LOCAL NEWS

Retired police captain continues work to protect schools with tech for teachers

May 25, 2022, 5:24 PM | Updated: Jun 19, 2024, 5:22 pm

SALT LAKE CITY — A retired police officer who spent most of his career working to protect schools, is continuing that work with a Salt Lake-based company that created an app for school staff and first responders to communicate quickly during an active shooter situation.

Former Sandy Police Captain Justin Chapman was devastated to hear the news about the horrific school shooting in Uvalde, Texas that killed 21 people, most of them children.

“Maybe it was because the numbers. Maybe it was because of the ages. Maybe it was because it was an elementary school, you know, my emotions popped up right away.”

Chapman retired from law enforcement in January this year after 28 years working for the Sandy Police Department.

“My interest in school safety is very high because really that’s what I’ve lived in a law enforcement aspect over the last 28 years.”

Chapman can’t help but think back to his second day as a school resource officer in 1998, just eight months before the Columbine School shooting, when he says, “we were able to stop an active shooting event at that school.”

“A student came with a loaded firearm on school grounds in a vehicle, prepared and ready to shoot other students at the end of the day.”

Chapman says a girl overheard the student say they had a gun. She decided to speak up and tell a hall monitor who notified Chapman and foiled the plot before it began.

“Credit goes to her for stopping a school shooting that was going to occur in the seventh period,” he said.

That moment was a “wake-up call” for Chapman, who began examining school shootings and prevented school shootings. His research led him to create a school training program called E.S.C.A.P.E. that taught students and staff the best actions to take to protect themselves during a shooting.

“Certainly the planning and prevention would be what all of us want. That it would never get to that point. But if it does come to that space we have teachers, we have students who are prepared to act. Because they understand and know what their options are,” he said.

But Chapman says, “we can do a lot better.”

After his retirement in January he joining the team at Aegix Global in Salt Lake City. The company sells “swift shields”, a foldable, lightweight bulletproof shield that can easily be stored and concealed in a classroom or office in case of an emergency.

But the company also offers technology that it says will fill the gap that exists when a shooting is underway at a place like a school.

“You have these students and staff who are really on their own for a moment of time, right? And what do you do then? What do you do?” Chapman said.

“And that’s really where that type of training comes in. And that’s where this app can help out.”

The phone app allows a school official to send out a customized alert to staff, letting them know of an active shooting or other emergency situation.

When the alert pops up on their phones, the app asks a few questions that allows teachers and other staff to notify others of where they are and whether they’re safe or need medical attention.

The app also includes a map of the campus where users can click on a building or room to see who is in there and whether they need help. All of this information would be available to responding officers and paramedics, alerting them of where the problem is and who needs help.

Chapman has learned in an active shooter situation, communication and timing can mean the difference between life and death.

“The quicker we can get in there, the more protection we can give them while they’re waiting for law enforcement. We anticipate that that will translate to lives saved and a better outcome overall,” he said.

“Saving time is saving lives. It truly is.”

Aegix says various law enforcement agencies and others are already using the technology. Cache County is also using it at its schools, police departments and cities.

KSL 5 TV Live

Local News

A construction site fire caused power outages throughout Provo City on Saturday....

Kennedy Camarena

Construction site fire causes power outages in Provo

A construction site fire burning in Provo on Saturday caused a power outage throughout the city.

3 hours ago

Autumn Mercado, who was found dead in her home on Monday, Jan. 13, 2025....

Garna Mejia

Charges pending in case of West Jordan mother found dead, family seeks justice and protection for children

Nearly a month after the discovery of a West Jordan woman's body during a welfare check, charges in the case have yet to be filed.

12 hours ago

FILE - A police vehicle flashes its lights. (Matt Rourke, Associated Press) FILE: police lights. On...

Michael Houck

Pedestrian killed after being hit by a vehicle, Santa Clara-Ivins police say

A woman was fatally hit by a vehicle Friday evening, Santa Clara-Ivins police say.

13 hours ago

An Orem home that was scheduled to be demolished on fire on Feb. 4, 2025....

Brian Carlson

Massive Orem house fire being investigated as arson

A fire that destroyed an empty Orem home in a wooded area of the city is now being investigated as arson.

14 hours ago

Nancy Duncan and Nick Jenderko behind Sabrina Carpenter at the 2025 Grammy Awards show....

Mike Anderson

Utahns sat among stars at the Grammys

Some Utahns earned some bragging rights after a night at the Grammy Awards.

15 hours ago

FILE: On the same day the Utah’s Senate unanimously passed a resolution to bring an NHL franchise...

Daniella Rivera

‘You are inviting rapists to Utah’: Survivor urges lawmakers to consider consent bill

Year after year, Utah lawmakers have resisted or ignored efforts to close what experts and advocates say is a gap in the state’s sexual assault laws. The lawmaker behind those efforts hopes this year will be different.

16 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

holiday gift basket with blue tissue paper and gingerbread cookies...

Kneaders Bakery & Cafe

Holiday hacks for a stress-free season

Get more out of your time with family and loved ones over the holidays by following these tips for a stress-free season.

2 computer techs in a computer shop holding up a computer server with the "hang loose" sign...

PC Laptops

A comprehensive guide to choosing the right computer

With these tips, choosing the right computer that fits your needs and your budget will be easier than ever.

crowds of people in a German style Christmas market...

This Is The Place Heritage Park

Celebrate Christkindlmarket at This Is The Place Heritage Park!

The Christkindlmarket is an annual holiday celebration influenced by German traditions and generous giving.

Image of pretty woman walking in snowy mountains. Portrait of female wearing warm winter earmuff, r...

Lighting Design

Brighten your mood this winter with these lighting tricks

Read our lighting tips on how to brighten your mood in the winter if you are experiencing seasonal affective disorder.

A kitchen with a washer and dryer and a refrigerator...

Appliance Man

Appliance Man: a trusted name in Utah’s home appliance industry

Despite many recent closures of local appliance stores, Appliance Man remains Utah's trusted home appliance business and is here to stay.

abstract vector digital social network technology background...

Les Olson

Protecting yourself against social engineering attacks

Learn more about the common types of social engineering to protect your online or offline assets from an attack.

Retired police captain continues work to protect schools with tech for teachers