(EMPORIA, Kan.)—
Police officers in Emporia prepare for a school shooting. After mass casualties around the country, officers say it could happen anywhere.Officers learn to go towards the threat, never knowing what is around each corner. "If we start hearing shots your mind kind of starts going in different places. You just prepare yourself really well and you learn to control your breathing. You just try to stay as calm as possible," said Emporia Police Officer Danny Delgadillo.
Emporia Police want to be ready if they ever have to face an active shooter. "We can't really prepare for the incident until we're actually there because things are just going to be really chaotic. But we've learned how to communicate better and just how to work as a team to make sure everybody stays as safe as possible," said Delgadillo.
Officers use blue simunition guns and just like real life, they actually shoot the pretend intruder. "Preparedness is everything. You always have to train like a real situation," said Lt. Jim Tilton.
The halls were empty during the drill because students are on spring break, but officers imagine where the kids might be. "Some of them will be hiding. Some of the classrooms will be locked. Some of them will be out running around," said Tilton.
Police want parents to know they're ready to protect kids in a real life shooting. "Hopefully, it will never happen. I just want them to feel safe in these schools," said Tilton.
