In active shooter situations, what should the officer's first priority be?

In active shooter situations, the officer's first priority is to ensure their own safety. This is crucial because if the officer becomes incapacitated, they will not be able to effectively respond to the situation or protect others. Additionally, ensuring officer safety allows them to assess the situation better without becoming a victim themselves.

While elements such as identifying all parties involved and evacuating the area are important aspects of managing an active shooter scenario, they are contingent upon the officer's ability to operate effectively. An officer who is not secure in their own safety cannot carry out these other critical actions efficiently. Thus, the comprehensive nature of the priorities when dealing with an active shooter emphasizes that ensuring officer safety is a prerequisite for successfully responding to and managing the incident.