weapons on campus/hostile threats

A hostile threat (intruder) on the grounds of the university is a serious matter, which requires a direct police response. This response would include making every effort to locate, identify, and neutralize the threat. The police intervention would also include obtaining information from the individual reporting the incident and could include preventative measures, such as shelter in place, finding cover and concealment and/or evacuation efforts to prevent further injuries.  

Individual and Group Safety Information

When a hostile threat/weapon on campus incident involves a suspect(s) actively causing death or serious physical injury or threatening imminent death or injury, the following actions are recommended:

• Run away from the threat if you can.
• Do not run in a straight line.
• Contact the University Police Department by dialing 911.
• Keep vehicles, bushes, trees and anything that could possibly block your view from the hostile person(s) while you are running.
• If you can get away from the immediate area of danger, summon help and warn others.
• If you decide to hide, take into consideration the area in which you are hiding. Will I be found here? Is this a good spot to remain hidden?
• If the person(s) is causing death or serious physical injury to others and you are unable to run or hide you may choose to play dead if other victims are around you.
• The last option you have if caught in an open area outside may be to fight back. This is dangerous, but depending upon your situation, this could be your last option.
• If you are caught by the intruder and you are not going to fight back, do not look the intruder into the eyes and obey all commands. Do not appear to pose a challenge -- be submissive.
• Once the police arrive, obey all commands. This is done for safety reasons and once circumstances are evaluated by the police, they will give you further instructions.
• Notify the program manager responsible for animal safety precautions within any animal-based university research labs. The program manager is responsible for ensuring the continuity of this research and academic programming.

Hostile Threat in a Residence Hall:

When a hostile person(s) is actively causing deadly harm or poses an imminent threat to cause deadly harm within a residence hall, the following actions are recommended to be implemented:

• Lock yourself in your room.
• If communication is available, call 911.
• If away from your room, join others in a room that can be locked.
• Do not stay in an open hall.
• Do not sound the fire alarm. A fire alarm would signal the occupants in the rooms to evacuate the building and thus place them in potential harm as they attempt to exit.
• Barricade yourself in your room with desks, beds, or anything you can push against the door.
• Lock your windows and close the blinds or curtains.
• Stay away from windows.
• Turn all lights and audio equipment off.
• Try to stay calm and be quiet as possible.
• If you are caught in an open area such as a hallway or a lounge area, you must decide what you are going to do. This is a very crucial time and can possibly mean life or death depending on your actions.

Hostile Intruder in a Non-Residence Hall Building:

When a hostile person(s) is actively causing death or serious bodily injury or threat of imminent death or serious bodily injury the following actions are recommended:

• Faculty should immediately lock the students and themselves in the classroom if possible. Cover any windows or openings that have a direct line of sight into the hallway.
• If communication is available, call 911.
• Do not sound the fire alarm. A fire alarm would signal occupants to evacuate the building and thus place them in potential harm as they attempt to exit.
• Lock the windows and close the blinds or curtains.
• Stay away from the windows.
• Turn off lights and all audio equipment.
• Try to remain calm as possible.
• Keep everyone together.
• Keep classrooms secure until police arrive and give you directions.
• If you are not in a classroom, try to get to a classroom or an office.
• Stay out of the open areas and be as quiet as possible.
• If for some reason you are caught in an open area such as a hallway or lounge, you must decide what you are going to do. This is a very crucial time and it can possibly mean life or death.

These actions cannot cover every possible situation that might occur, but this guide could reduce the number of injuries or deaths if put into action as soon as a situation develops. Time is the most important factor in the optimal management of these types of situations.

to download these instructions

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Violence in the Workplace Prevention Policy

The State of Connecticut has adopted a statewide zero tolerance policy for workplace violence. The Connecticut Department of Administrative Services (DAS) fully supports this policy and recognizes the right of its employees to work in a safe and secure environment that is characterized by respect and professionalism.

Prohibited Conduct

Except as may be required as a condition of employment:

• No employee shall bring into any state worksite any weapon or dangerous instrument as defined in this policy.
• No employee shall use, attempt to use, or threaten to use any such weapon or dangerous instrument in a state worksite.
• No employee shall cause or threaten to cause death or physical injury to any individual in a state worksite.

In addition, DAS prohibits:

• All conduct, either verbal or physical, that is abusive, threatening, intimidating or demeaning.

Definitions

• "Weapon" means any firearm, including a BB gun, whether loaded or unloaded, any knife (excluding a small pen or pocket knife), including a switchblade or other knife having an automatic spring release device, a stiletto, any police baton or nightstick or any martial arts weapon or electronic defense weapon.
• "Dangerous instrument" means any instrument, article or substance that, under the circumstances, is capable of causing death or serious physical injury.

Confiscation of Weapons and Dangerous Instruments

Any weapon or dangerous instrument at the worksite will be confiscated and there is no reasonable expectation of privacy with respect to such items in the workplace.

Reporting Procedure

• Emergency Situations: Any employee who believes that there is a serious threat to his/her safety or the safety of others that requires immediate attention should contact 911. The employee must also contact his/her immediate supervisor or the Human Resources Office at (860) 713-5182.
• Non-Emergency Situations: Any employee who feels subjected to or witnesses violent, threatening, harassing, or intimidating behavior in the workplace should immediately report the incident or statement to his/her supervisor or manager, the Human Resources Office, or the DAS Threat Assessment Team (860) 713-5655.
• Supervisors'/Managers' Responsibilities: Any manager or supervisor who receives a report of violent, threatening, harassing, or intimidating behavior shall immediately contact the Human Resources Office so that office many evaluate, investigate, and take appropriate action.

Investigation and Corrective Action

• DAS will promptly investigate all reports or alleged incidents of violent, threatening, harassing, or intimidating behavior.
• All employees are expected to cooperate fully in all such investigations.
• The employee suspected of violating this policy may be placed immediately on administrative leave pending the results of the investigation.
• If the claims of violent, threatening, harassing, or intimidating conduct are substantiated, the employee will be dealt with through the appropriate disciplinary process, and may be subject to discipline up to and including dismissal from state service.
• Where the situation warrants, DAS will request that the appropriate law enforcement agencies become involved in the investigation of the matter, and DAS may seek prosecution of conduct that violates the law.

Enforcement of the Policy

This policy will be prominently posted for all DAS employees.

Anne D. Gnazzo, Commissioner
Department of Administrative Services
1/16/2007