SHAWANO, WI (WTAQ)- In the wake of a recent school shooting, law enforcement of all sizes, including smaller departments are feeling the need to be ready.
Shawano Police Department may not be large, but officers are well aware, active shooters can strike anywhere.
Chief Dan Mauel says they did not change anything after Wednesday’s shooting at a Florida High School, but they work with officers and schools to get them prepared.
“Every August, we train all new Shawano School District teachers, and within the next few weeks, we are going to train all staff in Gresham as well.”
Mauel says the training that they offer schools is the ALICE response training.
“I am completley confident in our officers and Shawano county officers that they are prepared to react to a situation” Mauel said. “They would have a very good response and a very good outcome.”
At the County level, Sheriff Adam Bieber says he does his best to have deputies nearby Shawano County schools at the beginning of the day and the end of the day, but they are really only able to react to a threat.
“That’s the problem, we are only reacting to it. There is likely to be casualities because we are reacting and not preventing it from happening.”
Bieber says deputies know that they are to be patroling around schools throughout the county at the start and end of the school day.
“It is about at proactive as we can get as a department. Maybe if people see us nearby, they will think twice about trying a violent act.”
FeeHe say he feels helpless because all officers can do is respond.
“We have trained for this situation, but we have not trained to prevent it and that is the scary part.
Bieber says its time to be proactive, and have armed officers at each school, but that will cost some money.
“I don’t control the money, and I know it is a money issue. You should never have to have an armed guard at schools where kids are present, but in today’s world, you have to if you want to protect these kids.”
He also said legislative offficals should look at what kind of violent material kids are being exposed to at a young age.
“Politicans talk about guns, when they should really be talking about media and things that our kids watch everyday.”
Both Mauel and Bieber said they will continue to perpare their departments to know how to respond in case an unforseen situation occurrs.
