Conducting Proper Investigations for Schools
 

School Districts must be prepared to conduct prompt, thorough and uniform investigations of all complaints, accidents, and allegations of inappropriate, unprofessional or criminal behavior that is observed or alleged.   

Who should attend?  Board Members, Administrators, Principals and/or Security Personnel.

     It is imperative that each school in your district perform investigations in a uniform manner following a district policy.  Lawsuits often focus on the continuity and quality of employer investigations and the skills of those who conduct them. 

     This course explains the fundamentals of planning and conducting internal investigations. It provides essential training for supervisors assigned to conduct or assist with an investigation of a student or employee complaint, accident or allegation of law or policy violation.

• Reviewing necessary elements of district policy for all student/employee investigations.
• Why are investigations important?
  
• When must we investigate?
  
• Defining purpose and scope of investigation.
  
• Choosing an investigator.
  
• Developing a plan to answer the questions: what happened, when did it happen, where did it happen, who was involved, why did it happen and how it happened.
  
• Implementing the plan.
  
• Conducting interviews and interviewing techniques.
  
• Handling uncooperative, reluctant witnesses.
  
• Taking Written Statements.
  
• The collection and preservation of physical evidence and reconciling conflicting evidence.
  
• The final investigative report.
  

 When handled properly, the investigation can help your organization to prevent or reduce financial losses, employee morale problems and negative publicity. It can also limit the organization's exposure to costly litigation.

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CRISIS INTERVENTION for Teachers & Support Staff  

The early recognition that a potential crisis is imminent can lead to effective action and prevent or at least reduce its impact. Every day teachers, classroom aides, and administrators are called upon to intervene in crises which may become dangerous if not handled properly. 

Crises are often unexpected events.  A crisis event can be brought on by a student, parent or other family member, staff member or intruder.  Unfortunately, it is often our students that are the ones in crisis and threatening violence to other students or school staff. Homicides by adolescents increased 61 percent between 1979 and 1989, and an estimated quarter million students carry guns to school daily (American Psychological Association 1993). 

These volatile situations often turn catastrophic before for the “trained crisis team” or police arrive.

When students and staff are in immediate danger and the police or school “Crisis Team” does not have time to respond before the event becomes tragic, the staff member on the front line needs to have skills to assess, contain and diffuse the situation providing the opportunity for a safer outcome.
 
This one day course teaches school staff members:

• Understand the person in crisis
• Controlling your emotions in a crisis-“Staying Calm”
• Effective strategies to influence and communicate with the person in crisis
• Techniques to diffuse and resolve a crisis situation

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Threat Vulnerability Risk Assessment (TVRA)

Threat Vulnerability Risk Assessment (TVRA) is the 1st step in developing an effective facility security program. 

A properly conducted TVRA provides a solid defensible foundation from which to develop a physical security program at any site, facility or location. TVRA identifies the security risks an organization faces and ensures that the physical security program is designed to combat those risks. The TVRA findings provide a roadmap that can be used to refine or develop a properly integrated physical security program.

Effective security starts with clear understanding of your vulnerabilities. We can help you gauge your strengths and weaknesses in a wide variety of scenarios.

        Assess the existing security protection in terms of countering the identified security risks.

        Evaluate identified threats and establish the level of risk, the likelihood of an adverse event and its resulting impact.

        Provide gap analysis to isolate areas where your security program does not meet industry best practices.

        Recommend risk control strategies to mitigate identified security risks to an acceptable level at an acceptable cost.

Our experience and comprehensive approach delivers optimum results for our clients.

A TVRA includes at least a one visit depending on size of facility with a physical assessment of buildings on property (arrival and departure of students in also done).  Interviews with staff including grounds/plant supervisor.  Each building receives a written proposal and recommendations with a timetable and priorities.  Also included is a meeting with staff to review recommendations.  

Request a quote.  

Plan & Prepare - Securing Your School District Against Modern Threats

This course will train you to assess and address immediate risks and gaps in security, to train staff, students and parents, and to plan short and long term security projects.

Who should attend?  Board Members, Administrators, Principals and/or Security Personnel. The class will review the latest NJ School Security Task Force Report and how to incorporate the newest safety procedures and protocols into their district. 

The comprehensive day will include segments on:

• Protecting your buildings, Threat Vulnerability Risk Assessments, assessing latest safety equipment
• Evaluating Active Shooter Drill
  

                 1.  Finding inconsistencies and unifying district procedures

                 2.  Deadly mistakes to avoid

                 3.  Coordinating with local police

• Developing a Threat Matrix and appropriate responses

                 1.  Profiling potentially dangerous students
                 2. Internal VS. External Threats

• Creating a Threat Review Team
• Planning evacuation and reunification drills
• Writing Policies on emergency responses
• Liability management and training documentation
• Identifying transportation security risks and evaluating transportation drills and procedures
  

Day will end with table top discussions on potential security issues and threats.  

Planning the Active Shooter Drill

This course is taught to the law enforcement officer.  However, our instructors offer information to school officials attending this course on school's participation along with tips on how to prepare students, teachers and parents on conducting active shooter drills within the school.

The main focus of this program is to train the trainer.                                                  

• The course focuses on training techniques:            

• use of Method of Instruction practices

• student evaluation and documentation

• coordinating with different agencies at varying levels of drill events

• highlighting areas of concern of various host locations

• scenario development to cover a broad range of settings

• developing cross training protocols to alleviate budget concerns

• simulation drill options

• ​newest bomb threat procedures
  

• newest safety equipment and products presented along with overview of physical plant security

• PowerPoint training program disc provided to each student