Police in Burlington, Vermont, apologize to high school students after startling mock shooting demonstration

Police in Burlington, Vermont, have apologized to high school students who were rattled by a role-play robbery demonstration that included a mock shooting and has drawn criticism from parents and local officials.

Police in Burlington, Vermont, have apologized to high school students who were rattled by a role-play robbery demonstration that included a mock shooting and has drawn criticism from parents and local officials. About 20 students from a Burlington High School Year End Studies (YES) forensics class went to the police station for a field trip Wednesday where school officials were aware a crime reenactment would occur, school district spokesperson Russ Elek said in a statement to the VTDigger. However, school officials “didn’t realize the presentation would happen without warning,” Elek said. During the visit, three Burlington Police Department personnel simulated a robbery scenario that was not directed at students or faculty, the department said in a release. Police said they had communicated with school staff last month about the details of the demonstration, “including saying that the training incident would involve ‘using fake firearms in a mock shooting.’” Police said they asked school staff whether the demonstration would be suitable for the student group, saying “It is about as real life as you can get, and is certainly exactly the sort of thing we deal with most frequently.” “YES Program staff responded, ‘I think these students will be fine with this simulation. We will give a heads up to parents and students,’” according to the police release.