Active Threat/Shooter UNH Campus Community FAQ
- What is the active shooter protocol at UNH?
Answer: We teach “run, hide, fight” so the campus community can have a simple is to remember response.
- Have there been any active shooter situations at UNH in its' history?
Answer: No
- What is the first thing the department would do in an active shooter situation?
Answer: Respond to the location, ether the building and go to the sound of gunfire while the UNH emergency dispatch center alerts campus though all our alert systems.
- How do the Durham Police, Strafford County Sheriff, and State Police assist UNH Police if a situation arose?
Answer: They respond to campus and provide support.
- What would be the biggest challenge for your officers during a situation?
Answer: It would be situation dependent. However, finding the shooter is a top priority.
- At the concert in Las Vegas there were 22,000 people in the crowd. There were about the same number of people at the Homecoming celebrations last year and this year so how would the department handle a situation during an event like Homecoming?
Answer: we have operational plans to address event security.
- What is the department actively doing to update the protocol as the instances of active shooters continue to become more prevalent in America?
Answer: We review our procedures yearly and make changes if new best practices are developed.
- Do you think most students are aware of the protocol and what do you think all students should know?
Answer: We do our best to put on classes throughout the year on all three campuses and we provide information on our website. https://www.unh.edu/upd/active-shooter
- Who does the police department work with in developing new safety practices/policies? UNH President, other police departments, state government, other independent organizations?
Answer: UPD is a nationally, dual accredited, law enforcement agency and meets the highest standards and best practices around active shooter situations
- Does the UNH PD currently do any active shooter training exercises? If so, will they do more of those now?
Answer: Yes, we do training and tabletop exercises with DPD, DFD, and other public safety partners.
- Is there reason for students to feel unsafe on campus in the wake of these shootings?
Answer: UNH is ranked one of the safest campuses in the US. However, it is difficult, in the wake of shooting events to alleviate everyone’s anxiety.
- Has there been any threats (credible or non-credible)?
Answer: Yes, one in 2008 at UNH-Durham and one at UNHM in 2022. Both threats were stopped before they happened and no one was physically injured.
- Does UNH keep a profile/list of people that could be considered "dangerous"?
Answer: No.
- Do you have any advice for students and faculty on campus who might be feeling nervous after the recent active threat/shooter events?
Answer: knowledge is power; learn what to do if the unthinkable happens. UPD has a resource page on our website https://www.unh.edu/upd/active-shooter
- What is the active shooter protocol at UNH?
Answer: We teach “run, hide, fight” so the campus community can have a simple to remember response.
- Have there been any active shooter situations at UNH in its' history?
Answer: No
- What is the first thing the department would do in an active shooter situation?
Answer: Respond to the location, enter the building and go to the sound of gunfire while the UNH emergency dispatch center alerts campus though all our alert systems.
- How do the Durham Police, Strafford County Sheriff, and State Police assist UNH Police if a situation arose?
Answer: They will respond to campus and provide support.
- What would be the biggest challenge for your officers during a situation?
Answer: It would be situation dependent. However, finding the shooter is a top priority.
- At the concert in Las Vegas there were 22,000 people in the crowd. There were about the same number of people at the Homecoming celebrations last year and this year so how would the department handle a situation during an event like Homecoming?
Answer: We have operational plans to address event security.
- What is the department actively doing to update the protocol as the instances of active shooters continue to become more prevalent in America?
Answer: We review our procedures yearly and make changes if new best practices are developed.
- Do you think most students are aware of the protocol and what do you think all students should know?
Answer: We do our best to put on classes throughout the year on all three campuses and we provide information on our website. https://www.unh.edu/upd/active-shooter
- Who does the police department work with in developing new safety practices/policies? UNH President, other police departments, state government, other independent organizations?
Answer: UPD is a nationally, dual accredited, law enforcement agency and meets the highest standards and best practices around active shooter situations
- Does the UNH PD currently do any active shooter training exercises? If so, will they do more of those now?
Answer: Yes, we do training and tabletop exercises with Durham Police, Durham Fire Department, and other public safety partners.
- Is there reason for students to feel unsafe on campus in the wake of these shootings?
Answer: UNH is ranked one of the safest campuses in the US. However, it is difficult, in the wake of shooting events to alleviate everyone’s anxiety.
- Has there been any threats (credible or non-credible)?
Answer: Yes, one in 2008 at UNH-Durham and one at UNHM in 2022. Both threats were stopped before they happened and no one was physically injured.
- Does UNH keep a profile/list of people that could be considered "dangerous"?
Answer: No.
- Do you have any advice for students and faculty on campus who might be feeling nervous after the recent active threat/shooter events?
Answer: Knowledge is power; learn what to do if the unthinkable happens. UPD has a resource page on our website https://www.unh.edu/upd/active-shooter
