The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office in partnership with the Maryland State Police and the College of Southern Maryland conducted a scenario training drill at the Leonardtown Campus on Dec. 18.  The training was designed to evaluate each agency’s procedures and preparedness for responding to an active shooter incident.

The exercise simulated a real-time active shooter incident which required all participants to make decisions and react pursuant to their training based on the conditions presented. The exercise was controlled and guided by public safety evaluators. Various commanders and administrators from the Sheriff’s Office, MSP and CSM observed and evaluated the training.

Roll players for the training were provided by the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office and students from the St. Mary’s Public School’s Criminal Justice Program at the Dr. James Forrest Technical Center. 

The training scenario was as follows: At approximately 10 a.m. a study student group composed of Criminal Justice Students gathered at CSM’s Leonardtown Campus during the holiday break to work on a class project when an armed subject entered the classroom and began to fire at the students.

CSM’s Campus Security received a call, via the campus emergency phone, about the shooting and contacted 911.  The Emergency Operations Center dispatched the call and law enforcement personnel responded. 

Upon conclusion of the exercise, observers and evaluators declared the training successful. Throughout the exercise, other agencies responded and were incorporated into the Emergency Response Plans.

Sheriff Timothy Cameron expressed his gratitude to all parties involved for their participation in the training.  Cameron also expressed his appreciation to CSM for their proactive approach to enhancing the safety of the public, students, faculty and staff who utilize the various campuses.

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