What is the primary goal of law enforcement during an active shooter incident?

The primary goal of law enforcement during an active shooter incident is to stop the threat as quickly as possible. This focus is critical because during such high-stress and chaotic situations, the most effective way to save lives is to neutralize the shooter as rapidly as possible. The longer the threat remains active, the greater the risk to potential victims.

This immediate and decisive action helps to prevent further harm and allows for the timely engagement of medical personnel to assist those injured. While gathering evidence, negotiating with suspects, and evacuating bystanders are important aspects of law enforcement in general, these actions take a secondary role in the context of an active shooter scenario. The priority must remain on addressing the immediate threat to ensure the safety of the public and responding officers.