This 'tactical drill' no more than a demonstration to all the students of the lack of intelligence of both administrators and police. I hope someone puts the officers on report. Every "drill" I've ever been involved with or witnessed included heavy communication with everyone, quasi staged realistic environments, media involvment and controlled areas. I could have seen a class being asked to participate and the building being set up to allow a drill with full understanding, practice, and control of the drill. These officers and administration involved showed huge negligence. It drove home to me once more the importance of weapons identification as much as possible. A situation like that here in Utah would have merited the undercover looking down my barrel as I procede to advise him that he is going to be seeing a hollowpoint fairly quick. Whether it meritted a shot or not would have depended on continued actions. Especially with a painted gun. I certainly would not treat it as a training gun in an unknown situation like this. It probably would have bought the person a second or two before they met defensive action. The sheer fact that they thought cell phone messages was enough is inexcusable. In actual drills done by people who actually know what the blank they are doing, everyone involved reads and signs that they know and the campus or facility is informed heavily in the media and other forms of communication, just in case. Irregardless all those involved know its a drill and those who dont are outside the perimiter and notified by local individuals or law enforcment as they approach. Amazing the stupidity. If someone would have drawn and shot that officer, they would have probably met huge fines and jail time, because they were carrying illegally and they shot an officer. I always keep my cell on during class just on vibrate. The teachers ask us to turn them off, but I think its safer to have them on or put them on silent as most cells have this feature now. Mine has an auto dial and e-911 locator. So even if I'm down for the count I am one button away from the cavalry hearing what is going on and sending help!!! :)
They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.
---Benjamin Franklin, Historical Review of Pennsylvania, 1759.