Untrained civilians were thrust into a chaotic simulated mass shooting scenario as part of a six-week civilian academy program hosted by the Highlands County Sheriff's Office. The program aims to provide residents with a behind-the-scenes understanding of law enforcement realities.
During the second week of the academy, participants were exposed to a simulated school shooting threat. An actual school resource officer played the role of the active shooter, while Explorer Cadets, youths interested in law enforcement careers, acted as distressed students. Civilian academy students were tasked with navigating the high-stress environment and neutralizing the simulated threat using training pistols that fired blanks. The scenario was amplified by "shot boxes" that emitted strobe lights and loud simulated gunfire.
Sheriff's office representatives noted that individuals lose approximately 30% of their fine motor control in high-stress situations. This was incorporated into the exercise, requiring participants to fumble with keys to unlock "classroom" doors under duress, mirroring the challenges faced by real deputies.
Video footage captured some participants exhibiting nervous laughter as their bodies entered fight-or-flight mode. Gloria Rabynski, 49, a member of the Highlands County Board of County Commissioners who joined the academy to gain insight into law enforcement's role, expressed her reaction.
"Obviously I knew that it was an exercise, but I was just thinking like, ‘wow, if this is me knowing that it’s an exercise, I cannot even begin to imagine what our deputies go through in a situation similar,'" Rabynski stated. She added that the decision-making process involved was "unbelievable."
The civilian academy's primary objective is not recruitment but to demonstrate the split-second, life-saving decisions required to protect a school. According to a sheriff's office spokesperson, deputies are trained to immediately engage threats, stating, "Our deputies are not trained to wait for backup. They go. When they hear gunfire, they go to the gunfire."
Sheriff's office spokespeople commented on the participants' reactions, explaining that the visible nervousness and laughter are common responses when individuals are under pressure and unsure of what to do, even when aware there is no real danger.