Minn. law enforcement train for responding to mass shooting

Minnesota law enforcement officials are closely following mass shootings in places like San Bernardino and Paris to learn how to better prepare the state for similar incidents.

Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek said law enforcement officers across the state are trained to the same high tactical standards.

"After every incident that happens, whether locally, nationally or internationally, law enforcement works with our federal partners and we dissect what happens," Stanek said. "We understand what the motivations were, what the tactics and training were for people who want to do us harm, and we alter ours, to match theirs, one above."

Agencies in the region have access to expensive gear like armored vehicles. The "Bear" — or Ballistic Engineered Armored Response — includes puncture-resistant tires, armor and the ability to carry a large amount of people. It cost about $400,000, which was paid for by a federal grant. Hennepin County's 37 law enforcement agencies regularly practice responding to events and share special equipment.

"You see it time and time again, you'll see officers in tactical gear, you'll see officers in their uniforms, you'll see different color uniforms," Stanek said. "The public should know though, they're all trained to a similar standard, and they're trained to respond and neutralize the threat as soon as they can."

Hennepin County Sheriff's Office Capt. Hans Vitek said law enforcement agencies train together on a monthly basis in the state.

"We build those relationships ahead of time in a controlled environment," Vitek said. "Then when things do happen, we know each other, we know the equipment each other has, we have expectations of each other, and it makes for a more seamless response."

Stanek said the "active shooter trainings" can also be applied to disasters like fires or bridge collapses, where law enforcement agencies also need to provide a unified response.