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Surveillance:

The protocols or standard operating procedure calls for a Surveillance Control Officer to be trained on the use of the Texas Guardians Portal. A police officer is preferred for this position as he/she would have the knowledge and experience regarding the response by multiple law enforcement agencies to an emergency. The SCO is to be required to become an expert on the positions of all campus cameras and the layouts of every structure operated by the school district. 

The SCO will be in a Surveillance Control Room in a secure location. The room will contain a workspace that includes computers, cameras, radios, and land line phone. Access to this room needs to be limited to the SCO, superintendent, and the police chief if the district has a police department. 

 

Sensors:
Every room and common area will have a Abnormal Sound detector that can alert the SCO about a possible
shooting and will automatically bring up the closest camera on his computer screen. 

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Alerts:
The system includes mobile phone applications for teachers, administrators, and support staff. The app has a simple function with one button press that alerts the SCO to a possible emergency. Once that alert is sent, the sender’s location is tracked by the system and the SCO will be able to maneuver throughout the campus using the cameras to locate and identify any possible threat.

 

Upon confirming that there is an active shooter or an armed threat, the SCO will be able to alert first responders through a mobile phone application. That app will be issued to whichever local, state, or federal law enforcement agencies the school district believes are closest and most likely to respond to their assistance.

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Law enforcement administrators will be required to provide a list of officers who will be given access to the app since the download will be password protected. The entities using the app must provide the officer’s mobile phone number, name, and badge number or call sign.

 

Every person using the app must also consent to the system tracking their phones live while the emergency event is taking place. Officers who receive the emergency alert on their mobile phones will click on a “Responding” icon to begin the process. This allows the SCO to keep track of the threat and the location of first responders. This is necessary for the SCO to accurately guide officers to the location of the threat.

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Active Shooter Response:
Once a threat is confirmed, the SCO will activate an alert that places the campus on lockdown. A simultaneous alert is sent to every first responder that has downloaded the app. The SCO will be able to track the threat with cameras that can zoom in to assist in identifying weapons and gear. The video seen by the SCO will be forwarded to the first responders. Law enforcement will be able to watch live video of the threat and the location. 

The SCO will be able to see the location of first responders in order to guide them towards the threat by providing directions around the school grounds and during their approach to the campus entrances. Once officers are within camera range, the SCO will be able to track officer movements within the school. 
There are multiple options for the SCO to communicate with the officers. Since the location of each officer is identified by their badge number or call sign, the SCO can send a specific officer information and directions. 
This can be done through the app itself, or if more practical, the SCO can call the officer directly to his phone and maintain an open line. 

 If arrangements are made with local law enforcement agencies, the SCO may have access to radio communications with the officers. The system will automatically make the campus WIFI available without a password so that mobile phones can still receive messages and calls in areas with bad phone reception. The activation of the alert by the SCO will also cause the campus alarms to signal a lockdown. 
Although there may be numerous calls being placed to 911 services by school employees and students, this system does not rely on that service. 

The system is intended to provide first responders with all the information needed to locate and stop the threat. Any delays in response or hesitation due to lack of courage, weapons, or gear is entirely a law enforcement issue.