Alabama Hostage Standoff: Did Slain Midland City Bus Driver Receive Hostage Situation Training?

Impact

The Mobile, Alabama county school system's 600 drivers recieve training on how to deal with a hostage situation, officials said Wednesday.

But it's unclear whether the bus driver killed in the Midland City hostage situation, Charles Albert Poland, recieved the same training.

“We would hope that a situation like that would never occur, but we have to make sure our drivers are trained to respond in any situation,” said Pat Mitchell, transportation director for the school system said.

It is against the law for anyone other than a registered student, bus driver, or an authorized school employee to board a bus, Mitchell said. School busses are also subject to the same gun-free restrictions placed on schools.