Executive Summary
- Kansas State and Washburn University police reassured the public of campus safety following national concerns.
- K-State conducts annual active shooter training involving local fire, EMS, and police agencies.
- Washburn University focuses on risk mitigation through security cameras, alarms, and trained staff.
- Officials urge students and staff to report suspicious activity and maintain situational awareness.
Following a recent shooting incident at Brown University, law enforcement officials at Kansas State University and Washburn University have issued statements reassuring the public regarding safety measures and emergency protocols in place on their respective campuses. Police leadership at both institutions emphasized that students, faculty, and staff should feel secure, citing rigorous training schedules and established resource networks.
K-State Police Captain Andrew Moeller stated that the university conducts active shooter and active violence response training annually. These exercises often involve interagency cooperation with the Riley County Police Department, the Manhattan Fire Department, and Riley County EMS to ensure a coordinated response to potential threats. Additionally, the university offers ALiCE classes—standing for Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate—to prepare the campus community for "run, hide, fight" scenarios.
According to Captain Moeller, dispatchers are specifically trained to assess threats, including those that may be false alarms, though all reports are treated with urgency. He noted that university police are stationed throughout the campus daily to decrease response times. "We’ve got lots of resources on campus here, many of which are through the police department," Moeller said.
Washburn University Chief of Police Chris Enos emphasized that mitigation is the primary step in their security strategy. Enos noted that the university relies on robust security infrastructure, including surveillance cameras, alarm systems, and a trained police staff, to minimize risks. "First step is mitigation and we really try and mitigate that risk as best we can," Enos stated.
Both departments stressed the importance of situational awareness, urging the campus community to report concerning behavior immediately. Chief Enos compared the "run, hide, fight" protocol to the "stop, drop, and roll" fire safety technique, advocating for preparedness without hyper-fixation.
Campus Safety Strategy
The reaffirmation of safety protocols by Kansas university police highlights a broader trend in higher education security, focusing on proactive mitigation rather than solely reactive measures. By integrating annual interagency training with infrastructure investments like surveillance and alarms, institutions aim to reduce response times and enhance coordination during critical incidents. While specific threats are investigated as they arise, the emphasis remains on community involvement and preparedness to maintain secure learning environments.
