Threat Assessment and Law Enforcement Practice

Abstract

During the past 2 decades, the problem of targeted violence has attracted attention from policymakers, law enforcement authorities, and members of the general public. Concerns over targeted violence have grown in the aftermath of high-profile violent events and the perceived institutional failures that are thought to have contributed to those events. These events and others have become the backdrops for public policies, legislation, and law enforcement programs to prevent targeted violence. The ability to meet such challenges has required a departure from traditional law enforcement practices, as well as the adoption of new paradigms, the deployment of additional resources, and the cultivation of new skill sets among police personnel. This article examines the threat assessment model and its application to specific problems facing local law enforcement agencies. The article focuses on 3 main questions: What is the threat assessment model? How might the model be applied to specific types of targeted violence? What operational demands are associated with applying the threat assessment model in law enforcement agencies?