Preparing for a Mass Violence Incident in Your Community: Lessons Learned and Strategies to Improve Preparedness Plans to Address Victim Needs

In working with communities and agencies that have experienced the devasting impact of a mass violence incident in their community, the most common “lesson learned” from law enforcement is that the more prepared a community is for mass violence, the more resilient the individuals and community members are able to be. This session will review a case study of the mass violence tragedy at Mother Emmanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina, from a law enforcement perspective, including activities that were (or were not) in place prior to the incident, lessons learned in response, and suggestions for other communities. The presenters will also describe the many resources available to help law enforcement, survivors, professionals, and communities from the National Mass Violence Center.