Today’s Presentation is Provided by:

The Phoenix Police Department

Detective Mark A. Potts #4959

Community Relations Bureau

SafeBiz Coordinator

Welcome

Workplace Violence & Active Shooter Scenarios:

Domestic Terrorism at its Worst

Disclaimer:

Today’s Presentation Deals with some very serious and somewhat disturbing realities of our lives.

In an effort to prepare for these types of events, we must face the reality that there are just some things out there that cannot be explained.

It is for this reason that we must prepare for the worst and hope for the best.

There will be sights and sounds that may be disturbing. I will attempt to warn you.

Sometimes, in life, you just get lucky.

…and sometimes you are unlucky.

Luck is a by-product of design.

Workplace Violence-Incidents

Workplace Violence is considered the most significant threat to American Business.

Business Wire Magazine Survey.

Workplace Violence Defined:

“Workplace violence” is physical violence or the threat of violence against workers.

Can range from threats and verbal abuse to physical assaults and homicide.

Workplace violence is a growing concern for employers and employees nationwide.

FBI Workplace Violence Classifications

TYPE 1: Violent acts by criminals, who have no other connection with the workplace, but enter to commit robbery or another crime.

TYPE 2: Violence directed at employees by customers, clients, patients, students, inmates, or any others for whom an organization provides services.

TYPE 3: Violence against coworkers, supervisors, or managers by a present or former employee.

TYPE 4: Violence committed in the workplace by someone who doesn’t work there, but has a personal relationship with an employee—an abusive spouse or domestic partner.

Historically, emphasis was on:

Late Night Convenience Store Clerks Health Care Workers Taxi Drivers Police Officers on the beat

Now, it could be anyone, and has been.

Workplace Violence-Incidents

Recent National Headlines

Gunman Shoots 4 Officers Inside Detroit Precinct

Headline: January, 23, 2011

Man Arrested in Fatal Burlington Convenience Store Shooting

Headline: January 12, 2011

Bitten, shot, spat on: Violence in hospitals common for staff Headline: September 17, 2010

Cab driver shot dead in Central Phoenix, 2 suspects on the loose

Headline: August 12, 2010

Let us look at some recent events, very close to home…

You cannot stop “crazy…”

Workplace Violence Can Happen Anywhere…

Tucson, Jonesboro,St. Louis, Columbine,

Tuscaloosa , Omaha, Paducah, Detroit,

Phoenix,

anywhere…at anytime………

“It happened at the office…” 1 in 4 women are or will be involved in DV 74% of all women in an abusive

relationship have been harassed and/or threatened at their workplace.

Easy to find them Controlling nature of abusers Know that few will intervene

20% of those women lose their jobs. Supervisors do not want to deal with it Easy way out for all levels in the company

Just how serious is this issue?

Since 1997, in the United States, we have averaged 645 workplace homicides, but the number is declining. (We believe because of programs like this one.)

Every workday, approximately 16,400 threats are made in the workplace, 723 employees are physically attacked, and 44,000 employees are harassed. (Yes, that is everyday…)

Not All Workplace Incidents are Fatal

Most Incidents are lesser cases of: Assaults Domestic Violence Stalking Threats Harassment (to Include

Sexual Harassment) Psychological and

Emotional Abuse

How do we recognize the threat?

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It is not going to be this easy…

One of the first “Postal Shootings” took place in the mid-1980s when a postal worker who was about to be dismissed walked into his postal center and systematically began shooting his fellow co-workers and supervisors. When the smoke cleared, 14 people were dead, including the gunman.

Workplace violence entered a new era.

Workplace Violence-Incidents

Workplace Violence-Incidents

Workplace Violence in the U.S. cost businesses an estimated

$70 billion each year.

Most Dangerous is Not Always the Most Common…

The greatest fear for many workers is to be in a situation where they are at risk and have the least amount of control of the outcome.

The fear of being victimized by a co-worker or stranger who “goes postal” is among the worst of those fears.

We call this situation an “active shooter scenario.”

Learning Objectives:

Define the term “active shooter”

List measures that can be employed to reduce the effectiveness of an active shooter

Describe actions that can be expectedfrom responding law enforcement

officers

The Active Shooter defined:

A suspect or assailant whose activity is

immediately causing death and serious injury.

The threat is not contained and there is

immediate risk of death and injury. Considered the greatest terrorist threat

on campuses and business centers.

Active Shooter Mentality:

Desire is to kill and seriously injure withoutconcern for his safety or threat of capture.

Normally has intended victims and will searchthem out.

Accepts targets of opportunity whilesearching for or after finding intended victims.

Will continue to move throughoutbuilding/area until stopped by lawenforcement, suicide, or other intervention.

Stages of an Active Shooter:

1. Fantasy stage 2. Planning stage 3. Preparation stage 4. Approach stage 5. Implementation stage

The next sound you hear may be your first warning…

“Hate! I’m full of hate and I love it…”

“Why? You will know my name…”

Notes from Eric Harris Diary

“It’s all about the body count…”From the journals of Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold

“You caused me to do this.“ Seung-Hui Cho

Virginia Tech Shooter

"Thanks to you I died like Jesus Christ, to inspire generations of

the weak and defenseless people."[

Virginia Tech Killer: Seung-Hui Cho

Workplace Violence-Active Shooters

More Recent WPV Shooting Incidents in the News

Ft. Hood, Texas…13 dead, 30 wounded Atlanta, Georgia…2 dead, 3 wounded St. Louis, Missouri…3 dead, 5 wounded Univ. of Alabama…3 dead, 2 wounded

How about this 3-day period last July??? Albuquerque, NM… 6 dead, 4 wounded (Monday 7/12) Augusta, Georgia…2 dead (Tuesday 7/13) Decatur, Alabama…1 injured (Wednesday 7/14)

“Going Postal”

July 29, 1999: Former day trader Mark Barton, 44, killed nine people in shootings at two Atlanta brokerage offices, then killed himself over the loss of his entire investment portfolio.

1988 February 16th. - USA, California, Sunnyvale: a 40-year-old man, angry that a former co-worker at ESL Corp. had rejected his advances, stormed into the company and killed 7 people with a shotgun before surrendering.

“Going Postal”

1994 March 14th. - USA, California, Santa Fe Springs: a 29-year-old man, recently fired from an electronics factory, shot 3 people to death before killing himself.

1997 June 5th. - USA, Santa Fe Springs: a plastics factory employee fatally shot 2 co-workers and wounded 4 others after an argument, before killing himself two hours later.

…and it continues……

1998 March 6th. - USA, Connecticut: an accountant involved in a pay dispute shot dead 4 people (the Lottery Corporation's president and three of his supervisors) before killing himself.

2000 March 8th. - USA, Tennessee, Memphis: a firefighter, on leave from the fire department because of emotional problems, killed his wife inside his home and then set the house on fire. Two firefighters and a sheriff's deputy were shot to death when they arrived on the scene. A female bystander was wounded, and the attacker himself was wounded by police.

How do these types of shootings differ?

Obviously, the environment where they occurred varies from a school campus to a business complex or plant.

Although debatable, each circumstance could have been foreseen. (clues?)

The highlights of each clip in red tells the story behind the headlines.

'Praemonitus, Praemunitus.'

Lost his entire investment portfolio angry that a former co-worker who had rejected

his advances recently fired from an electronics factory after an argument involved in a pay dispute on leave from the fire department because of

emotional problems

“Forewarned is Forearmed”

What is the worst that can happen?

Factoid:

Homicide is now the third* leading cause of all workplace deaths.

*(Fluctuates between 2nd, 3rd & 4th Falls, Striking Fixed Objects and Homicide are always behind job

related transportation fatalities)

Being observant to details is key Acting on instincts to potential danger Utilizing available reporting resources Utilizing available investigative resources Utilizing available counseling resources But most importantly, do not ignore signs

Workplace Violence-Supervisor’s Responsibilities

Recognizing the Real Signs…

Perception that Management is Poor Inadequate Pay

Discrimination-Sexual Bias, Racial, Age, etc. Retribution for Perception of Unfair Treatment

Downsizing, Layoffs, Closures Absenteeism-Excessive Sick Days Performance Changes Drastically

Voicing Problems at Home Unsolicited Comments about Violence.

Depression-Self Medicating

The last straw, for some…termination.

The Understanding has to be Clear. The Method of Delivery Precise. The Terms and Conditions Exact. The Retrieval of All Property and Access. The Payment of All Compensation. The Escort From the Premises. Referrals to Get Help.

The number of people killed in mass workplace shootings has been declining for more than a

decade, according to statistics released by the U.S. Department of Labor. Those statistics show

that the number of workplace homicides has fallen from a high of 1,080 in 1994 to 526 in 2008, a

decline of 52 percent.

Experts believe that the decline in the number of workplace homicides is the result of the increased implementation of

workplace violence prevention efforts and policies.

Latest Trends in WPV

Thanks, Detective…for painting that picture of gloom and doom…

OK…anyone scared to

come to work?

Let’s take a look at a couple of movie references that you may

be able to relate to…

Let’s Lighten it Up a Bit…

Office Space is a place to start… “Yeahhh, I am going to need to come in on

Saturday….”

I believe you have my stapler?

Co-Worker & Supervisory Recognition is the Key

Somebody is about to lose it…

censored

“I think you need a bit more “flair” on your suspenders…”

“It is funny, but…”

“Many a true word is spoken in jest."

William Shakespeare

Anyone remember how the movie ends?

How do we prepare?

Many early warning procedures have been instituted over the last ten years

to ensure work place safety and security. Many have become policy

for many of the most recognized national and international

corporations.

Dissatisfied Customers-Outsiders

Someone who threatens to come back and seek revenge.

Feels they were wronged by the business.

Someone who “drove all the way from (blank) and now my (blank) is not ready!!!!

Customer Service Training

Shots Fired!!!!Now what do we do ???

Go into “Survival Mode” It is basically, every person for themselves.

Do Not start off thinking it is a joke. Quickly Determine the Best Way to Save

Your Own Life. Customers and Clients Will be Depending

on You to Help Them. Know your Limitations. Do Not Panic.

Do We Hide Out or Do We Flee?

Do not go and look for the shooter. Hide in a room you can secure. (If you can.) Cover vs. Concealment. Use desks, chairs, file cabinets to block

the doorway. If you are secure, try to call 911 and tell

them where you are, that you are locked or secure and how many of you there are.

EVACUATE…maybe.

Have an Escape Plan Evaluate your options. Leave Your Belongings

Behind (hold on to your phone.)

Keep Your Hands Visible

If all else fails…what now? Take ACTION !!!!!! (only if you think you can.) As a last resort, and only when your life is in

imminent danger… Attempt to incapacitate the shooter. Act with physical aggression towards

the shooter. Fight back with every fiber of your

being. Use every tool available to you.

(chairs, books, scissors, coffee mug, etc…)

What to do when help arrives…

They can be “first responders” or SWAT…

What to do when help arrives…

Remain calm and listen for instructions Immediately show your open hands Keep your hands visible at all times Avoid making quick movements Avoid Pointing, Screaming, or Drawing

attention to the area you are in or going. Do not stop to talk to officers…GO!!!!

When you make it to safety…

Follow the Instructions of Emergency Personnel.

DO NOT LEAVE without telling someone. Go to a pre-determined place to be counted

by staff to make sure everyone is accounted for. (like a fire-drill)

Ask for help…counseling will be available.

If Emergency Personnel ask you…

Tell them the location of the shooter. The number of persons shooting. Clothing, Gender, Race of the shooter. Type weapon- handgun, rifle, shotgun… Number of victims you have seen. If you know people are hidden or

barricaded and their location.

Prepare for the Fallout Managers must seek help for employees

Contact professional help Contact professional “restoration” company Know the short and long term recovery

options Limit contact with the media-have a single

PIO

Remember………“This too shall pass and we will recover.”

…and remember, sometimes when you think your day couldn’t get any worse, you could be these guys:

This Concludes the Presentation…

Please feel free to ask any questions you may have.

Be Safe.

Be Aware.

Be Ready.

Thank you for your time.