Department Responsibilities

Each Department shall enforce the provisions of this policy and take proactive measures in response to workplace violence issues.

Supervisors and managers are responsible for ensuring a safe working environment for all staff. Departmental WVPPs must address specific actions their respective supervisors and managers must take upon receiving notification from staff of an incident, which at a minimum must include notifying the Crisis management Team (CMT).

Crisis Management Team (CMT)

Each Department is responsible for establishing a CMT to ensure Departmental compliance with this policy, including ensuring all workplace violence incidents are reviewed and investigated promptly.  The name(s) and title(s) of Departmental staff serving on the CMT must be clearly identified on the Department's WVPP and provided to DPS. Only CMT members will be given access to the online Update Workplace Violence Incident Log Form.

A CMT Coordinator shall be assigned as the primary contact for all workplace violence related activities at each Department. Departments shall inform DPS of the name of the Team Coordinator of their CMT upon any changes.

The CMT is responsible for ensuring all Departmental employees are compliant with the training mandates of this policy and ensuring that Department-specific training for workplace violence prevention is offered when needed.

The CMT Coordinator shall work with DPS and the Sheriff's Office in the event of an investigation, as needed.  DPS and the Sheriff's Office are available to provide assistance as needed.  

The CMT is responsible for investigating all Workplace Violence Types 1, 2, and 4 incidents. DPS reviews all Type 3 incidents and may assign the Department to investigate, when appropriate.

If Departments lack the resources to investigate an incident, DPS is available to provide assistance.

Departments are encouraged to assemble CMTs consisting of more than one staff member. In instances where only one staff member is available, that member shall also serve as the CMT Coordinator.

Site-Specific WVPP

Each Department shall establish, implement, and maintain an effective WVPP, in writing, to supplement this policy. The plan shall be available and easily accessible to all employees, authorized employee representatives, DPS, and representatives of Cal/OSHA at all times. The plan shall be in effect at all times and in all work areas and be specific to the hazards and corrective measures for each work area and operation. It shall be reviewed annually and updated as needed.

Assessments

Departments shall conduct initial and on-going documented workplace security assessments, at least annually, at all of its associated worksites and hazard assessments of operations to identify security hazards and/or practices, which may contribute to the potential risk of violence in the workplace. 

Impacted employees must be notified when the Department has identified a hazard. Each Department is responsible for developing a notification process as part of their WVPP.  Known hazards must be corrected in the order of severity. Hazards that are not yet corrected must be controlled to minimize risk.

Departments shall consider employee reports and concerns about workplace violence in their annual or more frequent security assessments. 

​DPS and the Sheriff's Office Threat Management Unit (TMU) will, upon request, assist Departments with workplace security assessments.