Threat Assessment & Security Measures

Threat Assessment &Security Measures 1/Sgt. Michael D. Lynch West Virginia State Police

Rule # 1 The person with the best plan usually wins!

Violent Incidents • In most cases, the perpetrator has a plan • Precursors to violence are present but are not recognized • Victims typically don’t have a survival plan • Environmental issues play a key role • Victims think like victims and not like survivors • Most homicide victims were “trapped”

The Target or Bull’s eye Concept • You as an individual are the center of the target , also known as the bull’s eye (level 1) • The next ring out from the bull’s eye is your immediate surrounding (level 2) • The second ring out is the area around your immediate surrounding (level3) • The more rings you can employ with safety measures, the more difficult it is for a threat to reach you

The Target Your Office Building Your Office / Floor Your Desk Area You THREAT

Levels of Defense • Level 1 (You) • Maintain your health with diet and exercise • Wear clothing and shoes that are practical and don’t restrict your ability to move quickly • Stay alert and be aware of your surroundings • Never ignore indicators of danger • Have a mental (what if) plan • Personal safety is a personal responsibility

Levels of Defense • Level 2 (Your immediate surrounding) • Make sure your immediate surrounding does not trap you • Make sure your immediate surrounding is free of clutter • Determine if your immediate surrounding can provide you safety • What measures of safety and security are available? • Develop a mental escape plan from your immediate area to an area of safety

Levels of Defense • Level 3 (Area around your immediate surrounding) • What measures of safety and security are in place or available? • What are your most viable options to escape a threat? • Are there any obstacles in your escape route? • What is the most direct route to your next level of safety? • If escape is not possible, where is the most secure place to hide?

Keep in Mind • Keeping your “Target” safe is your Personal Safety Plan “PSP” • Maintain a “Situational Awareness” in order to be able to constantly update your levels of defense • As your “Target” moves, so do the factors in the various defensive levels • Your PSP only works if you employ it • Your PSP applies everywhere you go: work, school, shopping, home, etc.

Common Sense • A moving target is much harder to hit than a stationary target • The farther you can get from the threat, the safer you will be • “Cover” & “Concealment” can aid in keeping you safe • Running in a straight line won’t help unless you can run faster than the bullet • If being attacked by a bear, I don’t have to run faster than the bear, I just have to run faster than you

Threat Assessment • The first question to ask yourself when thinking about a threat is: How easy would it be for a threat to reach me? • Would a person be able to walk in from the street or parking lot and go directly to your immediate area without any intervention? • If your answers were “Easy” and “Yes”, then you have reason to be concerned

Threat Assessment • The sharing of information regarding potential threats is critical to survival • Can the threat be contained or suppressed at an outer level? • Do you know the motivation behind the threat? • Do you know the intended target of the threat? • Never assume the target of the threat is the only person in danger

Threat Assessment • Be aware and recognize potential threats • Disgruntled employee / recent termination • Domestic relationships • Angry customers or clients • Criminal motivations: robbery, assault, sexual assault • Random or opportunistic incidents • Warn others as quickly as possible, but provide for your own safety

Threat Assessment • Visual Indicators • Clothing that looks to be hiding a weapon(s) • Tension in the face and eyes very focused • Teeth and fists clenched • Rigidity in the body • Profuse sweating • Very deliberate walk

Threat Assessment • Verbal Indicators • Raised voice • Angry tone • Expressed threat

Security Measures • Locked doors (home, office, car, etc.) provide the first line of defense against a threat • Incorporate as many security measures as possible • “Hard Targets” are better than “Soft Targets” • Personal Security Measures (weapons, pepper spray, tasers, etc.) are a last resort and employed only if all means of escape have been removed • Your best security measure is simply being aware of your surroundings

Discussion

Threat Assessment & Security Measures