The Greenville Police Department partnered with the Butler County Sheriff’s department to conduct a detailed active shooter drill at McKenzie School on Thursday.

School administrators locked down the school, a process on the surface not dissimilar to a storm or tornado drill.

From there, however, law enforcement entered and swept through the building.

According to GPD chief Justin Lovvorn, the drill is valuable practice for law enforcement, allowing officers to familiarize themselves with local schools beyond blueprints, and an opportunity for students, teachers, and administrators to understand the protocol.

After sweeping the building, officers evacuated all students and faculty, with hands raised, from the school.

The drill represented an organizing of Greenville and county law enforcement, who would respond jointly in an active shooter event.

“We have great communication [between] the sheriff’s department and the police department, using each other’s resources” said Lovvorn, “and this is just a part of working together again.”

County EMA director Kris Ware was present as well.

Ware would have the ability to request, for one example, state emergency services in response to such an event, and coordinate resources.

A similar drill was conducted at Fort Dale Academy the same day, and will be practiced sporadically at most area schools in the future.

Lovvorn also offers active shooter defense classes to schools, businesses, and other groups.