Omaha Police Threat Assessment & Management PDF

**ORGANIZATIONAL FUNCTION -- THREAT ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT** **PREAMBLE:** The Omaha Police Department (OPD) participates in Threat Assessment and threat advisement in collaboration with area stakeholders including mental health professionals, other area law enforcement agencies, local school a...

**ORGANIZATIONAL FUNCTION -- THREAT ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT** **PREAMBLE:** The Omaha Police Department (OPD) participates in Threat Assessment and threat advisement in collaboration with area stakeholders including mental health professionals, other area law enforcement agencies, local school administration (as applicable), representatives from community resource partners, and others as may be needed to maximize the safety and security of the community. The goal of Threat Assessment is to combat terrorism, assist in the protection of critical infrastructure and key resources, and mitigate threats of violence against persons/places (including workplace violence and incidents involving potential mass casualties as well as threats against individuals) or any other criminal acts. The process of Threat Assessment is intended to identify and assess the credibility and likelihood of occurrence of known and perceived threats in collaboration with stakeholders. The process additionally involves managing any identified threats, in an effort to mitigate threats and prevent any from coming to fruition. As part of these efforts, OPD is also a key partner in the Douglas County School Threat Advisory Team (DC STAT), a group specifically formed to identify, assess, and manage threats targeted at schools, school personnel, students or others in schools, and/or educational institutions in Douglas County. OPD utilizes TIPS (Threat Incident Prevention System) to electronically receive and manage tips related to threats. Threat tips may be submitted to OPD electronically via the system (link available on the OPD web site). The system helps to foster partnership and collaboration between federal, state, and local partners, both public and private, in the shared interest of public safety. **POLICY:** It is the policy of the Omaha Police Department (OPD) to work cooperatively with mental health professionals, other law enforcement agencies, area school administrators, and other community stakeholders and partners to maximize public safety and assess and monitor threats in the Omaha area. **DEFINITIONS:** [Behavioral Risk Assessment:] A process designed to identify, analyze, and manage threats in order to prevent violence. This collaborative, multidisciplinary approach uses scientific methodology to determine the severity of threats and to plan interventions to support and protect potential victims and offenders. [Safe2Help Nebraska]: An anonymous safety tip reporting tool, used primarily for school and/or student safety tip reporting. School/Student safety-related tips can be submitted 24/7 via phone (531-299-7233), online [([www.safe2helpne.org])](http://www.safe2helpne.org/) or via the Safe2Help Nebraska app. [Targeted Violence:] Behavior that is the result of an understandable process of thinking and behavior, not the result of spontaneity or impulsivity. [TIPS (Threat Incident Prevention System):] The tip management system that is used by the Omaha Police Department, and selected stakeholders/partners, to receive and manage tips related to threats against public safety. [Threat Assessment]: Threat Assessment is a fact-based, systematic process designed to Identify, Inquire, Assess, and Manage potentially dangerous or violent situations. A key goal is to distinguish between an individual who [makes] a threat, versus one who [poses] a threat. [Threat Assessment and Management Team]: The OPD Threat Assessment and Management Team includes representatives from several disciplines and has special expertise and professional training in managing threats and the risk of violence. Working together, Team members assess and address intimidating, threatening or violent behaviors. **PROCEDURES** I. **OPD Threat Assessment and Management Team (TAMT) - General** A. OPD Threat Assessment and Management Team (TAMT) members will engage in a systematic process that is designed to: 1. Identify situations/persons of concern. 2. Investigate and gather information. 3. Assess situations. 4. Manage the situations and mitigate risks. B. The OPD TAMT meets monthly at a minimum, and, if needed due to referrals or incidents, may meet more frequently. C. The OPD TAMT shall include, at a minimum, persons from three areas/fields of expertise. Members shall work actively, ethically, and collaboratively with one another in order to support the overall functions of the Team. 5. The OPD TAMT includes the Mental Health Coordinator, the Behavioral Health and Wellness Unit Crisis Co-Responders and Sergeant, Douglas County Board of Mental Health Attorney, the Intelligence Squad Sergeant, the Assault Unit Lieutenant, and the Neighborhood Services Unit Lieutenant. a. When a member cannot attend a TAMT meeting, they shall designate a subordinate to attend in their place. 6. Additional partners that may be considered to participate in meetings or team activities on a case-by-case basis include the following: b. OPD employees who are not regular TAMT members, when necessary. c. School/Educational institution staff or administrators. d. Community-based stakeholders, such as other law enforcement personnel, probation, courts, mental health, medical, mentors, coaches, and clergy. e. Persons with Human Resources, legal, special education, and/or culturally and trauma-informed expertise. II. **Referrals to TAMT and Assessment of Risk Levels** D. Persons/Cases may come to the attention of the TAMT for review or attention from various sources including, but not limited to, the following: 7. OPD employees. 8. Anonymous reporting. 9. Community members. 10. TIPS Reporting System. E. Referrals may be in the form of emails, phone calls, information reports, in-person reports/ discussions, or TIPS Reports. F. TAMT members who receive a referral will determine the Risk Level based on their use of screening materials that may include the following: 11. [[OPD Threat Assessment Guidance]](https://powerdms.com/docs/2760621/revisions/3725796) document. 12. [[Calhoon and Weston's: Need To Know]](https://powerdms.com/docs/2760599) document. G. While Risk Levels may be fluid, generally the subject/situation should be identified as being either Low, Moderate, or High Risk/Level of Concern. III. **Threat Monitoring and Management** H. Threat Assessment and Management may be enacted when one or more of the following triggering events are present: 13. A threat. 14. Inappropriate communication. 15. The execution and issuance of a restraining or stalking order. 16. A report of suspicious activity. 17. The recognition of pre-incident indicators of violence. I. Threats that have been identified by the TAMT as needing team monitoring shall be added to the TIPS Reporting System. 18. The OPD Public Information Office (PIO) is responsible for the review, triage and routing, and management of these TIPS Reporting System tips. IV. **Safe2Help Nebraska Threats and Tip Information Routing to OPD/Law Enforcement** J. The Safe2Help tip reporting system is used to receive and manage tips related to school and/or student safety threats. Safe2Help Crisis Counselors are [required to immediately contact 911 to] [report the following]: 19. Suicide threats (whether directly or indirectly reported) in which the Safe2Help Crisis Counselors are unable to verify the individual's safety after attempting to contact the parent/guardian and/or school administrators. 20. Threats to a school or individual. f. The dispatched officers will notify the OPD Assault Unit. 21. Allegations of abuse or criminal activity in which a school faculty member or employee is an alleged suspect. K. Other types of tips are handled by the Crisis Counselors directly and/or with the assistance of the respective schools' designated administrators, parents/guardians, etc. Many tips involve bullying or other non-criminal matters. 22. Notifications may occur the next business/working day if the tip is received after-hours or on a non-business day, depending on the nature of the tip. L. The Assault Unit will work with school administrators (including the respective SRO), the respective student and their parents/guardians, the OPD Behavioral Health and Wellness Unit, and/or the County Attorney's Office and other stakeholders that may be necessary, and via DC STAT, to follow-up both short- and long-term. **REFERENCES:** **I. Previous OPD Orders** A. Previous General Orders: \#49-22.