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Shooting Incident or Other Violence

The potential for a shooting incident or other violence exists on every university campus. Although the possession of firearms, explosives and other weapons on our campus is unlawful, their availability and past national and international incidents dictate the need for a response plan, in case a shooting or other violent attack occurs. This type of incident is unpredictable and your immediate response depends on the situation at hand. The following guidelines are developed based on best practices.

How to Prepare for and Respond to a Shooting Incident or Other Violence

Before an incident

  • Program your cell phone to speed dial 209-228-2677 (CAT-COPS).
  • Attend a UCMPD VIRT Violent Intruder response training
  • Have UCMPD conduct a safety assessment of your workspace.
  • Become familiar with all of the exits of the rooms you enter.
  • If you are concerned about someone’s behavior, tell UCMPD immediately.

IF A SHOOTING or VIOLENT INCIDENT OCCURS IN A BUILDING, DO NOT PULL THE FIRE ALARM

If it is safe, exit the building immediately to flee the area. We recommend the following:
  • Move away from the immediate path of danger quickly.  Do not worry about your items left behind.  
  • If you are unable to flee due to the suspect(s) being immediately near, lock the door of the nearest room you can enter.
  • Barricade the door if possible with large items. Place a door stopper under the door. 
  • Turn off the lights and remain quiet. Silence your cell phone. 
  • Grab items you can use to confront the suspect (chair, desk, scissors, books, anything to harm/distract if they enter the room you are hiding in. 
  • CALL 9-9-1-1 from a campus telephone, or 209-228-2677 (CAT-COPS) from a cell phone
  • Give the dispatcher the following information:
    • Exact location of the incident
    • Number of shooters or other violent people (if known)
    • Identification or description of the shooter/s, or violent person/s
    • Number of persons who may be involved
    • Injuries (if known)
Do not peek out a window or raise your head to see what may be happening.
 
Police dispatchers are trained to obtain the necessary and required information for a proper emergency response.
 
STAY ON THE LINE UNTIL THE DISPATCHER TELLS YOU TO HANG UP. Wait and listen for directions from the police.
 
Stay where you are until contacted by police. FOLLOW POLICE DIRECTIONS.

Phone calls, other than for emergency purposes, should be made only after the police have authorized the calls. (A phone call to friends or family will bring onlookers and concerned loved ones to the campus, perhaps unnecessarily placing more people in danger.)