The Arlington Police Department participated in a successful active-shooter training exercise in two sessions, on June 24-25 and June 26-27.

Police trained at the Bishop Elementary School to refine their active-shooter response skills. 

The Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT) was led by federal law enforcement instructors, and provided officers with scenario-based training. During the training, officers practiced and learned new techniques and strategies to stop an active shooter, a July 2 news release says.

Arlington active-shooter training. / APD photo Over the course of the two-day, 16-hour training, officers practiced skills, including room-entry techniques and principles of team movement.

"While we hope we never have to use these skills, the ALERRT training was comprehensive, and provided an invaluable opportunity for our officers to practice responding to an active shooter situation," Acting Chief Julie Flaherty said in the release.

"Training opportunities such as this make our department stronger, and better prepare us to respond in the event of an emergency. Thank you to all who made this training possible."

The ALERRT Center at Texas State University has trained more than 130,000 police and fire officials in the United States. 

ALERRT’S curriculum — developed after the tragedy at Columbine High School in Colorado — has become the national standard in active-shooter response training for first responders.

A police spokesman has been asked how many officers participated.

This news announcement was published Thursday, July 4, 2019.