LINN — Osage County deputies spent time last week at Linn R-2 undergoing Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT) training.

“It is geared specifically toward preparing first responders to engage and neutralize, as quickly possible, any active shooter type threat at any location,” Sheriff Michael Bonham explained, noting this is the first year his office has required this method.

Bonham noted that over the last 11 years, the ALERRT Center has used more than $27 million in state and federal grant funding to train more than 40,000 police officers nationwide in a dynamic, force-on-force scenario-based training. “One of the reasons I have adopted this training is standardization,” he added. “As more agencies use this training, we will remain on the same page.”

ALERRT training is not required by our state, but other states have made it mandatory. Bonham has adopted this standard moving forward. He set a goal that certified law enforcement personnel will be trained in the ALERRT method.

“We are training to meet the threat, and we’re prepared to meet that, and we will, if and when the time comes,” said Sheriff Bonham.

ALERRT instructors served as mentors and set up the scenarios for each individual and team. Law enforcement officers learn to engage through different scenarios, which include multiple threats, IEDs, and friendlies encountered. “They learn to go it alone if they are the first to respond or as part of a team if several make it to the incident simultaneously,” said Bonham.

In-house security is taken into account when active shooter training occurs in schools. “Text services are sent through the RAVE system if that is available, but it can be sent via local message,” said Bonham. “These scenes develop fast, and we will most likely be behind the curve. The radio will be our preferred means of communication. Phones would be awkward before the threat is handled.”

No Linn R-2 staff was involved with the training, which was only for members of law enforcement.

Seven deputies and 10 other law enforcement officers from mid-Missouri completed the 16-hour course.

During the training, deputies used weapons and ammunition called “simunitions,” or plastic bullets, allowing each deputy to use a duty weapon that is the exact same size and weight.

The weapon expends a projectile down range when they fire. “Of course, it’s not a live round, but it makes for a more real scenario,” said Bonham. “It gets their heart beating, and it gets them thinking. We take this type of training very seriously. We realize this is an incident that can occur in Osage County, even though it hasn’t; we are training for that contingency so we are as prepared we can be.”

Over the years, Bonham said he’s seen response times shorten and the capabilities of law enforcement increase. “As a result of increased public awareness, many citizens have asked what individuals can do to protect themselves and reduce the dangers faced during one of these events. Avoid/Deny/Defend has been developed as an easy-to-remember method for individuals to follow, and as we’ve seen that hiding and hoping isn’t a very effective strategy. It used to be Run/Hide/Fight.”