The LSU Police Department participated in a classroom and live-action training session hosted by the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office on Thursday and Friday at Baton Rouge Community College.

LSUPD spokesman Capt. Cory Lalonde said there are millions of “what-if” scenarios to prepare for, and this training equips the officers with concepts and skills they can apply to real-life situations.

“The more tools in the toolbox, the better,” Lalonde said.

The sheriff’s office taught the participating agencies about the law enforcement response to an active shooter, EBRSO Public Information Director Casey Rayborn Hicks said in an email.

“We were not telling the campus law enforcement agencies how to specifically handle a threat on their campus,” Hicks said, “but [we are] trying to provide guidance and assistance to them in helping them form their own plans.”

Friday morning, the officers broke into teams of four and practiced clearing a building with armed suspects and hostages.

Hicks said she could not comment on the specifics of the training, but said it involved identifying a threat and making sure buildings are clear, the scene is safe and all involved are protected.

Police departments from BRCC, Southern University, Louisiana Technical College and South Louisiana Community College also participated in the training.

Lalonde said LSUPD trains its officers spontaneously throughout the year with drills, but it attempts to have at least one organized training session per year.

LSUPD’s website has videos for students to watch for information on what to do during a campus emergency and what to expect from the police department, Lalonde said.