The Lakeland Police Department is taking over parts of the Florida Southern College campus for intensive, live-action active shooter training from July 6 to July 17, 2026. The drills will be held on weekdays, with two daily shifts: an afternoon block from 12:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and an evening session from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Training Details

The training push follows the 2026 Florida Active Shooter Training Conference, which was co-hosted by the Lakeland Police Department and the Florida SWAT Association at the same location. The department is rotating its sworn officers through high-stakes, scenario-based drills to ensure everyone on the force is sharp.

Because the scenarios are designed to be as realistic as possible, the department is giving the neighborhood a heads-up. People living or traveling near the college will see a mix of marked and unmarked police cars, specialized tactical equipment, and officers moving through active drills. Simulated gunshots will also be heard.

Police officials want to emphasize that these are controlled, planned exercises, and there is zero actual threat to the public, students, or staff. The department noted that putting officers through these realistic situations is the only way to ensure they can react quickly and safely if a real crisis ever happens.

Florida Southern College has a unique relationship with local law enforcement, as the Lakeland Police Department serves as the school’s official on-campus security force, providing around-the-clock protection. Command staff expressed gratitude to the college for handing over the keys to the campus training ground and thanked local residents in advance for their patience with the noise and disruption.

Original reporting: Tampa Free Press — read the source article.