive, accurate, and transparent messaging to the public
• Multiagency preparedness exercises on school campuses annually
• A crisis communication plan drafted by the PIO (Public Information Officer)

The department also said its school resource officers are stationed at each campus during all school hours. 

"Our SROs actively participate when each campus hosts active shooter drills. SROs additionally complete extra training each year," Grapevine PD said.

Mesquite PD

As the department continues to review the recommendations they acknowledge they are an active part of the Mesquite ISD safety committee throughout the year. They also said every high school has two school resource officers and there are one at every middle school, all of which are Mesquite Police Officers. 

"We conduct active shooter training regularly on MISD campuses, and we include MISD personnel in some training so that they know what to expect from their police department," MPD said.

Garland PD

"We are aware that the report has been released and are in the process of scrutinizing the recommendations set forth within it. Please be assured that our dedication towards active shooter training and regular communication with our school district remains ongoing. As always, our efforts in ensuring the safety of our schools continue to be unyielding. The Garland Police Department will work diligently alongside our school district to uphold all necessary precautions and guarantee that our department complies with all state requirements," the department said in a statement to WFAA.

North Richland Hills PD

The department told WFAA it's taking time to review the report and "assess any recommendations that may impact current policy and procedure."

North Richland Hills PD says it has a strong partnership with Birdville ISD by regularly attending safety and security meetings, and monthly lockdown training with schools throughout the district.

In July 2023, the City of North Richland Hills hosted a full-scale active shooter training exercise alongside several regional agencies. They plan on continuing those exercises every three years.

Everman PD

The department says they are actively reviewing the 273 recommendations and say it is likely they will implement the recommendations once the report is fully reviewed. Currently, the Chief of Police and the School Resource Officer Division Sergeant actively serve on the Everman ISD School Safety Committee.

In addition to conducting active shooter training the department provides C.R.A.S.E. training to school staff as well as "other relevant training and drills together."

Collin County Sheriff's Office

Although CCSO is not a city police department, deputies do oversee a few schools in their jurisdiction.

"From the sections that we have reviewed so far, we are compliant and/or currently practicing," the agency said.

CCSO says they have been attending school safety meetings since 2019, and have "partnered with school districts and other law enforcement dept. to conduct training for years now"

We have reached out to other police departments in the DFW metroplex and waiting to hear back. Once we have a response WFAA will update this story.