Preventing targeted violence requires a prevention mindset along with a clearly defined policy that establishes the BTAU within an agency while clarifying the unit’s legal authorities, operational objectives, and threshold for initiating cases.
cite page 17 STEP 1: Establish a Behavioral Threat Assessment Unit and Policy
Creating a written policy establishes these parameters and ensures the BTAU operates as intended.
cite page 17 STEP 1: Establish a Behavioral Threat Assessment Unit and Policy
When establishing a BTAU, law enforcement agencies must first recognize that targeted violence is preventable.
cite page 17 STEP 1: Establish a Behavioral Threat Assessment Unit and Policy
As research continues to show, individuals planning acts of targeted violence almost always exhibit observable concerning behaviors, offering opportunities for intervention and redirection before criminal behavior or violence occurs.
cite page 17 STEP 1: Establish a Behavioral Threat Assessment Unit and Policy
It is important for agencies to internalize this concept of prevention and recognize that law enforcement can be proactive in addressing targeted violence and are not limited to reactive responses to crimes or active assailants.
cite page 17 STEP 1: Establish a Behavioral Threat Assessment Unit and Policy
A structured behavioral threat assessment process can empower agencies, within all existing legal and constitutional parameters, to prevent future tragedies and loss of life.
cite page 17 STEP 1: Establish a Behavioral Threat Assessment Unit and Policy
The success of BTAU operations is dependent upon senior agency leadership support and direction.
cite page 17 STEP 1: Establish a Behavioral Threat Assessment Unit and Policy
Agency leadership must be supportive of the behavioral threat assessment mission
cite page 17 STEP 1: Establish a Behavioral Threat Assessment Unit and Policy
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