The recent mass shootings at elementary schools, grocery stores, and other public places have many parents, business owners, and individuals concerned about how local law enforcement will handle such events.

The Columbia Police Department has partnered with Columbia Public Schools, MU Ambulance Service, the Columbia Fire Department, and other agencies for a 3-day training program at schools across the district.

The training focused on the first 5 to 10 minutes of an active shooter event and how all agencies can work with one another to protect lives.

Lieutenant Clint Sinclair with the Columbia Police Department compared the training to the first day of practice for a sports team, so there were obstacles all the agencies needed to work through together before allowing the public to attend.

But overall, Sinclair said the training was extremely beneficial for all agencies involved.

"A lot of the pros we experienced out of this was learning how the fire department operates in these situations, how the ambulance services, how the schools and everything will act out when an event arises. That was a huge benefit to everybody that was involved. Really just kind of getting on the same age since we are going to be there was one of the biggest things we got out of this training.”

According to Sinclair, the next phase of active shooter training will be on a larger scale with scenarios, and the public will be allowed to participate.

Sinclair encourages the public to report suspicious behavior or threats.