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Running head: Responding to Critical Incidents

Responding to Critical Incidents

Student Raymond Garcia

University of San Diego: Professional & Continuing Education

Community Engagement LEPS-520-01-SP16

Professor Dr. Adolfo Gonzales

March 26, 2016

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Running head: Responding to Critical Incidents

Critical incidents can be challenging and complex problems that require

Law enforcement agencies to respond efficiently, and effectively. The nature of

these critical incidents can range from an array of different scenarios and each

one will require a unique response. The manner in which critical incidents are

managed have the ability to effect not only law enforcement personnel but the

citizens directly and non-directly involved. Prior critical incidents have the ability

to change future law enforcement response, tactics and protocols. Prior incidents

can serve as a lesson or example for other first responders regarding what type

of tactics worked and what didnt work.

In light of recent active shooter type scenarios, the San Bernardino Terrorism

Shooting incident caught the attention of millions of people across the United

States. It was an incident that not a lot of people suspected could have

occurred in California. The incident was dynamic in nature, and quickly unfolded,

which took place on December 2, 2015. Married couple Syed Farook and

Tashfeen Malik targeted a San Bernardino County Department of Public Health

Training event, which lead to 14 people being killed and 24 injured.

As the active shooter event concluded, several innocent bystanders were killed

or injured. Many more were traumatized by incident and left wondering why and

how did this incident take place. As people searched for answers, law

enforcement collaborated at the incident command center to address the

situation in a media conference. Representatives of the San Bernardino Police

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Department, San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department and the Federal

Bureau of Investigation, commented on the incident. During the press conference

they provided the media with details about the incident without compromising the

investigation.

Personally I believe that was a great move, to deliver a press conference as

quickly as they did, to respond to the medias inquiry. Three representatives

from three different agencies spoke about the event and attempted to answer

media questions by providing well thought answers. The responses provided

gave the impression that law enforcement was handling the incident effectively

and efficiently, even though in reality the events involved in the investigation

would take weeks or months to sort out.

This approach also gave the people confidence that law enforcement was in

control of the situation and it prevented people from panicking, which would

have caused chaos. That in itself was important because it restored faith in the

people that law enforcement was prepared to take on the challenge of this type

of incident and the positive characteristics that were captured during the ordeal

provided a positive image for law enforcement. One example of these positive

characteristics involved the first responders quick entry into the building that was

effected by the mass casualty shooting. Secondly an officer who was filmed

during the incident made a statement that was blasted throughout social media.

His comment was directed at a scared bystander during the evacuation process,

assuring her that the shooter had to get through him before he could get to

her. That statement was powerful and it generated a very positive image for law
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enforcement.

In conclusion critical incidents are complex and unique problems which require

a collaboration effort by all parties involved. It is important to resolve the issue

but to also take care of the needs of the people. This is something that is

generally over looked. It is important that once these types of incidents are

resolved, that law enforcement restores faith back in the community to reassure

them that their police department is there to help them and take care of their

needs.
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References

San Bernardino Shooting-NBC News(Dec 2015) San Bernardino Shooting-NBC News;

Retrieved from: http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/san-bernardino-shooting

San Bernardino Shooting; Doug Sanders(Dec 2015). San Bernardino Shooting-CBS

New. Retrieved from; http://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/san-bernardino-shooting/

LINK

Scene from inside building of San Bernardino Shooting KPPC Radio(Dec 2015).
Scene from inside building of San Bernardino Shooting. Retrieved from;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXVDqmCEdX0