Active shooter incidents first responders: Analysis of recommendations in after-action reports

Abstract

This study aims to understand and structure, in a well-founded manner, the priorities for improvement that police departments should adopt to better qualify first responders in crises involving active aggressors. To this end, it analyzes recommendations in Post-Event Reports of incidents that occurred in educational institutions in the United States of America. Using the content analysis methodology, the recommendations were coded, categorized, and analyzed. The results can better guide the processes of improving procedures, protocols, policies, equipment, and training in police institutions. This prioritization is essential, as it usually requires scarce resources. Due to their particularities, critical events involving active aggressors require unusual procedures. Preparation and planning for crises of different types may not be sufficient, given the specificities of these cases. Therefore, relevant aspects may be neglected by security agencies. Finally, past cases have reformulated police action policies and protocols, especially for first responders. Thus, pragmatic analysis can provide cogent and substantially relevant elements for police preparation in the face of the incidents in question. In this sense, the themes and categories analyzed suggest best practices and improvements in a specific but necessary scenario.