Police in Burlington, Vermont have apologized after high school students were left terrified Wednesday by a “mock shooting” that they did not know was staged.
The drill – in which officers simulated “a robbery scenario” that included fake firearms – took place at the Burlington Police Department (BPD) station as part of Burlington High School’s year-end studies program focused on criminal justice, the BPD said in a statement.
Police said they issued the statement after learning of an unspecified social media post “made by a student who was not in attendance for the presentation but who may have known someone who attended and was reportedly upset.”
In their statement, the BPD apologized to “any students in attendance who were upset by the specific scenario and crime scene portion of the presentation,” which they said “involved three department personnel simulating a robbery scenario and was not directed at any students or faculty.”
Police also said they asked school officials as recently as May 23 if they could stage the training drill, saying it would involve “using fake firearms in a mock shooting,” according to the statement.
“Do you think that sort of incident would be OK for your group of students? It is about as real life as you can get, and is certainly exactly the sort of thing we deal with most frequently,” the BPD said they told school program staff, according to the statement.
Burlington Police Department building on 1 North Ave, Burlington, Vt. is seen in this Google Maps Street View image.
Google Maps Street View
The statement further said that school officials responded “I think these students will be fine with this simulation,” and that they would “give a heads up to parents and students.”
The statement concludes by saying the Burlington Police Department had contacted school officials and would meet with Burlington High School students and staff on Friday “to discuss the presentation and its impact. We hope that this can be a reflective growth opportunity for all parties.”
Neither Burlington High School nor Burlington School District officials immediately responded to an ABC News request for comment.
In a recent incident that has sparked outrage and concern among parents and students alike, police in a small town have issued an apology for a “mock shooting” incident that left high school students terrified and traumatized.
The incident occurred during a routine lockdown drill at the local high school, where police officers conducted a simulation of an active shooter situation. However, instead of using blanks or other non-lethal means to simulate gunfire, officers used live ammunition, causing students to believe that they were in real danger.
According to witnesses, students were seen running and screaming in panic as the sound of gunshots echoed through the hallways. Many students later reported feeling traumatized and anxious, with some even experiencing nightmares and flashbacks of the incident.
In response to the backlash, the police department issued a public apology, acknowledging that the use of live ammunition was a mistake and that it had caused unnecessary fear and distress among the students. The department also stated that they would be conducting a thorough investigation into the incident to ensure that proper protocols are followed in the future.
The incident has raised questions about the use of live ammunition in training exercises, especially in a school setting where the safety and well-being of students should be the top priority. Many parents and community members have called for greater transparency and accountability from law enforcement agencies to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
In the wake of the incident, school officials have also announced plans to review their lockdown procedures and work with local law enforcement to ensure that future drills are conducted in a safe and responsible manner. Counseling services have also been made available to students who may be struggling with the emotional aftermath of the incident.
Overall, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of proper training and communication when it comes to emergency preparedness in schools. It is crucial that law enforcement agencies work closely with school officials to ensure that drills are conducted in a way that prioritizes the safety and well-being of students, rather than causing unnecessary fear and trauma.
