Palos Park Police To Conduct Active Shooter Drills Saturday and Sunday

PALOS PARK, IL — The Palos Park Police Department will be conducting active shooter drills for the next two weekends at secluded locations in the village. Officers will be running various drills Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 12 and Nov. 13.

Residents can expect to see increased police activity for the next two weekends at the Metra Station, 12200 S. 82nd Ave.; Palos Park Public Works, 8999 W. 131st St.; and Palos Park Village Hall, 8999 McCarthy Road. All of these venues will be closed during the training.

“By holding drills to train our staff in crisis situations brings multiple levels of fear together, including the person in crisis, the bystanders, and officers responding to the scene,” Palos Park Police Commander Chris Hughes said. “These simulated situations will challenge officers who will have to make choices quickly, that require a skilled and trained police force.”

>>> Palos Park Police To Offer Free Active Shooter Training

Role playing in a variety of simulated scenarios will enhance officers’ skills to bring the temperature down in violent or threatening situations, reducing the potential for injury or death. Officers will be focusing on intervention, communication and active listening skills. Police will also focus on threat assessment and making quick decisions on the need for using various levels of force.

At the conclusion of each exercise are peer reviews to assess officers’ response within each step, not find fault with anyone, but to find out if parts of the response plan aren’t working. Police will also be examining their emergency protocol and the need for adjustment in fluid situations, such as an active shooter.

“Police officers must have flexibility, just like real-life scenarios, Chief Joe Miller said. “The Palos Park Police Department to have sobering conversations about the real possibility of a violent threat and ability to respond swiftly in a chaotic situation is a good thing.”

So, if you see someone freaking out on social media about SWAT teams at the Metra Station, remind them that it’s only a drill.