CUPD course offers closer look at active harmer incidents

Although one’s odds of being involved in an active harmer situation are close to the chances of being struck by lightning, people who have undergone training and find themselves in the midst of such an incident have a much higher probability of survival.

The CU Boulder Police Department (CUPD) offers a series of four classes on workplace violence and active harmer response and prevention, generally held for campus departments upon request. In February, CUPD launched sessions focused specifically on active harmer response. These sessions were open to the entire campus community, a format that seemed to work well for participants.

As a result, CUPD is offering its second-level active harmer course in this open-to-the-campus-community format with two sessions at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 27. This class lasts about two and a half hours and examines in greater detail studies and statistics on workplace violence and active harmer events.

The level-two course is geared as a proactive training on how to recognize threat behaviors, report them and help prevent an incident from occurring. The group will explore common traits in the majority of these attacks, as well as clues that are found in the pre-attack behaviors of active harmers. Also, the class will review the significant resources available at CU Boulder, including a threat analysis and a mental-health professional intervention to stop a potential aggressor.

Active Harmer Level 2 builds on the first level of the class, so participants must have attended the first-level course to register. (If you haven't had a chance to take the introductory course, two sessions will be offered at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 17.)

The level-one class introduces basic response options for an imminent harm situation, reviewing basic statistical data on active harmer incidents and screening the “Shots Fired!” video as a group. After watching the video, the instructor will discuss how to react if you ever find yourself in one of these situations.

In each of the courses, every effort is made to address concerns, dispel myths and develop response options, regardless of whether an active harmer event occurs on campus or elsewhere.

If you are not able to attend one of these sessions, CUPD highly recommends watching the “Shots Fired” and “Run, Hide, Fight” videos on the CUPD website.

Advance registration is required, and your Buff OneCard will be needed for admission. Please email CUPD Training with any questions or concerns.