Threat Assessment

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Threat Assessment Security Measures

• 1/Sgt. Michael D. Lynch
• West Virginia State Police

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The person with the best plan usually wins!

• Rule 1

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Violent Incidents

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

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The Target or Bulls eye Concept

• You as an individual are the center of the target
  , also known as the bulls eye (level 1)
• The next ring out from the bulls 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

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The Target
Your Office Building
Your Office / Floor
Your Desk Area
You
THREAT
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Levels of Defense

• Level 1 (You)
• Maintain your health with diet and exercise
• Wear clothing and shoes that are practical and
  dont 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

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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

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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?

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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.

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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 wont help unless you
  can run faster than the bullet
• If being attacked by a bear, I dont have to run
  faster than the bear, I just have to run faster
  than you

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Threat Assessment

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

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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

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Discussion