Deputies would have to confront shooters

Broward Sheriff’s Office policy change comes after outrage sparked by Parkland shooting

Broward Sheriff ’s deputies will have to try to confront active shooters in the future, a change to the department’s written policy that was lambasted after the Feb. 14 massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.

The proposed policy change, due to take effect on Jan. 4, came as part of an internal memo obtained Sunday night by the South Florida Sun Sentinel. Specifically, it states deputies “shall” immediately intervene instead of “may” in the case of an active shooter scenario.

The policy also notes there are “very limited extenuating circumstances” when a solo deputy can delay their response.

Responding officers also would have defined priorities, in order: Stop the shooter.

Rescue the victims and provide medical assistance.

Arrest suspects and preserve the crime scene.

The Sheriff’s Office did not respond to requests for comment on Sunday.

Broward Sheriff Scott Israel has repeatedly defended his office’s response and said he personally crafted the “may” provision, saying he wanted to give deputies discretion and avoid a “suicide response.”

Earlier this month, members of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission criticized the “may” policy, saying it is “inconsistent” with

standard law enforcement procedures.

Sheriff’s deputies, including school resource officer Scot Peterson, chose not to go into the 1200 building as the gunman shot 34 people, killing 17 students and staff.

Deputies also told responding officers from other agencies, including Coral Springs Police, not to go in to the building, according to statements recently released by the Broward State Attorney’s Office.

Ryan Petty, whose 14-year-old daughter Alaina was slain in the shooting, said the policy change addresses one of the major failures that took place that day.

“This should have been in place long before Feb. 14,” Petty, who is also a member of the state commission, said Sunday. “This policy is a step in the right direction, but it’s got to be followed up — training has to be developed.”

Despite an extraordinary series of blunders leading to the bloodshed at the Parkland school, it has taken nine months to bring repercussions over errors that may have cost lives. So far, it’s been only a few, and mostly low-level, employees who have taken the hit.

The commission’s preliminary reports have also chastised deputies who were tasked with taking command of the response, including Parkland District Captain Jan Jordan who resigned last month.

Sheriff ’s Sgt. Brian Miller was placed on restrictive duty pending an internal review of his failures during the shooting response. Miller was the highestranking officer initially at Stoneman Douglas. He was accused of hearing gunshots and not moving. “He was an absolute, total failure,” said Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, a commission member.

Deputy Edward Eason was also placed on administrative leave as the department investigates allegations he ran the other way as gunfire blasted, then wasted precious time fiddling with his bulletproof vest and body camera.

Peterson was allowed to retire.

The commission’s final report will be presented to the governor and state Legislature by Jan. 1. The commission consists of law enforcement officers, public officials and parents of the murdered students.