Phase I Staff Safety

1. Phase I Staff Safety

2. History of Safety Training in Pennsylvania • Safety forum – State College, PA – 1993 • Bill Griffin – Start of Phase I curriculum – 1994 • John Desmedt – Start of Phase II curriculum – 1995 • Revision of Phase I curriculum – 2005 & 2009

3. Safety Questions What preparation do you do that helps you feel safe? What could your employer do to help you feel safe? What do your co-workers do that makes you feel unsafe?

4. Training Objectives: Help juvenile probation staff become safer as they perform their job duties. Increase safety knowledge and skills. Develop safety related prevention strategies. Develop safety related protocols and procedures.

5. Developing a Safety Mindset: Personal Preparation and Safety Concerns

6. Safe work day preparations begin at home! Your choice of clothing is important: • extra set of clothing in office for arrests &/or court • choose “safe flight” footwear • outerwear must allow easy access

7. UTILIZE AN EQUIPMENT CHECKLIST: Be responsible for tool reliability Routine maintenance Be responsible for proper tool storage Proper carrying display and use

8. MENTAL CONDITIONING KEY TO MENTAL/EMOTIONAL BALANCE

9. RECOGNIZE THE “TOOLS” WE CARRY WITHIN! Mental and emotional preparedness are key: Establish the right frame of mind  How others perceive us Projecting a professional presence and an appropriate air of authority

10. SAFETY AND STATE OF MIND: Psychological well-being → proper mindset Emotional balance impacts proper presence/authority

11. Color codes of awareness: White Yellow Orange Red Black

12. WAYS TO STAY OUT OF THE “BLACK ZONE” OF AWARENESS • Generally get to “black” directly from “white”…stay out of the white zone at work. •Adrenaline dump- prevent or eliminate Inoculate self before stressful situations OR •If you recognize you are in the “Black Zone” THEN…

13. TACTICAL BREATHING • Deep breaths • Inhale for 3 seconds • Hold for 3 seconds • Exhale 3 seconds • Relaxation Techniques

14. PRACTICE YOUR SKILLS • Physical skills (cuffing, take downs, etc) • Mental skills (preparedness) • Tactical skills (tactical breathing/relaxation)

15. SAFETY CAN DEPEND ON SKILLS/ABILITIES! Possible reliance on physical attributes  Physical fitness  Acknowledgement of disabilities  Recognize strengths/limitations Personal vs. Co-workers

16. CONTACT/COVER • Strengths and weaknesses for you and partner(s) • Lead P.O. (contact ) initiates business of the meeting • Cover P.O. provides backup, safety, etc.

17. STRESS (baggage) STRESS AT WORK + STRESS IN LIFE (ECONOMIC, RELATIONSHIPS, ETC) = AN EFFECT ON YOUR DECISION MAKING & JOB PERFORMANCE

18. Developing a Safety Mindset: Authority

19. Assess • Reason for contact • History of violence • Family history • Geographic location • Previous contact

20. Assess Case safety issues help determine: • Where should the contact occur (home, school, office, field)? • Should one or more co-workers be present? • Should the police be present? • Do you have the necessary equipment?

21. COMMUNICATION WITH OTHERS IS “DYNAMIC” •An officer needs to constantly adapt his level of authority (influence exerted) to meet the changing needs of the contact.

22. ALWAYS ANTICIPATE THE UNEXPECTED CONFRONTATION! • Guard against complacency •   Create “what-if” scenarios • Reevaluate the risk factors before contact • Real-time reevaluation of the present contact

23. AUTHORITY Proper probation authority refers to:  Specific type/amount of “influence” Legal authority and officer presence Psychological, physical or combination = safely controlling actions of others

24. AUTHORITY VS. INTIMIDATION  Visualize authority as a continuum Probation authority ranges from:  Authoritative – Intimidating Excessive use of Authority = Intimidation

25. PROJECTING PROPER LEVEL OF AUTHORITY:  Appearance  Attitude  Demeanor Training   Together = Officer’s Perceived Image

26. EXERCISE AUTHORITY TO ESTABLISH CONTROL positive verbals diffusing situations prevents physical altercations  non-threatening posture image we project

27. Office Environment

28. Office Safety • Is everyone trained? • Is training up to date? • Where is your office? • Do we have a secure environment?

29. Items used as weapons? • Personal items? • Access to office?

30. Is this office Unsafe?

31. Best Practices for collecting and disposing of contraband Hypodermic Needles. Paraphernalia/Drugs Weapons

32. Field Safety

33. Field Safety • Field safety requires global awareness. • Neighborhood • Transportation • Schools • Time of Day • Use common sense.

34. Turf Issues • Always be aware of the turf you are on • People act differently depending on where they are. • Always act professionally in the community or in a school.

35. Do's and Don'ts When Working in the Field • Always expect the unexpected. • Let other people know your schedule. • Be alert. • Be aware of "out of normal" conditions. • Park close to the house. • Lock your car.

36. Be friendly. • Be aware of your surroundings. • If not safe, leave. • Act assertive and confident. • Wear sensible clothing. • Avoid provocative comments.

37. Carry your keys separately. • Be aware of non-verbal warning signals. • If a situation escalates, leave and call for help.

38. Do not portray a “tough guy” image. • Do not leave valuables in your car. • Do not carry large amounts of money. • Do not turn your back on a distressed offender.

39. Working in the Field at Night •   Utilize street lighting. • Avoid congested areas. • Utilize a flashlight.

40. Non-Physical Intervention Techniques • Appear calm, relaxed and confident. • Identify yourself to people. • Keep the pitch and volume of your voice down. • Relax your muscles. • Stand to the side of the person.

41. Do not appear afraid or unsure of yourself. • Do not appear bossy or arrogant.

42. Probation Officers Should Avoid • Power struggles • Negative non-verbals • Overuse of authority • Personalizing the conflict • Pointing, touching, staring

43. Safety Equipment • Firearm • Bullet resistant vest • Portable radio or cellular telephone • Handcuffs/shackles/hobble • Extendable batons • Flashlights • O.C. (mace)

44. Tazer • Badge/Identification • Duty belt • Kevlar gloves • Caged vehicle • Latex gloves • Spit shield

45. Making a Safe and Lawful Arrest • Assume every arrest will be difficult. • Planning is most important factor. • JCMS – See Appendix 10A • Case Safety Notes • Determine appropriate manpower. • Use your safety equipment. • Search the person for contraband and weapons.

46. Avoid physical confrontations. • Don't feel you must make the arrest at all costs. • Safety of you and offender is very important. • Have the court order in your possession. • Always identify yourself.

47. Transporting Offenders • Drive safely and obey all traffic laws. • Utilize seat belts and door locks. • Keep your car free of excess debris. • Be careful of objects that could be used as weapons. • Utilize caged vehicle whenever possible. • Go directly to the detention center.

48. Personal Safety/ Liability • Keep your personal life separate from your professional life • Remember that you represent the court 24/7 • Limit personal details that are given out to clients • No personal relationships with clients

49. Limit what information is available on the Internet • Know the County’s policy on transporting and supervising the opposite sex • Be cautious of communication styles • Be smart about social networking on the Internet

50. Critical Incident Response Any situation that forces a person to face vulnerability and mortality or that potentially overwhelms their ability to cope and pushes them beyond normal ability to deal with stress.