VCU news

By Jake Burns
VCU Police

SWAT team personnel filled West Franklin Street as law enforcement drones whizzed above. VCU Police officers rushed into an administrative building with shields, shepherding “the injured” – actors in makeup – to safety.

It might have been an intense sight for runners, pedestrians and workers passing by on a warm March afternoon. But the dramatic staging was purposeful, with an eye toward keeping the Virginia Commonwealth University community safe.

VCU Police and the Richmond Police Department held an active shooter and hostage negotiation training exercise Wednesday on VCU’s Monroe Park campus. The goal was to stress-test how the departments coordinate resources to neutralize an active threat and save lives.

The scenario was developed by VCU Emergency Management based on historical and current events at colleges and university campuses around the world.

“Training like this is designed to push our officers and test their response ahead of a real emergency situation,” said Clarence Hunter, chief of VCU Police. “This exercise is invaluable for our personnel to understand and execute our policies and procedures, while also working alongside our partners at RPD.”

VCU and Richmond police have concurrent jurisdiction – meaning officers from both departments share authority and policing responsibility within the city of Richmond near VCU’s footprint, from the Monroe Park to MCV campuses and in certain neighborhoods where VCU students often reside.

Richmond Police Deputy Chief Sydney Collier said city officers’ approach to neutralizing active threats is based on the environment, so communicating effectively with VCU Police is critical should a real world need arise.

Between the Monroe Park and MCV campuses, VCU and VCU Health own or utilize more than 200 buildings within the concurrent police jurisdiction.

“The more we practice, the better we get at it,” said Collier, noting that VCU Police are naturally more familiar with the campus and medical center environments. “It is important to change the scenario each time we do an exercise to make sure our personnel are deeply analyzing each situation.”

Participants in this week’s exercise included VCU Police, the VCU Emergency Communications Center, the Richmond police SWAT and crisis negotiation teams, the Richmond Department of Emergency Communications and public affairs personnel from both VCU and Richmond. Volunteers from VCU Police and the university community served as actors for the drill.

John Venuti, associate vice president for emergency services and public safety for VCU and VCU Health, said VCU takes an all-hazards approach to preparation. Last year, VCU Emergency Management simulated a hazardous material spill outside the University Student Commons. In 2023, VCU Police held a full-scale active shooter exercise inside the Commons.

Annual, unique training that simulates real-world incidents, Venuti said, displays the commitment by public safety officials at VCU and Richmond to staying ahead of potential threats.

“Our goal, each and every day when the sun comes up, is to make VCU a safe place,” Venuti said.  “In any situation, it’s not one agency that’s responding – it’s many agencies coordinating and working together.”

Approximately 75 officers and personnel from VCU Police, Richmond police, VCU Emergency Management and Richmond Office of Emergency Management helped organize and stage the drill.

During a real emergency, the VCU Alert system will keep community members informed about the latest developments, including safety measures for community members to follow. VCU and VCU Health students, faculty and staff are automatically enrolled in VCU Alert text messages and emails through information on file with eServices. Community members and parents are encouraged to sign up here.

Regardless of any affiliation with VCU, Venuti said community members should familiarize themselves with the “Run/Avoid, Hide/Barricade, Fight” protocols for responding to an active shooter threat in real-time.

• Run/Avoid: If you can safely escape the threat without putting yourself or others at risk, do so immediately. At VCU Health facilities, pause all non-lifesaving medical care and move patients out of sight, if safe to do so.
• Hide/Barricade: Lock and/or barricade doors by any means possible (including Anchorman devices at VCU Health facilities). If you are in a room that cannot be secured or feels unsafe, consider seeking refuge somewhere else that is more secure.
• Fight: As a last resort, act with aggression and speed, attacking the shooter at close range until the threat is stopped. If possible, consider attacking the shooter as a team.

Always closely follow instructions given by first responders. VCU Alert will notify community members when a threat is neutralized.

For more detailed instructions, watch this video produced by the VCU and VCU Health Emergency Management teams.