What is a deputy supposed to do in a school shooting? Go in

Broward County, Florida, Sheriff Scott Israel makes it clear: ex-school deputy Scot Peterson should have gone into Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and shot and killed gunman Nikolas Cruz on Feb. 14.

"When we in law enforcement arrive at an active-shooter, we go in and address the target and that's what should have been done," he said at a Thursday press conference.

But despite being armed, in uniform and at the school, Peterson, 54, never went inside throughout the shooting. Cruz would kill 17 people in the shooting, one of the worst in U.S. history. 

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President Trump and others denounced Peterson. Trump himself suggested the career law enforcement officer was a "coward," who perhaps "didn't have the courage" and ultimately "did a poor job." Others are choosing to reserve judgment until they learn more about the life-or-death position in which Peterson found himself.

But Broward County Sheriff's Office's Standard Operating Procedures indicate Peterson at least had the department's go-ahead to enter the building and take down Cruz.

Department policy states a deputy first contact agency communications, so it can call the SWAT team. Then, it's up to the deputy.

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"If real-time intelligence exists the sole deputy or a team of deputies may enter the area and/or structure to preserve life," the policy states. "A supervisor's approval or on-site observation is not required for this decision."

Real-time intelligence is a deputy's "personal observation of people fleeing, gunfire, etc." Peterson "clearly" knew there was a shooting, Israel said. 

Department protocols being one thing, Sheriff Israel was clear Peterson's duty was to act. When asked what Peterson should have done, the sheriff didn't hesitate in answering, "went in, addressed the killer, killed the killer."

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In modern active shooter procedures, law enforcement officers are trained to go toward an active shooter, as research shows an officer's presence can decrease the loss of life. All sworn personnel are trained in active shooter training, Broward's procedures say. 

Israel on Thursday said Peterson, who was suspended but then resigned, didn't give a reason as to why he stood outside for four of the six minutes Cruz was on his shooting spree. 

Peterson was certainly in a position to help. He had been on school grounds, in an office dealing with a school matter, when the shooting started and arrived at the building about one and half minutes after the shooting started.

He arrived outside the building, took up a position, and never entered the building. He stayed outside and did "nothing," Israel said.

Follow Sean Rossman on Twitter: @SeanRossman