Protective Intelligence And Threat Assessment Investigations

In 1992, the Secret Service, in partnership with the National Institute of Justice and with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Prisons, began the Exceptional Case Study Project (ECSP), a 5-year study to examine the thinking and behavior of individuals who have attacked or approached to attack prominent public officials or figures in the United States since 1949. ECSP findings reveal general threat assessment information relating to attacks on public officials and figures, while suggesting that broader application of threat assessment protocols by Federal, State and local law enforcement officials could help anticipate and prevent other crimes, such as stalking and workplace violence. Drawing from project findings, this guide describes an approach to threat assessment and the protective intelligence investigative process that can be of assistance to Federal, State, and local law enforcement and security professional with protective intelligence responsibilities. Though not intended to serve as an operations manual, the guide presents information and ideas about developing and implementing protective intelligence programs and activities. Information about the thinking and behavior of persons who have attacked or come close to attacking public officials and figures can help refine law enforcement operations related to preventing and investigating violence and threats of violence.

Threat assessment or protective intelligence is the process of gathering and assessing information about persons who may have the interest, motive, intention, and capability of mounting attacks against public officials and figures. Gauging the potential threat to and vulnerability of a targeted individual is key to preventing violence. Among criminal justice functions, threat assessment holds great promise for determining vulnerability and guiding interventions in potentially lethal situations. The primary goal of every protective intelligence investigation is to prevent an attack on a potential target. By using a combination of investigative skill, corroboration, and common sense, a protective intelligence investigator can gather the information and evidence to make a thoughtful assessment of the threat an individual may pose to a target. Once an assessment is made, a plan can be developed and implemented to monitor the individual and to intervene, as appropriate, to prevent an attack. Attention to the individual's motives and attack-related behaviors and to the systems (family, work, community, criminal justice, mental health, and social services) that the individual is involved with are key to assessing and managing a potential threat.

Whether safeguarding people or places, most security operations look from the inside out, and all too often more attention is paid to the "who" instead of the "how." But a good security program is conducted from the outside in, based on action rather than reaction. The idea is to focus on intelligence that will prevent the next attack from happening. We refer to this proactive process as protective intelligence.

Detailed “how to's” of threat assessment—from the initial contact to the sharing of results! Risk management can be an organizational nightmare, but it is an essential part of your operations. Recent events have shown us that organizations need to know how to respond swiftly and effectively in emergencies and that companies need to protect their employees from internal and external threats. This book provides you with the tools you need to protect both your employees and yourself from a variety of threats. Threat Assessment: A Risk Management Approach examines the factors that human resource, security, legal, and behavioral professionals need to understand in work violence and threat situations that disrupt the working environment, revealing the best ways to reduce risk and manage emergencies. It includes case studies and hypothetical examples that show recommended practices in action and provides detailed interviewing methods that can increase the efficiency of current strategies. Helpful appendices provide sample forms for identification cards, stay-away letters, workplace behavior improvement plans for problem employees, questions for health care providers, and announcements for employees regarding security changes. An extensive bibliography points the way to other useful material on this subject. Threat Assessment: A Risk Management Approach explores: the role of the multidisciplinary threat management team corporate liaisons with law enforcement agencies cyberthreats and stalking insider threats category classification of offending behaviors Risk management is a constantly evolving field, and Threat Assessment provides you with access to the latest updates. Staying up-to-date on risk management innovations will help you increase corporate sensitivity to possible threats and provide the safest possible working environment to your employees. The authors of Threat Assessment are seasoned professionals with extensive experience in risk management. You can learn from their expertise and adapt it to your situation, improving workplace safety and contributing to security in your own community.

Revised edition of International handbook of threat assessment, [2014]