Campus Threat Assessment | Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services

Threat Assessment in Virginia

Over the past decade, the Commonwealth of Virginia has led the nation in efforts to implement threat assessment procedures in institutions of higher education and pre-K-12 public schools. In 2008, the Virginia General Assembly passed legislation requiring public institutions of higher education to establish threat assessment teams with the goal of preventing violence on campus by assessing behaviors and intervening with individuals who may pose a threat to campus safety. In 2013, the Virginia General Assembly enacted legislation requiring all public school divisions to establish and operate threat assessment teams in support of their schools - making Virginia the first state in the country to require such action. Most recently in 2023, the General Assembly added training mandates for institutions of higher education threat assessment team members.

With the requirement of threat assessment mandates, the General Assembly also directed the Virginia Center for School and Campus Safety (VCSCS) to study the application and implementation of threat assessment, develop model policies, procedures, and resources on threat assessment, and provide training to support institutions of higher education and pre-K-12 public schools. To satisfy these requirements, the VCSCS worked hand in hand with research partners, service providers, and subject matter experts to provide resources for schools, campuses, and law enforcement.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the training mandates?

The Code of Virginia § 23.1-805(I) mandates 8 hours of initial training and two hours of annual training thereafter for members of campus threat assessment teams. The training is required to be “conducted by the Department of Criminal Justice Services (the Department) or an independent entity approved by the Department.”

As initial training, DCJS will require and continue to offer the two-day foundational course in threat assessment to members of campus threat assessment teams. This training includes 10 hours of lecture instruction and a practical exercise that gives participants the opportunity to practice their acquired skills, fully meeting the requirements of the Code of Virginia § 23.1-805(I).

The Department will recognize the following for purposes of the two-hour annual refresher training:

Live in-person or live remote threat assessment training or e-learning modules approved for that purpose and offered by the Department of Criminal Justice Services.
Live in-person or live remote threat assessment training offered through the United States Secret Service, National Threat Assessment Center.
Live in-person or live remote threat assessment training offered through the Department of Homeland Security National Threat Evaluation and Reporting Program or other live in-person or live remote threat assessment training delivered by an NTER Master Trainer.
Live in-person or live remote threat assessment training offered by the Association of Threat Assessment Professionals (ATAP) or a regional chapter of ATAP.

Is there threat assessment training available?

Yes, each year VCSCS offers several training sessions on threat assessment. The training features an overview of threat assessment, details of forming and operating a threat assessment team, the identification of threats, and legal issues, among other topics. Visit the VCSCS Training Page to find trainings near you or request a session in your locality by completing the Training Request Form

What are threat assessment teams?

Higher Education

Virginia Code states that each public institution of higher educations must establish a threat assessment team that includes representatives from law enforcement, mental health professions, student affairs, human resources, and if available higher education counsel. The purpose of the team is to implement assessment, intervention, and action policies such as recognition of threatening behaviors and threat reporting mechanisms. The teams are also required to establish relationships with local and state law enforcement and mental health agencies to assist in assessment and intervention.

Pre-K-12

Per Virginia Code, all Virginia pre-k-12 public schools must be covered by a threat assessment team and each school board must adopt policies for the assessment of individuals and students whose behavior may pose a threat to the safety of the school. Each team must include persons with expertise in counseling, instruction, school administration, and law enforcement. The team should work to provide guidance to students, faculty, and staff on recognizing threatening behavior, identify members of the school community to whom threats should be reported, implement threat assessment policies and procedures, and report data on threat assessments to VCSCS. For a quick overview of threat assessment in Virginia’s pre-K-12 schools, check out the VCSCS video: An Overview of Threat Assessment Prevention.

What is threat assessment?

A threat assessment is a fact-based process emphasizing an appraisal of observed (or reasonably observable) behaviors to identify potentially dangerous or violent situations, to investigate/assess them, and to manage/address them.

The goal of threat assessment is to determine if the subject is on a pathway to violence. The overall goal of threat assessment is to ensure the safety of all involved.