Weapons Justification

SUBJECT: Request and Justification for Weapons Purchase of M4 Patrol Rifles and Shotguns

1. The primary mission of the Madigan Healthcare System Provost Marshal Office and Active Shooter Response Team is to preserve life, protect property and perform security and law enforcement duties during routine and critical incidents within and in the immediate vicinity of Madigan and its activities. The security officers and ASR team provide incident response to active shooter threats, searches for suspect(s) and or patient(s), containment of barricaded subjects, counterterrorism and assistance in hostage situations within MHCS. The MHCS PMO and ASR Team maintains an in depth knowledge of the hospital area and setting which reduces the response time to incidents. Security and the ASR Team can provide threat neutralization, quick containment and the prevention of the further spread of violence ensuring life and property safety. For this reason, JBLM DES and MHCS PMO have a working agreement which names MHCS security officers as the primary first response element for all incidents occurring within MHCS. MHCS PMO also supports the installation by running access control points within the hospital area when FP Conditions are increased.

2. Hospital violence is rising rapidly with an increasing number of patients having acute behavioral and mental health issues, substance abuse problems and high levels of stress. The 2011 International Association for Healthcare Security and Safety crime and safety survey of 212 hospitals found that there were 660 aggravated assaults, homicides and rapes and 2,720 simple assaults in 2010. Security officers can reduce their risk of being assaulted or killed and also minimize the likelihood of injuries or death to the Madigan community though a strategy that combines training, modern equipment and response protocols. Use-of-force tools, including patrol rifles and shotguns, have become vital components of this multi-pronged strategy. MHCS PMO...