Based on the program created by Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas, the Alabama ALERRT Program is a dynamic course of instruction designed to prepare the first responder to isolate, distract, and neutralize an active shooter. The course covers shooting and moving, threshold evaluation, concepts, and principles of team movement (including solo officer strategies), setting up for room entry and room entry techniques, approaching and breaching the crisis site, follow-on responder tactics, improvised explosive devices, and post-engagement priorities of work. The course culminates with dynamic “force-on-force” scenarios. Since its insertion in 2008, the Alabama ALERRT Program has worked towards training each and every APOSTC certified law enforcement officer in the State of Alabama in the ALERRT tactics in order to properly and successfully prevent, mitigate and/ or handle active shooter incidents.
Equipment Needed
Student Packing List:
- Duty belt
- Soft Body Armor (if available)
- Flashlight
- Long-sleeved shirt
- Groin protection
- Writing Instrument
- Drinking water
- Bring snacks or lunches. Most breaks and lunches will be short.
- NOTE: The following equipment is prohibited and should NOT be transported to the training site:
- Weapons of any kind
- Defense aerosols
- Ammunition/magazines
- Batons
- Diversionary devices (flashbangs, etc.)
Benefits of ALERRT
Funded by Federal law enforcement assistance grants, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and the Homeland Security Office of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, the ALERRT program is offered free of cost to all law enforcement agencies across the State of Alabama. Since its adoption in 2009, over 195 officers across the state have been certified as instructors and have taken the program to their jurisdictions. The training has provided for the uniform response to an active shooter event regardless of the agency, number of officers or responding jurisdictions, and location. Training officers on standardized tactics regardless of the agency they work for, ensures uniformity, trust, interagency collaboration, and successful resolutions. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (Homeland Security) oversees ALERRT and makes sure all standards regarding the program are strictly followed in order to assure compliance and standardization.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and the Alabama Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission
Currently, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency is working with the Alabama Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission in making ALERRT mandatory for all APOST certified officers in the State. In March 2013, Governor Bentley ordered all State of Alabama employed law enforcement officers to undergo the ALERRT training after making ALERRT the State of Alabama official active shooter prevention and mitigation program for law enforcement. Nevertheless, as of January 1, 2014, the APOST Commission made ALERRT part of the basic police academy minimum standards and a part of the training curriculum. ALEA continues to work on achieving a goal of 100% ALERRT certification of officers across the State of Alabama.
Signing up for an ALERRT Class
To sign up for any of the upcoming classes, go to your AlaCOP account and locate the Information Center Tab and to find the AlaCOP Training Center link; or visit the AlaCOP Training and Education Portal.
There must be a minimum of at least 20 students for the class to take place. The class has a maximum attendance of 30 students.
Additional Information
For more information or if you have any questions you can call the Alabama ALERRT Program Coordinator: Special Agent Senior Steve Johnson at 334-546-1054.
