Seminar Title
Online-Hoax Threats and Swatting in Schools: Recognition, Response, and Critical Decision-Making
Dates of Events
01/22/2027 through 01/22/2027
Last Updated: 11/13/2026
Instructor(s): Brian J. Clouse, Esq.
Course Registration Fee: $150
Instructor Bio
Brian J. Clouse, Esq.
Brian Clouse is a 43-veteran of law enforcement with 14 years of experience in school safety and security, leading two major urban school police departments as their Chief of Police and Coordinator of Safety and Security. Brian now provides consultation services to schools, including the provision of school vulnerability assessments and training for school resource officers and school administrators. Brian has also provided expert witness services in police and school liability cases, and has been an attorney for 26 years. Brian is a member of the National Association of School Resource Officers, the Indiana School Resource Officers Association, and is the founder of the Indiana School Resource Officers Association Foundation.
Brian Clouse is a 43-veteran of law enforcement with 14 years of experience in school safety and security, leading two major urban school police departments as their Chief of Police and Coordinator of Safety and Security. Brian now provides consultation services to schools, including the provision of school vulnerability assessments and training for school resource officers and school administrators. Brian has also provided expert witness services in police and school liability cases, and has been an attorney for 26 years. Brian is a member of the National Association of School Resource Officers, the Indiana School Resource Officers Association, and is the founder of the Indiana School Resource Officers Association Foundation.
Course Objectives
Course Overview:
Date: January 22, 2027
Time: 1:00pm-2:30pm Eastern
Swatting incidents and hoax threats present significant challenges for school administrators, school resource officers, and responding law enforcement agencies. Whether involving a fabricated active shooter report, a threatening telephone call, or a digitally transmitted threat, these incidents can trigger substantial emergency responses, disrupt school operations, and create risks for students, staff, and first responders.
This webinar examines the operational and legal considerations associated with responding to suspected swatting incidents and hoax threats in K–12 schools. Participants will explore the importance of threat verification, coordinated communication, situational awareness, and critical decision-making when information is incomplete or potentially deceptive.
Using realistic school-based scenarios, the course will address the roles of school administrators, school resource officers, dispatch personnel, and responding law enforcement agencies, with particular attention to avoiding unnecessary escalation while maintaining an appropriate protective response.
Learning Objectives:
Upon completion, participants will be able to:
Distinguish between swatting incidents, hoax threats, and other reported threats affecting K–12 schools
Identify operational challenges associated with verifying threat information while maintaining appropriate protective measures.
Explain the importance of coordinated communication among school officials, SROs, dispatch, and responding law enforcement agencies.
Apply situational awareness and critical decision-making principles to realistic school-based threat scenarios.
Identify documentation, investigative follow-up, and post-incident considerations associated with suspected hoax threats.
Intended Audience: School resource officers, law enforcement supervisors, school administrators, school safety personnel, and emergency management professionals.
Time: 1:00pm-2:30pm Eastern
Swatting incidents and hoax threats present significant challenges for school administrators, school resource officers, and responding law enforcement agencies. Whether involving a fabricated active shooter report, a threatening telephone call, or a digitally transmitted threat, these incidents can trigger substantial emergency responses, disrupt school operations, and create risks for students, staff, and first responders.
This webinar examines the operational and legal considerations associated with responding to suspected swatting incidents and hoax threats in K–12 schools. Participants will explore the importance of threat verification, coordinated communication, situational awareness, and critical decision-making when information is incomplete or potentially deceptive.
Using realistic school-based scenarios, the course will address the roles of school administrators, school resource officers, dispatch personnel, and responding law enforcement agencies, with particular attention to avoiding unnecessary escalation while maintaining an appropriate protective response.
Learning Objectives:
Upon completion, participants will be able to:
Distinguish between swatting incidents, hoax threats, and other reported threats affecting K–12 schools
Identify operational challenges associated with verifying threat information while maintaining appropriate protective measures.
Explain the importance of coordinated communication among school officials, SROs, dispatch, and responding law enforcement agencies.
Apply situational awareness and critical decision-making principles to realistic school-based threat scenarios.
Identify documentation, investigative follow-up, and post-incident considerations associated with suspected hoax threats.
Intended Audience: School resource officers, law enforcement supervisors, school administrators, school safety personnel, and emergency management professionals.
