After several mass shootings in the state in the past few years, Florida’s governor Ron DeSantis announced Wednesday the implementation of a training program to spot potential mass shooters.
The training of local law enforcement includes the development of a central data repository and data analytics resources for school threat assessment teams. According to a press conference, the program will start in July with the introduction of a curriculum for recruits at police academies around the state. Training will then be offered to patrol officers and deputies, investigators and law enforcement executives.
The curriculum will specifically focus on identifying online threats. Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Richard Swearingen said potential mass shooting perpetrators often forecast their intentions via their social media behavior, including suddenly uploading videos and photos of themselves in police or military garb with weapons.
“It is of paramount importance that we identify threats before they occur, and do everything within our power to prevent individuals from carrying out acts of targeted violence. We have the opportunity to modernize our threat assessment and response efforts with the information that is available to use today,” said DeSantis.
Once the program is implemented this summer, Florida will be the first state in the nation to have a proactive statewide prevention plan.
Photo: The Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. The school was the site of a school shooting in 2018.