Threat Assessment Policy
Danville Community College prohibits threats and acts of violence on college property, within college office facilities, at any college-sponsored event; while engaged in college business, educational, or athletic activities; and while traveling in state vehicles. Prohibited conduct includes but is not limited to:
- injuring another person physically;
- engaging in behavior that creates a reasonable fear of injury to self or another person;
- engaging in behavior that would subject a reasonable person to, and does subject another individual to, extreme emotional distress;
- possessing, brandishing, or using a weapon while on state premises by students, except where possession is a result of participation in an organized and scheduled instructional exercise for a course, or where the student is a law enforcement professional, or when the weapon is secured in the student’s vehicle;
- possessing, brandishing, or using a firearm, weapon, or other device by faculty or staff that is not required by the individual’s position while on college property or engaged in college business; or in violation of law or other college, except where the employee is a law enforcement professional, and except when the weapon is secured in the employee’s vehicle.;
- Brandishing, using, or possessing a weapon by third parties while on campus in academic or administrative buildings, or while attending a sporting, entertainment or educational event. This provision does not apply to law enforcement personnel.
- intentionally damaging property;
- threatening to injure an individual (including oneself) or to damage property;
- committing injurious acts motivated by, or related to, domestic violence or sexual harassment; and
- retaliating against any employee or student who, in good faith, reports a violation of this policy.
Consequences of Policy Violations:
- Employees violating this policy will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination and criminal prosecution using existing policies and procedures including Section 3 of the VCCS Policy Manual or DHRM Policy 1.60, Standards of Conduct. Additionally, employees who are identified as engaging in the use of threatening language or behavior may be required, as a condition of continued employment, to participate in a mental health evaluation as part of a threat assessment process and receive approval from the mental health evaluator that they are not a risk to themselves or others.
- Students violating this policy will be subject to disciplinary action, and other college policies as appropriate. Additionally, students who are identified as engaging in the use of threatening language or behavior may be required, as a condition of continued enrollment, to participate in a mental health evaluation as part of a threat assessment process and receive approval from the mental health evaluator that they are not a risk to themselves or others.
- Visitors and third parties violating this policy will be subject to applicable local, state, federal laws, and associated regulations, and may be barred from the college at the college’s discretion for violating this policy.
Behavioral Intervention - Threat Assessment/Violence Prevention Team
Danville Community shall establish a committee with responsibility for education and violence prevention on campus. The membership of this body shall include representatives from the following areas: student affairs, human resources, law enforcement, a mental health professional or counseling services representative, and others who have knowledge, professional expertise, or responsibilities that could assist the committee with completing its work. However, in all cases the membership of the committee must comply with the requirements of Virginia Code § 23-9.2:10. The committee should consult VCCS legal counsel, when necessary, through established protocols. The Threat Assessment/Violence Prevention Team at Danville Community College is dedicated to a coordinated and planned approach to the identification, prevention, assessment and management of behavioral threats to the College and the DCC learning environment.
Behavioral Intervention - Threat Assessment Team Responsibilities include:
- Establishing or utilizing existing relationships with local and state law-enforcement agencies as well as mental health agencies to ensure compliance with § 23-9.2:10 of the Code of Virginia, and expedite assessment and intervention with individuals whose behavior may present a threat to campus safety.
- Upon a preliminary determination that an individual poses a threat of violence to self or others, or exhibits significantly disruptive behavior or need for assistance, a threat assessment team may obtain criminal history record information, as provided in Virginia Code §§ 19.2-389 and 19.2-389.1, and health records, as provided in § 32.1-127.1:03.
- No member of a threat assessment team shall redisclose any criminal history record information or health information obtained pursuant to this section or otherwise use any record of an individual beyond the purpose for which such disclosure was made to the threat assessment team. Va. Code § 23-9.2:10(E).
Campus Members’ Responsibilities
It is the responsibility of faculty, staff and students to immediately report any situation that could possibly result in harm to anyone connected to the College. These reports may be submitted via email to threat@danville.edu, reported to DCC Security at 797-8533 or campus phone ext. 288533, or to any member of the Behavioral Intervention -Threat Assessment Team.
Types of Threats to Report to the Threat Assessment/Violence Prevention Team
- Expression of violence
- Anger problems
- Fascination with weapons
- Suicide threats or statements
- Bullying or Intimidation
- Severe rage
- Interest in previous shooting situations
- Violence and cruelty
- Mental health history related to dangerousness
- Unusual interest in terrorist activities and materials
Policy updated 09/2023
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