Boca Raton Police Services Department Threat Assessment And Risk Protection Unit PDF

BOCA RATON POLICE SERVICES DEPARTMENT Departmental Standards Directive 42.300 THREAT ASSESSMENT AND RISK PROTECTION UNIT Revised: new I. PURPOSE: The purpose of this departmental directive is to provide guidance for the reporting and assessments of threats to the threat assessment and risk protec...

BOCA RATON POLICE SERVICES DEPARTMENT Departmental Standards Directive 42.300 THREAT ASSESSMENT AND RISK PROTECTION UNIT Revised: new I. PURPOSE: The purpose of this departmental directive is to provide guidance for the reporting and assessments of threats to the threat assessment and risk protection unit (TARP). II. POLICY: It is the policy of the Department to value and preserve human life. The Department has specially trained law enforcement officers (LEOs) who assess and manage situations involving persons who pose a risk to public safety via threats, or actions. The TARP unit is also trained to conduct threat assessments of high risk and potentially dangerous individuals who have or may have a mental illness and/or substance abuse problem and may be experiencing mental health distress. III. DEFINITIONS: Crisis Intervention: Emergency mental health care aimed to assist individuals who are in a mental health crisis. The goal is to minimize the potential for mental health harm to self or others. Mental Health Clinician: A State of Florida licensed mental health counselor, clinical social worker or marriage and family therapist licensed under FSS 491. Risk Assessment: A calculation, based upon known variables, of a person’s risk for engaging in violence. Risk level is often based upon static factors (i.e. demographics, previous history, family history and clinical history) rather than warning behaviors, and frequently requires in-person evaluations by a mental health clinician. Threat: An expression of intent to do harm or act out violently against someone or something, including themselves. A threat can be spoken, written, or symbolic, to include any social and digital media threats. Threat Assessment: A structured group process used to evaluate the risk posed by a person, typically as a response to an actual or perceived threat or concerning behavior. Threat Management: A process to evaluate a person of concern’s behavior through interventions and strategies designed to disrupt or prevent an act of targeted violence. Effective: January 13, 2020 Revised: Threat Assessment and Risk Protection Unit Directive No. 42.300 Page 1 of 4 IV. PROCEDURE: A. NOTIFICATION TO THE TARP UNIT: The TARP Unit shall be notified via the on-call Investigative Services Bureau (ISB) supervisor in the following situations: a. Any incident when an individual(s) has made a verbal or written threat of violence to organizations, businesses, religious facilities, schools, structures and critical infrastructures. b. Any incident when an individual(s) has made threats of violence through social media or digital communications to organizations, businesses, schools, structures, critical infrastructures, or to a member or members of the community. c. B. Any incident where a Risk Protection Order could be applicable. REFERRALS TO THE TARP UNIT: Unit: The following cases will be assigned as “follow-up” to ISB for review by the TARP a. Any incident when there is no articulable threat, but there is a concern for the community and/or any future incidents in which an individual(s) may cause a threat or potential threat to an organization, school, structure, critical infrastructures, or members of the community through verbal, written, digital communication, or actions. b. Any of the following civil processes: i. Involuntary Baker Acts and there is no threat to anyone except the individual. ii. Marchman Acts. iii. Civil assists involving voluntary admissions to a mental health facility. C. TARP UNIT RESPONSIBILITIES AND FOLLOW-UP PROCEDURES: A threat and risk assessment will be conducted by the unit supervisor, the mental health clinician, and a detective on all cases referred to the TARP unit. Cases will be assigned to TARP detectives for follow up as needed after the initial threat and risk assessment is completed. Effective: January 13, 2020 Revised: Threat Assessment and Risk Protection Unit Directive No. 42.300 Page 2 of 4 A threat management plan will be developed by the unit supervisor, the mental health clinician, and a detective on all cases assigned to the TARP unit. A weekly threat and risk assessment review of all cases assigned to the TARP unit shall be conducted by unit employees during the weekly team meeting. D. DETECTIVE RESPONSIBILITIES: Detectives assigned follow-up investigations shall follow the guidelines in Standard Operating Procedure 42.01 Criminal Investigations. Detectives assigned to the TARP unit shall follow the guidelines in Directive 42.100 Investigative Services Bureau. Detectives shall follow the procedures in Standard Operating Procedure 74.03 Mental Health when filing for a Risk Protection Order (RPO). Detectives shall follow-up on any active RPOs every 30 days. Prior to the expiration date of the RPO, the detective shall determine if an extension is needed. Detectives that have been assigned a case shall make contact with the subject as soon as practical, not to exceed 5 days. Detectives will conduct threat assessments, determine actions needed and document in their follow-up report. E. TARP UNIT SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITIES: Oversee the daily administrative duties, time management and coordination of activities of detectives and mental health clinician. Supervise the Crisis Intervention Team. Review all reports referred to the TARP unit to make determine proper assignment (i.e.; detective or CIT officer). Involuntary Baker Acts and civil assists involving voluntary admissions to mental health facilities that are not accepted by the TARP Unit shall be referred to a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) officer. The CIT officer will follow up with the subject, assess their mental health status and provide resources as needed. This follow-up will be documented in a supplemental report and reviewed by the TARP Unit supervisor. Conduct a weekly team meeting where a threat and risk assessment review of all cases assigned to the TARP unit will be completed. Schedule and coordinate quarterly training with TARP unit detectives and CIT officers. The training will be documented on the monthly activity report. Effective: January 13, 2020 Revised: Threat Assessment and Risk Protection Unit Directive No. 42.300 Page 3 of 4 Review all completed investigations. F. MENTAL HEALTH CLINICIAN RESPONSIBILITIES: Assist detectives, when needed, with a person(s) in crisis. Assist detectives with follow-ups on assigned cases and RPO cases. centers. Provide risk assessment and possible referrals to proper treatment and treatment Conduct long-term and short-term crisis intervention. Visit community resource facilities throughout Palm Beach County to build knowledge of available programs and build community relationships. Provide training to Department employees and the community on mental health related issues. Serve as an advocate for subjects in need of mental health services to include case management and intervention. G. MONTHLY ACTIVITY REPORT: The TARP unit supervisor shall submit a monthly activity report to the bureau commander or his/her designee. Approved: Michele Miuccio Interim Chief of Police Effective: January 13, 2020 Revised: Date: Threat Assessment and Risk Protection Unit Directive No. 42.300 Page 4 of 4