School Safety Resources

Michigan State Police School Safety Toolkits

Together, these resources provide guidance on well-rounded strategies to help your school meet today’s safety challenges.

• Check out the School Safety Toolkits

School Resource Officer (SRO) Resources

• Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) - Supporting Safe Schools
• SRO Guiding Principles (PDF)
• The Averted School Violence Near Miss Reporting System is a voluntary, non-punitive and anonymous means to share your stories and lessons learned to help prevent future tragedies from occurring.

Bomb Threats & Swatting

• Bomb Threat Guidance – Two-page guidance to help decision makers react to a bomb threat.
• Bomb Threat Guide – Guidelines to help decision makers react to a bomb threat.
• Bomb Threat Stand-Off Card – Provide guidance on preferred evacuation distances.
• Bomb Threat Checklist - Quick reference checklist designed to help schools respond to a bomb threat.
• Increase in Bomb Threats and Suspicious Packages – Guidance in Identifying Suspicious Mail and Packages.
• Bombs Threats in Schools (COPS) -Guide begins by describing the problem and reviewing factors that increase the risk of bomb threats in schools
• Anonymized Threat Response Guidance: A Reference Guide for K-12 Schools – Tool to help create tailored approaches to addressing anonymous threats from assessment to response.

Training Videos - short instructional videos that communicate the threat posed by improvised explosive devices

• What to Do; Bomb Threat
• What to Do: Suspicious or Unattended Item
• What to Do: Bomb Searches Video
• What to Do: Surviving a Bombing Attack
• Identifying Suspicious Activity

Swatting

• Swatting Calls and Hoax Threats
• Surge in School ‘Swatting’ Calls Considerations for School Resource Officers
• 'Swatting' Hoaxes Disrupt Schools Across the Country. What Educators Need to Know
• The Crime of 'Swatting': Fake 9-1-1 Calls Have Real Consequences — FBI
• School Swatting: Why It’s So Dangerous and How to Combat It - Campus Safety

Cybersecurity

• Cybersecurity Best Practices
• K-12 School Security Guide  | VIDEO: How to use the CISA K-12 School Security Assessment Tool
  The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) leads the national effort to understand, manage, and reduce risk to our cyber and physical infrastructure. We connect our stakeholders in industry and government to each other and to resources, analyses, and tools to help them build their own cyber, communications, and physical security and resilience, in turn helping to ensure a secure and resilient infrastructure for the American people.
• Online Safety Resources and Tips for Families and School Communities Infographic

Emergency Operations Plan (EOP)

Firearm Safety

• Be Smart for Kids (Safe Gun Storage) | Aaron Donald's YouTube video on secure gun storage.
• Gun Safe Storage Pledge

Mental/Behavioral Health

• NASP Prepare Crisis Support Guidance Brief
• NASP Prepare Crisis Support Guidance Extended
• 31n School-Based Mental Health Services - 2021 Legislative Report

Physical Security

• Security of Soft Targets and Crowded Places - Resource Guide (U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security)
• School Minimum Exterior Security Requirements Final Recommendations of the School Safety Task Force (2018)
• School Minimum Security Requirements for Interior Rooms Final Recommendations of the School Safety Task Force (2018)
• Selecting Physical Safety Measures

State Statutes - Requirements & Guidance

• School Drill Documentation Form
• School Drill Observation Tool
• Best Practice Considerations for Armed Assailant Drills in Schools

Threat Assessment

• Bullying Prevention Strategies and Resources for K-12 Schools 
• Enhancing School Safety Using A Threat Assessment Model - An Operational Guide for Preventing Targeted School Violence. (source: U.S. Secret Service - National Threat Assessment Center)
• National Association of School Psychologists - Brief Facts and Tips
• National Threat Assessment Center: Averting Targeted School Violence (Video)

Vulnerability Assessments and Planning – Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency

• K-12 School Security Guide (3rd ed., 2022)  |  VIDEO: How to use the CISA K-12 School Security Assessment Tool
  The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) leads the national effort to understand, manage, and reduce risk to our cyber and physical infrastructure. We connect our stakeholders in industry and government to each other and to resources, analyses, and tools to help them build their own cyber, communications, and physical security and resilience, in turn helping to ensure a secure and resilient infrastructure for the American people.
• K-12 School Security Guide (2nd ed., 2018)
• K-12 School Security Survey (2nd ed., 2018)

Miscellaneous

Safe Schools Week provides an opportunity for students, school staff, and community members to participate in activities, events, and conversations regarding issues affecting school safety. The Michigan State Police, Office of School Safety (MSP/OSS) has compiled a list of ideas to spark engagement during Safe Schools Week and enhance the safety and well-being of students and staff throughout the year.

PDF Downloads | List of Ideas to Spark Engagements | Elementary School Safety Pledge | Middle and High School Safety Pledge