This week we learned about the different methods of policing such as; single officer entry, rescue task forces, and combat casualty care. In the case of a mass shooting I do believe that the best force to use would be that of the tactical first aid. I feel like this is the best course of action because I do believe that while neutralizing the situation is important I also think that minimizing the casualties and deaths is really important. The tactical first aid team is trained in the basics of policing as well as thorough training in ways to handle injures that pertain or are common in mass shootings. I think that even though officers are normally trained in how to handle certain wounds that when they know how deal with wounds that me fatal if not treated in time. I do think that if all of the officers in this unit know how to treat victims of a mass shooting some can go and neutralize the situation while others can help the people who are injured instead of them waiting for the situation to be over so that the EMT's can come in if they can just help keep the person alive until then their could be way less casualties.
I think that the most significant challenges officers can face when dealing with a mass shooting are dealing with the shooter themselves because sometimes people can't be talked down from somewhere if the have already made up their mind. I also think that the officers having to deal with the weight of the death that the mass shooting caused if they took to long to get there. I think that when mass shootings happen officers do have a lot on their plate with having to save the civilians and trying to neutralize the situation or deescalate it to make the shooter stop. I do believe that if officers were given the proper training on certain things they could handle mass shooting better than they do now.
I think one of the hardest decisions to make as an officer in that situation is to not stop to help the wounded. Without a doubt, anyone would want to do all that they can to try and help an injured person. Though with the hanging threat of a potentially still active shooter, they have no choice but to continue on and circle back later. The difficulty with triage work is that you need to carry all the supplies necessary to treat multiple injured patients. Officers can't realistically carry on their person enough supplies for a mass casualty event. Whatever supplies they may have would be used in case a fellow officer, or if they themselves were hit. Carrying around a bag and having the necessary skill set, would in essence make them kinda similar to an EMT. Though an EMT would be much more capable, both in skill and supplies to better care for the injured. Waiting for enough officers to arrive before entering would take a similar amount of time as officers with EMTs arriving and entering. A very thoughtful answer with great intentions. Good job!
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