Union County Deputies Train with School Police on Active Threat Response

BLAIRSVILLE, Ga. — Union County Sheriff’s Office deputies joined Union County Schools Police Department officers Wednesday for joint training focused on responding to active threats at local schools.

The session brought together newer deputies, experienced school resource officers and other staff to practice coordinated responses. Officials said the training is part of ongoing efforts to ensure law enforcement agencies can act quickly if a threat emerges against students or staff.

“We hope we never have to use this training, but we want the public to know that we will not stand idly by if there is a threat on our schools,” the Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. Deputies would work alongside the Schools Police Department and Blairsville Police Department to end any such threat “quickly and decisively,” the agency said.

Beyond the joint exercise, most Union County deputies have completed formal active shooter training. Many attended the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center course, while others completed ALERTT training through the Georgia Public Safety Training Center.

The Sheriff’s Office thanked the deputies and officers who participated, along with the Union County School System and its police department, for their commitment to improving school safety through continued collaboration.