"DYING TO WORK" PART VII: WHAT SECURITY & LAW ENFORCEMENT CAN DO What Security Can Do: Being proactive means being coordinated and prepared for a crisis before it happens. This means forming and training a Crisis Management Team. I. Crisis Management Team A Crisis Management Team should consist of: A. Security. B. Human Resources. C. A Senior On-site Manager. D. Legal Counsel. E. EAP or Psychologist. F. Communications Expert(s) that deal with internal and external communication. Ideally, there should be a senior management member from each administrative department within the company. The goal is to formulate a well-coordinated, well-thought out and workable plan that represents the best thinking from all departments within the company. II. Services That Security Departments Can Provide A. Communication. Security can work with Human Resources and Management so that a proactive approach can be taken to help avoid any potential violence. B. Information. When a situation begins to develop, it's usually dealt with by more than one department. It is essential that departments communicate with Security one another so that they can coordinate their efforts. C. Notification. Security may become aware of a threat before the intended victim does. In this case, Security can notify the appropriate departments and supervisors and, if appropriate, notify the intended victim. D. Coordination. Security knows how to reach emergency resources such as local law enforcement agencies, fire departments, ambulance services, etc. in the event that a violent incident occurs. III. Routine Activities That Security Departments Can Provide A. CPTED: Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design. This is a system for controlling a person's behavior by modifying their environment. Some examples are: 1. Keeping a barrier, such as a counter or desk between employee and customer. 2. Key Card Access. 3. Existence of Security Cameras. B. Access Control. Monitoring who enters and exits the work environment. Examples are: 1. Key Card Access. 2. Limiting certain areas of a work environment to only those who need to be in a particular area. C. Escort Assistance. This type of service can be used by employees who leave work after dark. 1. Taxis can be called to take the employee home. Then follow up with a phone call to make sure the employee arrived home safely. 2. Walk the employee to his/her vehicle. D. Assist with Threats. If an employee receives threatening phone calls at work, Security can tape the calls so that the evidence can be turned over to local law enforcement. E. Employee Involvement. If a person appears to be wandering about the workplace, the employee should ask them "Can I help you?" If necessary, the wandering person should be reported to the Security department. Employees need to feel comfortable in notifying Security of any suspicious person or activity within the workplace and of any unusual behavior among co-workers. It is important for the Security department to treat these notifications with a high degree of discretion and sensitivity. It is counter- productive to stigmatize the employee who has come forward. For those employees who do not feel comfortable with reporting in person, a hot line or "drop box" should be established. While it is Security's job to protect employees, the employees must work together with Security to promote a zero tolerance policy. Employees need to know that threats, intimidating behavior and weapons of any kind will not be tolerated. It is important that the employees be committed to this policy so that violence does not become a threat to the company. F. Liaison with Law Enforcement. Security needs to be able to assist local law enforcement by: 1. Having the building evacuated or moving people in eminent danger to another part of the building. 2. Let law enforcement handle deadly force, if necessary. What Law Enforcement Can Do: I. Proactive Services Available Through Law Enforcement A. Liaison Officer A person who is given responsibility to work with specific groups throughout the business community. A liaison officer knows how and where to obtain pertinent information. B. Site Surveys A survey of a site or location to evaluate and make recommendations regarding how to increase Security. C. Referrals Sometimes law enforcement officials can talk to a person who may be having problems and direct them to community programs which can assist them. For example: 1. Substance Abuse Programs. 2. Community Mental Health Programs. D. Violence Assessments. Law enforcement can tell management how to obtain additional information on a potential perpetrator. Example: 1. Examine his/her past history. 2. Contacting agencies to find out about past convictions. 3. Referrals to private investigative agencies which can provide background information on a potential perpetrator. II. Local Law Enforcement Agencies Can Provide The Following: A. ASSISTANCE WITH THREATS The investigating officer will do a background check on the individual who has made a threat. By doing this, law enforcement can usually determine the validity of a threat. A restraining order may be necessary when, for example: 1. An employee has been terminated. 2. The company no longer wishes to do business with a disgruntled customer. B. NON-VIOLENT INTERVENTION The police can contact an individual who may be causing problems and let them know that if they continue to be disruptive, the situation will not be ignored. The goal is to resolve the issue before it creates a larger problem. C. ARRESTS There are three ways in which local law enforcement can help: PREVENTION INTERVENTION EXPERIENCE ON THE STREETS The most important thing anyone can do to prevent or mitigate a violent situation is to report suspicious or violent behavior to law enforcement. By not reporting a situation, you are sending a message to the perpetrator that his/her behavior or actions are acceptable and that nothing will be done to stop him or her. By reporting the situation, you are, in effect, saying that disruptive or violent behavior will not be tolerated. This may prevent a more serious situation from developing. 5