By Joanna Putman
Police1
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Mission Critical Partners has opened registration for its free virtual swatting masterclass, according to an MCP news release.
The event, scheduled to begin May 22, aims to educate emergency-response organizations, including 911 centers, law enforcement, fire/rescue and EMS on strategies to counteract “swatting,” according to the release.
Swatting involves hoax 911 calls that lead to unwarranted emergency response, targeting venues like airports and schools with increasing severity, prompting the FBI to declare it a national epidemic.
“We are excited to present our first Swatting Masterclass,” said John Chiaramonte, president of MCP’s consulting division. “It offers participants a first-of-its-kind, industrywide resource for identifying, mitigating and preventing swatting incidents, which unnecessarily tie up resources that could be deployed to legitimate incidents while also placing responders and citizens at risk.”
The Masterclass will cater to a wide audience involved in emergency response, including investigators, prosecutors and policymakers, who are instrumental in securing harsher penalties for swatters, according to the release. Participants have the flexibility to attend the entire masterclass or select individual sessions.
The curriculum includes courses like swatting incident identification, policy recommendations and technology considerations, according to the release.
Interested individuals are encouraged to register to secure their spot.