Federally Sponsored Statewide Rapid Response Training to be Held in Grand Rapids

GRAND RAPIDS, MI—The U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan, along with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Grand Rapids Public Schools, will be hosting Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT) next week. The training will be held at Pine School in Grand Rapids from July 15-18, 2013. The training is presented by Texas State University through funding by a number of government sources and is offered at no cost to participants. The training offered in Grand Rapids is a partnership between the FBI, the Bureau of Justice Assistance, VALOR, Texas State University, and the United States Attorney Offices in Eastern and Western Michigan. The Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training Center at Texas State University has partnered with the FBI to deliver this vital active shooter training across the nation. ALERRT has trained more than 45,000 officers in the United States since 2002 through federal and state funding.

This training lasts two days and involves both classroom work and practical exercises. The first session is for law enforcement departments from the Eastern District of Michigan, and it will be held July 15-16, 2013. The second session is for law enforcement departments from the Western District of Michigan and will be held July 17-18, 2013. Each session will have approximately 30 officers from 20 departments, allowing about 60 officers from over 40 departments to be trained over the four-day period. The United States Attorney Offices and the FBI are particularly grateful to the Grand Rapids Public Schools for allowing the use of Pine Elementary School for this important training.

The U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan, Patrick A. Miles, Jr., stated, “Unfortunately, no community is immune from a potential active shooter situation. This training in Grand Rapids is so law enforcement is ready if it does.”

Robert D. Foley, III, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office, added, “The FBI is proud to partner with the U.S. Attorney Offices in the Eastern and Western Districts, along with other agencies, to offer this valuable training designed to save lives during active shooter situations. The FBI is committed to ensuring the safety of citizens and protecting our communities.”

Barbara L. McQuade, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan, stated, “This training will better equip officers in Michigan to respond to an active shooter situation, which we have seen can occur at any time or any place.”

Larry Johnson, Assistant Superintendent and Executive Director of Public Safety for Grand Rapids Public Schools, said, “As a district, we are committed to comprehensive, ongoing training and emergency preparedness to ensure our professional staff are well equipped to handle the most difficult situations. It is truly an honor for us to partner with the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the FBI on this important training by making one of our schools available and to having some of our staff members participate.”

If the media is interested in receiving additional information regarding this training, please contact Kaye Hooker at 616-560-6512. There will be an opportunity for the media to meet with instructors, learn about the training, and take some still shots on Thursday, July 18, 2013, at 12:30 p.m.