Affiliations: Honolulu, HI, USA | School of International Relations, University of St.
Andrews, Scotland, UK
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Gary M. Farkas, Ph.D., M.B.A. 1188
Bishop Street, Suite 2602, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813, USA. Tel.: +1 808 521 2433;
Fax: +1 866 821 2433; E-mail: gary@garyfarkas.com
Abstract: Workplace violence threat assessment and management practices
represent an interdisciplinary approach to the diversion of potentially
dangerous employees and clients. This case study illustrates such an
intervention in a complex situation involving a social service agency and its
client. Following a curtailment of services and an arrest, the client developed
an escalating homicidal anger toward the agency administrator. Once a Tarasoff
warning was received, the agency contacted a security company who organized a
threat assessment and management plan involving interdisciplinary
collaboration. Information developed in the course of the assessment was
presented to prosecutors, who facilitated the client's arrest and involuntary
psychiatric commitment until he was judged to be no longer dangerous. This case
ultimately involved an integration of the services of security, law
enforcement, mental health professionals, prosecutors, the courts and the state
mental health system in leading to a successful diversion of the client from a
path of intended violence.
Keywords: Prevention, TAM, postal, Tarasoff, workplace
