ALERRT Center awarded $5.4 million Department of Justice grant

Posted by Jayme Blaschke
Office of Media Relations
October 24, 2017

The Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT) Center at Texas State University has received a $5.4 million Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grant from the United States Department of Justice.

The grant will support ALERRT's Integrated Response Training Program, which provides training across the country to improve rapid response to active shooter events.

“This outstanding award from the Department of Justice not only shows how important this level of training is for law enforcement, it also illustrates the high degree of confidence this federal agency has for the ALERRT Center and its ability to train emergency personnel across the country,” said Texas State President Denise M. Trauth. “Texas State is grateful for the steadfast support of U.S. Representative John Carter and U.S. Senator John Cornyn in helping the university secure this award.”

This federal grant stems from the Protecting Our Lives through Initiating COPS Expansion (POLICE) Act, sponsored by U.S. Senator John Cornyn and U.S. Representative John Carter. Signed into law on July 22, 2016, the POLICE Act allows local law enforcement and other first responders to use COPS grants to train and better prepare for active shooter situations. The law encourages departments to use programs such as Integrated Response Training at ALERRT, which trains local law enforcement, fire and EMS officials to work together in response to an active shooter situation.

“In the face of tragedy and chaos, time and time again we’ve seen first responders act quickly and decisively to restore order and safety,” said Sen. Cornyn. “It is critical that we continue to give law enforcement, fire, and EMS officials every available resource to keep our communities safe, and this will go a long way in training first responders across the nation to respond to active shooter situations.”

"This is big news for the ALERRT Program at Texas State. I have worked hand in hand with the ALERRT program for over a decade," said Rep. Carter. "ALERRT is an elite program that gives our police, fire and EMS the tools needed to effectively respond to an active shooter situation. This $5.4 million grant ensures that our first responders continue to get top-notch training so they can save lives and stay safe in the midst of these tragedies."

The grant was announced by U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions October 23 during remarks at the International Association of Chiefs of Police Conference General Assembly.

"The timing of this award is significant for the ALERRT Center. Active shooter events, such as the recent one in Las Vegas, demonstrate the need for integrated training," said Pete Blair, executive director of the ALERRT Center. "This grant will allow us to prepare law enforcement, fire and EMS personnel across the country to respond to these events."

About Texas State University

Founded in 1899, Texas State University is among the largest universities in Texas with an enrollment of 38,694 students on campuses in San Marcos and Round Rock. Texas State’s 181,000-plus alumni are a powerful force in serving the economic workforce needs of Texas and throughout the world. Designated an Emerging Research University by the State of Texas, Texas State is classified under “Doctoral Universities: Higher Research Activity,” the second-highest designation for research institutions under the Carnegie classification system.