Threat Assessment Teams (TAT) Development & Implementation Strategies

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1 Threat Assessment Teams (TAT) Development & Implementation Strategies Created and Presented by Glenn French The Canadian Initiative on Workplace Violence

2 Overview During our short time together: 1. What is a TAT and why might it be valuable 2. The TAT s role and mandate 3. TAT membership 4. Incident reporting procedures 5. Components of a comprehensive risk assessment 6. The importance of risk abatement planning 7. Interventions and support for the victim 8. Resources to explore

3 Individual Threat vs. Organizational Risk Individual Threat Targeted threats Behaviours of concern Organizational Risk Facility vulnerability Process gaps

Experts comment, the public demands & Legislators act.

4 Why Now Legislation and workplace strategies are commonly reactive, followed by a wave of moral outrage. Experts comment, the public demands & Legislators act. In the US school and workplace shootings In Canada legislative initiatives placing an onus on the employer.

school more than a month before the attack that killed 12 and injured 58 (Diane Sawyer, ABC News August 1, 2012) 2007 attack at Virginia Tech galvanized campus safety efforts

5 TAT s in the News Aurora, Colo., shooting suspect James Holmes came to the attention of the threat assessment committee at the University of Colorado but no further action was taken because he left the school more than a month before the attack that killed 12 and injured 58 (Diane Sawyer, ABC News August 1, 2012) 2007 attack at Virginia Tech galvanized campus safety efforts and to focus the nation s attention on the issue of preventing campus shootings. Nearly all of the major reports on campus safety included the adoption of a threat assessment model that included campus threat assessment teams. (Implementing Behavioral Threat Assessment on Campus A Virginia Tech Demonstration Project, Nov, 2009)

6 Employment Law Prediction Fox Rothschild LLP Catherine Barbieri USA Greater Focus on Security. According to statistics compiled by the United States Occupational Safety and Health administration, homicide is the leading cause of death for women in the workplace. In the wake of a year that has been rocked by gun violence, employers will re-evaluate their security measures; ensure that they have violence preparedness plans; and train their employees on their violence in the workplace policies. Association of Corporate Counsel (Lexology, January, 2013)

7 The Rationale There is the growing belief that a coordinated approach before, during, and after a threatening incident can act as a possible deterrent and/or at least maximize the organization s ability to provide care, safety, and security for those involved, thereby reducing their liability.

8 What is a TAT? The Threat Assessment Team (TAT) is a group of trained and informed individuals from within the organization who discuss, evaluate and address behaviours of concern that could precede a violent event. This could include violence to self, others or the organization. The team may solicit external expertise.

9 Establishing the Need Past experience re: critical incidents The effectiveness of your current process Legislative, regulatory and legal requirements Appraisal of staffing The size of your operation Are other options more realistic

10 Smaller Workplaces In smaller or medium sized workplaces a TAT may not be feasible, given staffing levels, resources and level of risk. In these cases look to resources in your community for support and direction. It is best to establish this in advance of any critical incident.

Assessment Follow-Up Continuous Program Review Prevention Procedures

11 The TAT in Context The TAT is not a panacea, rather one part of a larger violence prevention program, which includes: Education Policy Hazard Assessment Follow-Up Continuous Program Review Prevention Procedures Victim Assistance Emergency Response Planning Threat Reporting/Investigation TAT

12 Reporting & Investigating Workplace violence is frequently under reported. Every workplace should have a clearly defined system set up for the reporting, recording and investigating incidents or possible incidents of violence. Reporting & Investigation TAT

13 TAT Linkages Mandate of the TAT should be referenced in the organization s Violence Prevention Policy and procedures. The TAT should be intimately aware of: Organizational Risk Assessment Emergency response planning Victim Support Incident Follow-Up Training Program Review

14 Preliminary Considerations TAT membership is NOT a casual undertaking. The individual and the organization must appreciate this from the outset. Members must be available to respond when someone is endangered. Members must be adequately trained for their specific responsibilities, meaning an investment of time and resources on the part of the organization meaning senior management buy-in. Where will the program report (Security, HR, etc.)

15 Team Structure & Composition Risk Assessment Specialist Police HR Corp. Security Occupational Health Management Union Representative Employee Assistance External Expertise Auxiliary Team Core Team Co-ordinator Legal Public Relations Senior Management Dedicated individual and designate (HR, Security, etc.)

16 Report Yes Immediate Threat No Security/911 Incident Review in TAT Scope Risk Assessment Report TAT Initial Screening In Scope Dealt with Outside TAT No Risk No Risk Possible Risk Positive Risk Performance Management Document No Risk Risk Assessment & Report

17 Specific Procedural Considerations Terms of reference Responsibility and authority Point of contact (who, when and how) Intake considerations (Required information, triggers to escalate, documentation) Team functioning (Chair, minutes, etc.) Documentation, archiving information Education and training Program promotion

18 Terms of Reference/Authority Confirms a common understanding between members how they will make decisions and work together. This Includes: Purpose Membership Meeting Frequency Timeframe Authority Roles and Responsibilities

19 Incident Reporting Simply put how will the TAT receive concerns? Call-out Pager, cell, etc. Will this be a 24 hr. operation Must the expressed concern be in writing Is the contact channelled through a third party (i.e. security, etc.)

20 Status Data Assessment Data Past behaviours of concern (threats, actions, complaints, documents, etc.) Grievances, workplace action (work refusals, discipline, etc.) Occupational health information (as permitted) Patterned absenteeism Dynamic Data Structured threat assessment interview

21 Documentation Elements of the response should be documented. All documentation should be collated and maintained in a central and secure location. Documentation may include: Name and relationship to organization Specific threat (what was said, incident, etc.) Nature of the contact (physical, threatening, etc.) Details of the incident (pre, during and post) Steps taken to prevent or respond to the threat International Association of Chiefs of Police

22 Path to Intended Violence Calhoun and Weston 2003 Preparation Event Planning Ideation Grievance TAT Violence is a process, as well as an act - CPI

23 Risk Abatement Planning Given the interplay between factors and influences, planning should include: Environmental changes Interventions with the perpetrator Interventions with the target

24 Management Strategies Do Nothing Arrest Watchful Waiting Restraining Order Threat Investigate Mental Health Confront Adm. Action K. Calder & Associates

25 Image of Concern On an employees desk following a poor performance appraisal

26 Image of Concern On an employees desk following a poor performance appraisal

27 Posting of Concern There comes a time when a man must hoist the black flag, roll up his sleeves and begin cutting throats

28 Posting of Concern Posted on a bulletin board during labour negotiations There comes a time when a man must hoist the black flag, roll up his sleeves and begin cutting throats (H.L. Mencken)

29 Assessing Individual Threat What some people are asking... When should an assessment be conducted as a precautionary measure? What is best practice for assessing individual threats (individually, TAT, IME, etc.) What are the main components of a threat assessment

30 Measuring Individual Risk CSI makes it look so easy Measuring individual risk is far less precise than is commonly thought. There is no instrument which can consistently predict violence. HCR 20 (Proactive Reactions) Stalking Assessment & Management (SAM) (Proactive Reactions) Mosaic (DeBecker & Associates)

31 Threat Assessment Elements HCR-20 Historical Data Current Clinical Data Risk Management ProActive ReSolutions (Dr. S. Hart) or (toll-free) The Mental Health, Law, and Policy Institute, Simon Fraser University, 2001.

32 Individual Risk - Historical Previous Violence Age of first Violent Incident Relationship Instability Employment Problems Major Mental Illness Psychopathy Early Maladjustment Personality Disorder Prior Supervision Failure 32

33 Individual Risk - Clinical Lack of Insight Negative Attitudes Active Symptoms of Major Mental Illness Impulsivity Unresponsive Unresponsive to Treatment 33

34 Individual Risk - Risk Plans Lack Feasibility Exposure to Destablizers Lack of Personal Support Noncompliance with Remedial Attempts Stress 34

35 Closing the File Always advisable to perform a post incident review regarding the response and subject Review the process re contact, assessment and response. Circumstances re the subject that lessen the risk What aspects of the risk abatement plan were successful or not What supports were in place to monitor and support the subject Ensure documentation is completed

36 Resources & Acknowledgements Implementing Behavioral Threat Assessment on Campus Nonviolent Crisis Intervention Training John E. Reid & Associates Interviewing & Interrogation Proactive Resolutions Gavin DeBecker & Associates

Managing Threats of Targeted Violence. Vancouver, British Columbia

Managing Threats of Targeted Violence Vancouver, British Columbia Agenda Violence Risk Assessment 101 Definitions Violence sources Violence typology Implementing a Inter-Disciplinary Threat Management