The National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO) and Safe and Sound Schools today published guidance for school resource officers (SROs) and school administrators regarding a recent surge in swatting calls targeting schools. “Swatting” refers to a hoax call placed to 911 that falsely reports an emergency such as an armed intruder, active shooting or other critical incident that necessitates a large and immediate response by law enforcement officers and other public safety workers, possibly including a special weapons and tactics (SWAT) team.
Since September 9, news coverage seen by NASRO indicates that multiple swatting incidents against schools have occurred across the nation, including Arkansas, California, Colorado, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Virginia and possibly other locations.
“These false alarms are far from harmless,” said NASRO executive director Mo Canady. “They require high-speed responses with emergency lights and sirens that increase risks for responders and the public. They also divert limited public safety resources from other community needs and increase anxiety among students and others. These are some of the reasons that NASRO and Safe and Sound Schools decided it was important to provide guidance to SROs and school administrators.”
The organizations’ guidance covers topics including development and advance discussion of response protocols with all stakeholders. It also suggests steps to take after a swatting incident ends. NASRO sent the document via email to all members and published it on its website.
About NASRO
NASRO is a nonprofit organization for school-based law enforcement officers, school administrators and school security/safety professionals working as partners to protect students, school faculty and staff, and the schools they attend. NASRO’s national offices are in Hoover, Alabama. The organization was established in 1991. For more information, visit www.nasro.org.
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