If you believe there is a threat or a danger to the campus or an individual please immediately contact the Virginia Western Campus Police Department at 540-857-7979 or dial 911.
Our Core Mission
The mission of the Virginia Western Threat Assessment Team is to determine if an individual(s) pose, or may reasonably pose, a threat of violence to self, others, or the Virginia Western community and to intervene to avert the threat and maintain the safety of the situation. The team responds to behaviors exhibited by students, employees, visitors, and non-affiliated persons prior to a critical incident, in an attempt to prevent violence so that the Virginia Western owned and controlled campus’ remain a safe and secure working and learning environment.
Who We Are
We are a multi-disciplinary team that operates in accordance with the Virginia Code 23.1-805.
The core membership of the Threat Assessment/CARE Team:
Craig Harris, Chief of Police
College Services Building – Rm CSB101
3054 Colonial Ave., SW
540-857-7797 Email: charris@virginiawestern.edu
https://www.virginiawestern.edu/police
Bernadette “Bern” Battle, Vice President of Student Affairs
Chapman Hall – Rm C102A
3094 Colonial Ave., SW
540-857-6572 Email: bbattle@virginiawestern.edu
Kimberly Stafford, Behavioral Health and Wellness Advocate
Student Life Center – Rm S207
3096 Colonial Ave., SW
540-857-6711 Email: kstafford@virginiawestern.edu
https://www.virginiawestern.edu/intervention
Jennifer Pittman, Associate Vice President of Human Resources
Fishburn Hall – Rm F03F
3093 Colonial Ave., SW
540-857-6807 Email: jpittman@virginiawestern.edu
Kirk. O. Hubbard, Police Officer
College Services Building – Rm CSB100
3054 Colonial Ave., SW
540-857-7979 Email: khubbard@virginiawestern.edu
Hillary Holland, Disability Counselor/ADA Coordinator
Student Life Center – Rm S207
3096 Colonial Ave., SW
540-857-6488 Email: hholland@virginiawestern.edu
http://www.virginiawestern.edu/disability-services
Heather Hunter, New Student Advisor
Chapman Hall – Rm C122
3094 Colonial Ave., SW
540-857-6684 Email: hhunter@virginiawestern.edu
Additional Information
What is the Threat Assessment Team (TAT)?
For over a decade Virginia Western Community College has had in place a dedicated team of individuals who seek out and act upon information that may indicate a risk of violence, disruption to the community, and/or identifying individuals in need of services. It is of utmost importance that every situation revealed to the team be assessed in full context, with the known facts.
We ask that anyone who hears of, or suspects, a potential danger or risk to the campus or a campus individual – please contact a member of the Threat Assessment Team. You may also alert a Virginia Western staff or faculty member who will then notify the Threat Assessment Team.
Maintain Awareness and Help Us Out
There are many behaviors and circumstances that may indicate an increasing risk for violence, significant disruption to others, or suggest a person is in need of assistance. The significance of any one behavior or circumstance is often difficult to determine. Therefore, the threat assessment process is designed to review the situation in context of all of the facts that can be known.
How we Operate
The Threat Team is ready at a moment’s notice to come together and evaluate often dynamic situations. For imminent or evolving safety related incidents the Campus Police Department takes the lead in managing the process. This team is not explicitly student focused, we are community facing with a broad commitment to safety. We therefore look for evolving issues of concern that may develop from; visitors, employees, students and those with a potential campus linkage or nexus. The team will reach out for resources as needed that will assist in mitigating the problem. This team can expand and contract based upon the specific situational need.
What if the issue doesn’t quite rise to a “threat” in your mind?
The Threat Assessment Team has the capacity and skills to handle issues that fall short of an active threat or danger to the campus. The team meets regularly as the Campus Assessment Response & Evaluation Team (CARE Team). This team operates as a support and intervention team that handles a very broad range of campus issues from; general behavioral matters to students needing some type of assistance toward success. If you have doubts about whether to call or not? CALL, and let us decide how to proceed.
Warning Signs to Look For
People who might progress into disruptive or violent behavior may display the following indicators.
- Attempts to harm or kill self
- Unexplained increases in absenteeism
- Decreased performance in work or academics
- Resistance to change or reasonable limits
- Over-reaction to changes in policies/procedures
- Extreme or sudden changes in behaviors
- Numerous conflicts with others
- Difficulty learning from past behaviors or experiences
- Displays paranoia or distrust
- Alienates others or isolates self from others
- Makes statements indicating approval of use of violence to resolve a problem
- Identifies with or idolizes persons who have engaged in violence toward others.
Characteristics of persons who may become vulnerable as targets of violence or victims of harassment
- Unclear or inconsistent expectations
- Consistency of travel/movement/patterns
- Denial in the face of a clear threat posed
- Passive orientation to safety
- Ease of access
Look for precipitating events that may trigger reactions
All of the below items are mere examples of behaviors and circumstances that may present as indicators of developing concerns. These examples are meant to help you identify potential concerns during your daily interactions with others. These examples are NOT all-inclusive and this information is not intended to be used as a checklist.
- Losses (such as):
- Job
- Income (including Financial Aid)
- Status
- Significant other/relationship
- Perceived rejection or injustice
- Ostracized by others
- Bullying/Harassment
- Health problems (e.g., head injuries)
Concerning Behavior Referral Form
Complete a Concerning Behavior Referral Form to alert the Threat Assessment/Care Team of students you would like us to follow-up or for the team to be made aware.
- Campus Police Home
- About the Department
- Mission Statement/Code of Ethics
- Annual Clery Security Report
- Campus Security Authority (CSA)
- Threat Assessment/CARE Team
- Crisis Management
- Risk Management
- Safety Tips
- Health Safety
- Parking
- Workplace Violence & Weapons
- Sex Offenders
- Resources
- Feedback/Inquiries/Anonymous Report
Contact Us
College Services Building
540-857-7979
Mailing Address:
3054 Colonial Ave., SW
Roanoke, VA 24015
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