In response to the prevalence of violent ambush assaults on police officers and active shooter related incidents in our nation the Fond du Lac Police Department has, for the past few years, been very aggressively and continuously working on providing highly advanced training and improving equipment in order to quickly and effectively resolve these type of incidents for the safety of our officers and our community. Of course, those acts of violence have occurred both regionally and locally as well. The equipment advancements and improvements have included ballistic protective shields, rifle plates, and helmets, medical trauma kits, a significantly expanded number of rifles and breaching tools, and an armored vehicle (Bearcat) to provide ballistic protection. All sworn members of the Department, regardless of rank or assignment, have received extensive training in the use of all of this equipment and the operation of the armored vehicle. The Department has provided several of its members with highly advanced training and instructor level training in areas related to active shooter response. Those individuals have, in turn, been providing an ongoing cycle of advanced training in this area to all sworn members of the Department. Additionally, one of our Department members, Detective Scott Krause, holds an instructor level status on a team of active shooter response experts that travels throughout the state providing training for the members of other law enforcement agencies. That team is a part of a national team that is led by the FBI. Training for active shooter response is not limited to members of the Police Department; we are also partnering with the City of Fond du Lac Fire/Rescue Department on advancing capabilities for Rescue Task Force (RTF), a partnership between our departments that combines law enforcement response with paramedic/emergency medical services for victim care. Equally as important, the Police Department has been working to provide active shooter incident training and awareness for a growing number of area schools, churches, businesses, and organizations. The Police Department has also trained three of its officers, Officer Ryan Williams, Officer Erik Foster, and Officer Steve Olson, as instructors that are certified to provide this training to civilian groups. Essentially, this training helps to prepare community members on what to expect during law enforcement response as well as steps to be taken to survive an event. In addition, on-site security surveys can be provided by the Department to provide input into best environmental practices for minimizing an active shooter’s impact.
“While it is very regrettable that this type of training and preparedness are even necessary, the fact of the matter is that these acts of violence have become far too common in our society. The City of Fond du Lac Police Department has been very aggressive and deliberate in providing the members of our Department with ongoing and very advanced training so we are best prepared to respond to these types of incidents and end them. However, we are one part of that equation and we would encourage organizations of all types to consider calling upon us for training or, at a minimum, a security survey for their facilities or workplaces.”
Chief Bill Lamb, City of Fond du Lac Police Department.
