*In this photo:* DSU Police dispatchers Kimberley Wood and James Paige Jr. were among the dispatchers who were tested during the April 11 active shooter exercise on campus.

On Campus

Active shooter exercise

Wednesday, April 11, 2018

The Delaware State University Police Department and Dover Police Department jointly held an active shooter training exercise on the DSU campus during the early morning hours of Wednesday, April 11.

The exercise – initiated by the DSU Police Department – was a proactive drill to test the university and city police departments’ readiness to address such an incident within the DSU campus setting. It involved a scenario involving, three shooters, about 50 students, mock fatalities and injuries, as well as a hostage situation all taking place in the Claibourne Smith Administration Building on campus.

The DSU Police quickly responded first to the active shooting report and soon thereafter received assistance from the Dover Police as well as the Delaware State Police.

DSU Police Chief Harry Downes Jr. said he was pleased with the performances of the law enforcement agencies in the important exercise.

“These (active shooter) situations have become all too common at schools and universities across the country,” Chief Downes said. “It is our duty to consistently train in an effort to save lives and protect our jurisdictions.”

Chief Downes said that the University is especially appreciative of the Dover Police Department and the Delaware State Police for participating in the exercise.