Fairfax County Police Department News

Fairfax, VA— The Fairfax County Police Department’s Organized Crime and Intelligence Bureau has launched a new unit responsible for investigating active violence incidents, bomb threats, and coordination of Emergency Substantial Risk Orders (ESRO).

The Threat Assessment and Management Unit (TAM) will utilize a proactive, collaborative, multi-disciplinary, and systematic approach to best meet the many challenges of vetting, analyzing, tracking, and preventing potential acts of targeted violence while providing intervention assistance for individuals at risk of mobilizing to violence.

This specialized team is comprised of highly skilled officers and analysts who possess a unique combination of training in law enforcement, and intelligence analysis. Their main objective is to proactively identify, evaluate, and mitigate potential threats to our community. The team is also comprised of professionals from multiple organizations in the Northern Virginia Region.

WHO ARE WE?

The TAM Unit is based on national best practices and consists of law enforcement, mental health, and community services personnel from Fairfax County and the Northern Virginia region. By creating and standing up a trained local and regional threat assessment and management team that works together regularly, we will be able to more appropriately and quickly address concerning behaviors to divert individuals to receive services and get them off the pathway to violence.

While it is important for law enforcement to be involved to ensure a comprehensive and inclusive approach – and to intervene if the threat escalates – partnerships with multidisciplinary partners are crucial, as the primary goal of this approach is to provide individuals with support services before the threat rises to a level requiring law enforcement intervention.

WHAT DO WE DO?

The goal is to interdict and deter subjects on the pathway to targeted violence and provide appropriate resources to the subject. The TAM Unit will conduct assessments based on an appraisal of observed (or reasonably observable) behaviors to identify potentially dangerous or violent situations, investigate/assess them, and ultimately mitigate them. The overall goal will be to ensure the safety of all involved, while respecting individual privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties.

The Threat Assessment and Management (TAM) Unit employs a multifaceted approach to assess various types of threats, ranging from individuals displaying concerning behaviors to organized criminal activities. By leveraging their expertise and utilizing advanced technology, they conduct thorough investigations, analyze patterns, and assess potential risks to determine the most appropriate course of action. This unit actively collaborates with other law enforcement agencies, mental health professionals, and community partners to gather comprehensive information and develop proactive strategies to address emerging threats effectively. Through their diligent efforts, the TAM plays a crucial role in preventing potential incidents, promoting community trust, and fostering a secure environment for all.

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