“It is not a systemic failure. It is a human failure”
Comparatively physical security of a school is very similar to Force Protection in the military. The difference being that in local school districts steps are rarely taken to adequately implement effective procedures. Guards are one thing, the physical structure and integrity is another. In force protection the human is an integral part of that system. And that system fails when the human componant fails. The system fails when planned response forces do not react properly or timely . Hardened physical features of the site can take up some slack, if actually in place. Known threats can be neutralized if intel is generated and checked out. A system. It failed for more reasons then late response times and failure to launch a rapid tactical counter move.
An honest hotwash of this will clearly bring this out... if it is honest.
I doubt the physical structure nor the force protection or contingency backup would pass any test. In fact those features of a force protection system all failed or were simply non-existent.
I understand what force protection is given 8 years in the military including a year in Vietnam. I also spent 28 years as a foreign service officer including overseeing embassy security in six different countries and working several years in DC in the State Department office that designs our chanceries and consulates. Security is an integral part of building design and construction.
But this thread is about four armed Broward County deputies who stayed outside the building rather than enter and confront the shooter. Regardless of the other "systemic" failures regarding procedures, physical security, etc., this is a human failure stemming from cowardice and an unwillingness to do one's duty. There is no excuse or fix to remedy their actions save holding them accountable.
There are many things that can be done to harden our schools and make them safer. It is a massive and costly undertaking.