For most people, the prospect of a school shooting is unthinkable. However, for those in law enforcement, it’s something they must always be ready for.

Dallas County Sheriff Chad Leonard says active shooter situations are scenarios he and his deputies are thoroughly trained in. Leonard points out that many agencies have different policies for school shootings, but the principles of how to handle the situation are fairly universal. He also says the best-practices are frequently being updated based on people’s experiences in live situations.

“Up until recently it’s been go right to the threat, and it still is that way. If you hear a shooting going on in that school, officers are to respond directly to the shooting. But then now they’re training, if you don’t hear any shooting, you are to secure an area of the school and allow paramedics to come in behind you and clear out injured people so they can get treatment a lot quicker, so we don’t have fatalities and those type of things. It takes a lot of good men and women to do this, and (I’m) just happy to be a part of that.”

Leonard adds, the active shooter situation at a school is one he and his deputies have yet to encounter in their careers, and he hopes that will always be the case. However, he assures people if the situation does arise, officers are well trained and equipped to deal with it. To hear more from Leonard, listen to today’s Perry Fareway Let’s Talk Dallas County program at RaccoonValleyRadio.com.