Threat assessment authority leads violence prevention workshop

By Alek Zayas-Dorchak, DailyNebraskan.com

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln hosted a “Violence Prevention Workshop” Tuesday in the Nebraska Union Auditorium.

The workshop featured Steven Albrecht, an authority on threat assessment and safety, as well as a certified Professional in Human Resources (PHR) and Certified Protection Professional (CPP). During the presentation, Albrecht jokingly referred to his CPP credentials as “Certified Paid Paranoiac,” alluding to the high degree of alertness the job demands.

“We hope to never experience such a tragedy as has befallen other schools,” said Nancy Myers, director of organization development. “However, these events do not take place in a vacuum, and we need to be prepared to deal with such events if and when they occur.”

The workshop was broken into three parts. The first section, taking place during the morning, was a two-hour presentation on using effective behavioral skills when dealing with hostile or difficult people on campus, open for all staff. The second section was an hour-and-a-half seminar on ensuring safety in the classroom and lab, specifically for faculty. The third section was a repeat of the first presentation, later in the afternoon. All three sections were also being viewed simultaneously by nine other UNL locations via Webcam.

The third session was shown to a nearly full house at the Nebraska Union Auditorium, with an audience numbering upwards of 100 people from all levels of university staff and faculty.

The presentation was relatively relaxed, considering the subject matter, which Albrecht said is one of his goals.

“I think it’s important not to scare people when I’m doing this training,” Albrecht said. “I think it’s better to do it in a relaxed environment. Plus, we tend to recall more information when we’re not being stressed.”

The two-hour presentation covered a range of important information ranging from the definition of workplace violence to the concept of safe rooms, a point emphasized throughout the seminar. In addition, the seminar touched on tips for preventing situations from escalating as well as dealing with all manner of troublesome individuals.

Albrecht is well-known internationally for his expertise in high-risk human resources issues, and he has been teaching classes on how to defuse high-tension situations for 22 years. He was an officer in the San Diego Police Department from 1984 to 1999 and has authored 15 books covering workplace violence as well as his experience with the SDPD.

His 1994 book, “Ticking Bombs: Defusing Violence in the Workplace,” was one of the first business books concerning workplace safety. The book also details Albrecht’s interview of Robert Earl Mack, a disgruntled former employee of General Dynamics who shot and killed several ex-coworkers after having been fired from his job of 25 years.

Albrecht recalled wanting to be a cop ever since an incident at a young age left a big impression on him.

“I was robbed when I was 15,” he said. “I worked at a grocery store in San Diego, and I got held up. From then on, I knew I wanted to be a cop. I wanted to be a shepherd, someone who takes care of other people.”

Albrecht concluded the workshop with a slide showcasing another event that further solidified his dedication to his job. Dan Walters, a baseball pitcher for the Padres turned police officer and Albrecht’s workout partner, was shot on duty, attempting to break up a domestic violence case. Walters miraculously survived, but as a result of his injury is now a quadriplegic. Albrecht said he uses these sorts of scenarios as a form of inspiration for both him and others who are in his line of work.

Albrecht said he would like to thank Nancy Myers for her cooperation in organizing the workshop, as well as Mario Scalora, member of the UNL Threat Assessment Team, and Owen Yardley, Chief of University Police.