This Is Only a Test: Dominican Hosts Police Drill

River Forest police and school officials at Dominican University are reminding residents that an early-morning police exercise is only a test.

The drill, an "active shooter incident," kicks off at 6:30 a.m. Thursday at Parmer Hall, a large building on the campus that houses labs, classrooms and offices.

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Sgt. Michael Thornley said it's part of a series of training exercises designed to combat against those looking to "cause harm and-or kill people within a defined space," like inside a classroom or workplace. Officers have carried out similar trainings at and and schools.

The public, Thornley said, is prohibited from gawking — officers will be shooting nonlethal weapons, which could prove dangerous.

"If you're inside the building, you could hear gunshots but it would be from blank guns," Thornley said. "And screaming and yelling. We make the scenarios extremely realistic."