Report page 28

A distinguishing feature of the Secret Service’s behavioral threat assessment approach is that all cases are centrally administered by the Secret Service Protective Intelligence and Assessment Division (PID).

Centralized case administration ensures standardization in initiating cases, gathering information, and managing cases over time.

For instance, within the Secret Service, each case is centrally administered by special agents and intelligence analysts at Secret Service Headquarters in Washington, DC, while the investigative work for those cases is conducted by special agents in Secret Service Field Offices around the world, all of whom have been trained in behavioral threat assessment methodology.

In other words, Secret Service field agents routinely conduct interviews, review records, write reports, make assessments, and employ behavioral management strategies, while those processes are centrally coordinated, reviewed, and documented at Secret Service Headquarters.

A centralized, dedicated staff provides BTAUs the ability to view a concerning incident in its entirety, ensure that concerning behaviors are assessed appropriately and consistently, and design effective management plans for individuals of concern.

Centralized case administration further aids in the review of trends and the progression of concerning behaviors over time while also allowing the BTAU to direct and advise investigators who may not work on behavioral threat assessments as part of their normal duties.

For example, the BTAU may require a patrol officer to conduct a welfare check or interview an individual of concern and then report back their findings. In these cases, the patrol officer should provide any documentation regarding the results of the encounter to the BTAU in accordance with the BTAU’s requirements.

BTAUs must operate with a comprehensive understanding of individual rights to privacy with a particular focus on the handling and protection of personally identifiable information (PII).

Agencies should consult with their counsel or privacy personnel knowledgeable about the applicable laws and regulations related to individual privacy within their jurisdiction.

Some questions to consider regarding PII include, but are not limited to: • What rules allow the BTAU to request from individuals information that would otherwise be protected? • Where and how will the BTAU maintain documents and files (e.g., completed forms, case plans, and supporting documentation)? • Who will have access to these files? • How will the BTAU facilitate the sharing of information internally and externally with relevant agencies and partners while also ensuring appropriate protections of PII?