A-G offers free school safety training

Ohio Attorney General’s Office information

COLUMBUS — Following the school shootings in Newtown, Connecticut on Friday, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine reminded educators, administrators and law enforcement of the free school safety and law enforcement training opportunities available through the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy (OPOTA), which is part of the Attorney General’s Office.

“I encourage school districts and local law enforcement to take advantage of the training opportunities available through OPOTA. The skills taught by our experienced faculty can literally be lifesaving,” said Attorney General Mike DeWine. “Following the tragic events in Chardon last February, we have increased the availability of our school safety trainings.”

OPOTA instructors teach courses emphasizing a protocol that minimizes the risk of encountering a threat, and maximizes the chances of survival if one is encountered.  Trainings are based upon studies of past school shootings, FBI statistics and information from other national experts.

Trainings for educators and law enforcement on school safety emphasize:

• Identifying potential threats and referring them to counseling services and/or law enforcement;
• Recommended protocol for responding law enforcement officers; and
• Recommended protocols for school administrators and educators when encountering an active threat in their facility

To address the recommended protocol for educators, OPOTA has developed a one day Active Shooter Training for Educators course.

In addition, for law enforcement OPOTA offers Profile of an Active Shooter and Single Officer Response to Active Threat courses.

OPOTA also offers law enforcement free training on firearms and driving via mobile simulators.  Today Attorney General DeWine attended simulator demonstrations in Delaware and Cleveland.

For more information on OPOTA courses, and a schedule of upcoming trainings, visit the Ohio Attorney General’s website at www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov, or contact OPOTA Executive Director Robert Fiatal at 740.845.2700.