The University of Illinois Police Department offers Active Threat Workshops designed to help campus and community members prepare for the unlikely event of an active threat. These interactive workshops provide participants with practical skills, hands-on demonstrations, and opportunities to practice response strategies in a supportive, team-focused environment.

Each workshop is tailored to the requesting department or organization. Before the training, a UIPD officer will conduct a site assessment to identify building-specific considerations, operational needs, and other factors that can be incorporated into the workshop for a more personalized experience.

The Level I workshop introduces participants to the principles of surviving an active threat incident through hands-on learning and group activities. Rather than focusing on stress or high-pressure scenarios, the course emphasizes teamwork, communication, and practical decision making.

Participants will learn about:

• Active threat mindset and situational awareness
• Run, Hide, Fight response strategies
• Individual and group movement techniques
• Ballistic considerations
• Identifying effective hiding locations
• Barricading techniques
• Stop the Bleed demonstrations
• Basic self-defense techniques for responding to an armed assailant

A three-hour session is recommended, though a two-hour option may be available for scheduling needs. Workshops can accommodate approximately 10 to 100 participants. Larger groups may require multiple training sessions.

The Level II workshop builds on the skills introduced in Level I by giving participants the opportunity to apply what they have learned through realistic, scenario-based exercises. Completion of the Level I workshop is strongly recommended before attending Level II.

Participants will practice:

• Interior and exterior movement drills
• Ballistic awareness during movement
• Barricading exercises with varying light and noise conditions
• Medical response scenarios, including tourniquet application
• Countering an armed assailant using improvised weapons and coordinated group response strategies
• Personalized topic review and an open question-and-answer session

Level II is designed for groups that want to move beyond classroom instruction and strengthen their confidence through guided, hands-on practice.