School Security Assessment Training Provided To Morris Co. Police

MORRIS COUNTY, NJ — In an ongoing effort to secure schools and promote a safe learning environment, the Morris County Prosecutor's Office Homeland Security Unit provided School Security Assessment Training to 60 Morris County law enforcement officers.

The School Security Assessment Training is intended to assist law enforcement in conducting school security assessments in their respective jurisdictions.

The training took place at the Morris County Public Safety Training Academy on July 19 and August 16.

“There is no more important security assignment than the protection of our children and teachers in the school facilities. Regrettably, we are faced with evildoers who wish harm to our precious children and protective and intelligence gathering measures as outlined in these programs will help harden our defense of our schools,” Morris County Prosecutor Robert Carroll said.

The course was designed and presented by the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) program, Risk Mitigation Planners. UASI's mission is to ensure the maintenance and enhancement of counterterrorism capabilities, as well as to plan for and respond to catastrophic events.

The first class was held in 2013, following the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Connecticut.

Following the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida in 2018, classes were held statewide with the assistance and collaboration of the New Jersey State Police and the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness.

Due to the program's success and demand, the New Jersey State Police has adopted it and will tailor it to train Troopers in September.

"The protection of our citizens and especially our children is the highest priority of all our law enforcement partners," Carroll said.