Granite School District and West Valley Police partner to train for active shooter scenarios

SALT LAKE CITY — Classrooms were filled with police officers rather than students Thursday at Hunter Jr. High School. The Granite School District and West Valley Police Department used the school for active shooter training.

It’s a great chance to actually train in a school in case the worst were to happen, according to the GSD.

But nearing the one-year anniversary of the Hunter High shooting, spokesman Matt Sampson said they’re taking training very seriously.

“It allows us to communicate and collaborate with our allied police agencies and be able to work on effective communication and strategy,” said Sampson. “So that should the unthinkable occur we are prepared for that.” 

Sampson said officers took turns roleplaying as students and as responding officers.

This kind of training involves a lot of coordination, according to the GSD. But, the district pointed out, so does an emergency response if there’s an active shooter.

Sampson said they’re taking safety seriously to protect students but they also want to create a culture where students and parents take an active role. So if they see something they say something. 

The district also wants parents to remember that there are other ways they work to keep students safe like with the SafeUT app.

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