Our History with Active Assailant Research and Training

 

Threat Suppression focuses on the systematic study of active shooter and active assailant incident incidents, as well as the delivery of evidence-based, integrated response training. The company’s work centers on operational performance under high-risk conditions, with emphasis on coordination between law enforcement, fire, and EMS.

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Threat Suppression personnel have direct command and operational experience in several active assailant incidents. This operational background informs all research, training, and advisory services.

 

Since 2005, the company has accumulated more than 50,000 hours of structured research on active assailant offenders and events. Threat Suppression has designed and executed more than 125 large-scale, integrated exercises involving law enforcement, fire, and EMS agencies, including exercises conducted at major international transportation hubs. The company has also facilitated more than 150 tabletop exercises for public safety agencies, educational institutions, and private sector leadership.

 

In 2006, Threat Suppression personnel delivered one of the earliest formal lecture series on integrated public safety response to active shooter incidents using non-special operations personnel. Since that time, the company has trained more than 200,000 responders and military personnel across five continents, representing over 5,000 agencies. Threat Suppression has also provided direct consulting support to more than 500 agencies developing or refining integrated response protocols.

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In 2015, Threat Suppression personnel produced a doctoral dissertation examining integrated active shooter response, titled “Analysis of Records that Demonstrate an Active Shooter Response Plan Utilizing 32 Large-Scale Exercises” (Northcentral University). The research analyzed empirical data derived from full-scale exercises to evaluate response models and coordination outcomes. To download this dissertation, click here.

 

In 2025, Threat Suppression, in partnership with Guidepost Solutions, was selected by Oakland County, Michigan to support development of the after-action report for the 2021 Oxford High School shooting. The engagement involved nine months of structured analysis, document review, and subject matter expert input. This report is available here.

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Threat Suppression maintains a vendor-neutral position in all equipment and technology assessments. Personnel have evaluated a wide range of systems, including law enforcement equipment, emergency medical equipment, ballistic protection, breaching tools, weapons platforms, acoustic gunshot detection systems, lockdown systems, mass notification systems, and intelligence collection platforms. More than 100 companies have engaged Threat Suppression personnel for research and development input. The company does not endorse products or receive compensation tied to product sales.

 

Threat Suppression personnel have supported threat assessment and management efforts involving individuals of concern for law enforcement agencies and educational institutions. Based on formal documentation provided by partner law enforcement agencies, Threat Suppression training and consultation have been credited with contributing to the prevention of at least 10 planned acts of targeted violence, including school-based attacks.

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In addition, government agencies have formally documented that Threat Suppression training provided operational guidance during at least 15 active assailant incidents. These attributions are based on after-action reporting, agency correspondence, and direct feedback from operational personnel. Specific case details and agency identities are maintained by the respective organizations and are not publicly disclosed.