Policy Text
Amir El -Farra , CHIEF OF POLICE
Professional Standards Division NUMBER: 2024 -01
ISSUED: June 25, 2024
This training bulletin is to inform all department personnel of the updated Standard Response
Protocol related to school “S ecure” and “Lockdown” procedures . Ensuring the safety and security
of students, faculty, and staff is of utmost importance. Adhering to these procedures will enhance
our preparedness and effectiveness in handling such incidents.
Previously , when there was police activity near or at a school campus, patrol officers would have
dispatch call the nearby school and place them on Lockdown.
Now, officer s will determine the need to put the nearby school(s) on a “ Secure ” or a “ Lockdown .”
The term " Secure " is used when there is a potential threat that can be mitigated by bringing
everyone inside. The school administration will announce w ith the directive, "Get inside, L ock
outside doors," which signals to bring people in and lock exterior doors . While it calls for
heightened situational awareness, it also allows for indoor activities to continue.
The term " Lockdown " means there is an active or imminent threat inside or nearby requiring
immediate protective action . The school administration w ill announce, "Locks, Lights, Out of Sight"
and requires locking classroom doors, turning out the lights, and remaining hidden until first
responders arrive.
If the threat is outside the building , “Secure. ” If the threat is inside or on the campus,
“Lockdown. ”
Examples:
If an officer(s) is conducting a traffic st op of an Armed and Dangerous, Stolen Vehicle, or a Wanted
Person vehicle on a street located near a school campus, officers may request all nearby schools
be put on a “ Secure” until the police situation is no longer classified as at -risk.
TRAINING BULLETIN
SWAT and HNT are serving a planned search warrant at a location ne ar a school(s) may request
to place the school campus on a “ Secure ” until the incident is no longer classified as at -risk.
Police are actively searching for or chasing a Wanted subject towards or near a school campus,
officers may ask all nearby schools t o be placed on “ Lockdown ” until the suspect(s) is
apprehended or officers determine the situation is no longer at -risk.
If the situation is not clear and officers are trying to determine which procedure to use, a
“Lockdown ” will be called.
As the police incident evolve s, a “Secure ” can be turned into a “ Lockdown ” and a “ Lockdown ”
can be lowered into a “ Secure .”
All school administrates, teachers, and staff have been trained on the new Standard Response
Protocol. Emergency Operational information sheets are attached for further information; the
schools use the information sheets for quick references related to the determined emergency
action.
Corporal Adam Zmija
Youth Service Unit