New handbook helps prevent the tragedy of campus violence

Nov 18 2008

A guide to help colleges and universities prevent the tragedy of campus violence has been released by a team of leading experts.

"The Handbook for Campus Threat Assessment and Management Teams," by Gene Deisinger, Ph.D., Marisa Randazzo, Ph.D., Daniel O'Neill and Jenna Savage, is the first book of its kind to provide step-by-step instruction on how to assess threats on campus.

The book was launched last night at a U.S. Department of Education conference, by Applied Risk Management, LLC, a global risk management and security engineering firm.

"People often see clues to violence before harm occurs," says author Dr. Randazzo. "The key is to make sure faculty, staff, law enforcement, students and parents know what to do if they see concerning behavior."

The Handbook presents guiding principles and key practices of campus threat assessment and management. It details how to create a threat assessment team, identify students or employees who have raised some concern, determine whether those individuals pose an actual threat, and intervene to stop potential violence.

The Handbook details team composition and operations, and identifies a broad range of case management options to prevent harm and get help to persons in need. It describes how to maintain records and how information can be shared while remaining within the boundaries of privacy and confidentiality laws.

Finally, the Handbook provides useful checklists, reference guides and sample policies, procedures and forms.

The two primary authors, Dr. Deisinger and Dr. Randazzo, are experts in threat assessment who have nearly thirty years of combined experience investigating, assessing, and managing potentially violent behavior.

Dr. Deisinger has served as the primary threat manager for Iowa State University since 1994. Bringing a unique perspective as both a peace officer and a clinical psychologist, he regularly provides consultation and training to schools, college and university campuses, and government agencies.

Dr. Randazzo was formerly the Chief Research Psychologist for the U.S. Secret Service and now runs Threat Assessment Resources International. She has trained more than 10,000 professionals in education, corporations, law enforcement agencies, and the intelligence community around the world.

The Handbook is $48 for with discounts available for multiple copies at http://www.arm-security.com/