Removing Legal Concerns: How to Eliminate the Hesitancy to Report, Assess, and Respond to Threats in the K-12 School Environment

Course Description

The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) is pleased to partner with Dr. John L. More, CEO of Response Law, LLC, to offer an opportunity to attend a one-day workshop titled Removing Legal Concerns:  How to Eliminate the Hesitancy to Report, Assess, and Respond to Threats in the K-12 School Environment.  Dr. More will provide a comprehensive look at creating and enhancing the threat management process including implementation of an active shooter early warning system.

Topics to Be Addressed

Structural Formation

• Defining the Duty of Care Under Virginia Law for Threat Recognition and Response

• Legal Challenges to the School-Law Enforcement Threat Assessment System

• Formulating a School-Police Communications Plan and Memorandum of Agreement

• Strategic Language for Threat Management Policies

Establishing a Threat Assessment Team

• Virginia Legislative Requirements

• Strategic Membership Selection

• Defined Mission Statement

• The Importance of Member Rotation

• Developing a Threat Assessment Team Code of Conduct 

Constructing a School-wide Information Sharing System

• How to Quickly and Effectively Navigate FERPA, HIPAA, and FOIA

• Information Transfer –Team to School to Police to Parents

• Threat Assessment Record Protection Under Virginia Law

• Mandated vs. Optional Reporting Under Virginia Law

Operational Considerations

• Creating a Fast-track Process for Active Threats

• Rapid Notification Procedures to Law Enforcement

• Rapid Reaction Protection Steps

• Utilizing Search and Seizure Methods to Reduce the Immediate Risk

Threat-related Legal Issues

• Security Technology and Its Role in Threat Assessment

• Hiring a Security Consultant—Legal Considerations

• Tabletop Drills for Threat Recognition, Reporting, and Response

• Educating Parents and Students on Threat Recognition

• Dealing with Employees who Pose a Potential Threat 

​Who Should Attend?

This training is being offered to individuals who are currently serving on a public K-12 school threat assessment team or the school division oversight committee. 

Partial In-service Credit

Law enforcement and school security officers will receive partial in-service credit hours for this training.

Training Time and Details

Please see individual sessions for training times. Registration begins 30 minutes prior to start time.

Travel, Lodging, and Meals

Participants are responsible for their transportation, meals, and lodging arrangements and related expenses.  

Cost and Registration

There is no registration fee to attend this training. Pre-registration is required. 

Please note that the DCJS registration system does not have the capacity to sort eligible from ineligible registrants. Therefore, anyone who registers will receive a confirmation. It is the responsibility of the DCJS assigned course director to review the roster and make a final determination on acceptance into the course. Registrants not accepted will be notified via the email address provided during registration.