Active Attacker Survival
About active attacker survival
Active attacker situations can happen anywhere, at any time, often without warning. In those first moments, you may be the only one able to act. The decisions you make before police arrive can have a direct impact on your safety and the safety of others. Knowing how to respond quickly and effectively can help you protect yourself, reduce harm, and improve your chances of survival.
Run, Hide, Defend
What happens next
Learn what to do when police respond to an active attacker incident.
What to expect from police
The police response to an active attacker is focused on stopping the threat as quickly as possible. Officers will often enter the area in small teams of one to four, wearing regular patrol uniforms with Kevlar vests or other tactical equipment, and they may be armed with rifles, shotguns, and handguns.
When the police arrive
When officers arrive, they will not stop to tend to the injured until the threat has been eliminated. Remain calm and follow all instructions. Put down any items in your hands that could be mistaken for a weapon, raise your hands, and keep them visible at all times. Avoid making quick movements toward officers, pointing, screaming, or yelling. Officers may instruct you to lie down or may temporarily handcuff you. Do not stop to ask officers for help or directions; instead, proceed in the direction from which officers entered the area.
What to expect during a response
Officers will continue moving through the area to locate and stop the attacker. Their priority is neutralizing the threat, so assistance to injured individuals may be delayed until the area is secure. Movement may be directed by officers as they establish control of the scene.
How to help police respond
If you are able to assist, provide clear and accurate information when asked, including the attacker’s location, the number of attackers if more than one, a physical description, the type and number of weapons being used, and the location of any potential victims.
