Violence Threat Risk Assessment Procedure October 2017
Table of Contents PREAMBLE... 3 ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES... 3 Crisis Operations Team (COT)... 3 Employees of Concern Advisory Team (ECAT)... 3 Students of Concern Advisory Team (SOCAT)... 3 Vice-Provost, Teaching and Learning and Associate Vice-President, Human Resources... 4 Protective Services... 4 College and Unit Leaders and Supervisors... 4 Faculty, Staff and Students... 4 RESPONDING TO THREAT MAKING BEHAVIOUR... 5 2
PREAMBLE In order to promote a campus that is safe, the goal of the University is to provide an integrated and coordinated process for identifying and responding to faculty, staff and students who may be at risk of harming themselves or others and/or who are significantly disruptive to the working, living, learning and research environment of the University. To achieve this goal, the following roles and responsibilities are defined. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Crisis Operations Team (COT) Plan, develop, and maintain this procedure Exercise overall command, control and coordination for the institutional response to emergency situations Employees of Concern Advisory Team (ECAT) The Director of Protective Services chairs and coordinates the ECAT Provide consultation and support to faculty, staff, and administration in assisting the employee who displays worrisome or high risk behaviours Consult with internal/external partners as necessary to assess and plan a response to worrisome or high risk behaviours Complete assessment and activate Violence Threat Risk Assessment Protocol as necessary Recommend appropriate interventions, strategies or disciplinary sanctions based on the levels of behaviour identified during the assessment The ECAT will follow-up and coordinate intervention plans developed by the team After a threat or an act of violence has occurred, provide trauma response, counseling and other appropriate interventions for those affected Will inform the Associate Vice-President (AVP), Human Resources, or a member of the Crisis Management Team (CMT) Students of Concern Advisory Team (SOCAT) The Student Affairs Case Manager (SACM) chairs and coordinates the SOCAT Provide consultation and support to faculty, staff, and administration in assisting students who displays worrisome or high risk behaviours Consult with internal/external partners as necessary to assess and plan a response to worrisome or high risk behaviours 3
Complete assessment and activate Violence Threat Risk Assessment Protocol as necessary Recommend appropriate interventions, strategies or disciplinary sanctions based on the levels of behaviour identified during the assessment After a threat or an act of violence has occurred, provide trauma response, counseling and other appropriate interventions for those affected Connect students with on and/or off campus resources Will inform the Vice-Provost, Teaching and Learning, or a member of the CMT Vice-Provost, Teaching and Learning and Associate Vice-President, Human Resources Act as the CMT lead, as required Provide leadership to Crisis Operations Team (COT), ECAT and SOCAT Communicate with other key university parties, as necessary Protective Services Providing 24-hour service and response to incidents of worrisome behaviour, high risk behaviour or immediate threats Collaboration with the ECAT or SOCAT to prevent, assess, respond to and help manage any real or potential incidents of worrisome behaviour, high risk behaviour or immediate threats Collaborate with law enforcement and intelligence agencies College and Unit Leaders and Supervisors Promoting a healthy, safe, respectful and productive work environment Report worrisome or high risk behaviour to supervisors, Protective Services, ECAT or SOCAT Ensuring that all policies and procedures involving workplace safety are clearly communicated and understood by all employees Faculty, Staff and Students Promoting a healthy, safe, respectful and productive work environment Not engaging in verbal threats or physical actions Report worrisome or high risk behaviour to supervisors, Protective Services, ECAT or SOCAT Following all University policies and procedures, as well as applicable legislation 4
RESPONDING TO THREAT MAKING BEHAVIOUR Report behaviours that may pose a risk or threat Worrisome Behaviours Share with Supervisor, Protective Services, ECAT or SOCAT Include but are not limited to: Violent content Writing or speech is disjointed and fragmented Stories/journals/assignments/ communications Vague threatening statements Significant change in anti-social behaviour Significant change in baseline behaviour and/or appearance Behaviours causing others to feel uncomfortable Disruptive behaviour in learning/living/working environments Suicidal ideation Significant academic/work performance changes Disrespect for authority, unreasonable demands Substance abuse Harassment/sexual harassment High use of email/social media High Risk Behaviours Contact Protective Services, ECAT or SOCAT Include but are not limited to: Acts of aggression Stalking behaviour Possession of weapon/replica Bomb threat plan Unwanted sexual advances/contact Verbal/written threat to kill/injure self or others Internet website threats to kill or injure self/others Fire-setting behaviour Escalation in frequency and/or intensity of behaviour Threats of violence Hate-motivated violence targeting a particular student or group Cluster of worrisome behaviour Plans of sabotage Writing or speech is disjointed and fragmented Gang related intimidation and violence Immediate Threat Call 911 Include but are not limited to: Weapons in possession that poses serious threat to others Plan for serious assault on a target Homicidal/ suicidal behaviour that threatens safety Fire-setting Acts of sabotage that threaten the safety of self or others Targeted bomb threat Any unfounded complaints with malicious intent are not acceptable. The University will not tolerate retaliation by anyone against any individual reporting a threat or act of violence in good faith. Initial Steps: Data collection and immediate risk reducing interventions are performed by ECAT or SOCAT. The initial data collection is often accomplished in one to two hours. It focuses on collecting case specific data and implementing risk reducing interventions, when necessary. Initial data collection includes, but is not limited to: - Review incidents by individual - Contact/interview individuals with relevant information 5
Depending on the data collected and the behaviour(s) identified, SOCAT or ECAT will decide a course of action and may develop an intervention plan. Activation of the Violence Threat Risk Assessment Protocol includes the following: clear, direct and plausible threats; possession of weapons (including replicas); specific bomb threats; fire setting; sexual intimidation or assault; gang related intimidation and violence; and other behaviours identified by ECAT/SOCAT. Next Steps: Multidisciplinary risk evaluation is focused on further data collection beyond the initial data set obtained. This further data collection may involve other community partners who are part of the Community Threat Assessment Support Protocol (CTASP), such as: Saskatoon Police Services, Saskatoon Fire and Protective Services, mental health professionals, counselors, psychiatry and others. Depending on the risk evaluation findings, SOCAT or ECAT may develop, implement and monitor a comprehensive multidisciplinary intervention plan and modify as appropriate. Further consultation with COT and/or Community Threat Assessment Support Protocol partners may occur as required. The University will support the participation of faculty, staff or students in activities related to recovering from a violent incident such as appointments with doctors, counselors, and other mental health professionals, or attending related training sessions. Employee of Concern Advisory Team (ECAT) Primary Contact: Protective Services, 306-966-5555 Team Members: Brian Muchmore, 306-966-4505 Cristina Goertzen, 306-966-6278 Rob Kliewer, 306-966-2370 Harold Shiffman, 306-966-8878 Student of Concern Advisory Team (SOCAT) 306-966-6076 or 306-9665757 Tracy Spencer, SOCAT Coordinator & Manager, Student Affairs and Outreach Peter Hedley (SOCAT Chair), Director, Student Affairs and Service Jocelyn Orb - Manager, Student Wellness Centre Beau Gallerneault Student Outreach Coordinator, Student Affairs and Outreach Harold Shiffman Manager, Protective Services Maxine Kinakin - Manager, Disability Services for Students Salome Jans van Rensburg - Manager, Student Central Sarah Sotvedt - Manager, Student Life 6