Campus safety at P&HCC is a shared responsibility, relying on referrals from students, employees, and visitors to ensure a secure and enriching environment. P&HCC's multi-disciplinary Threat Assessment Team, formed in compliance with Virginia Code 23.1-805, includes representatives from across the campus.
The Threat Assessment Team’s mission is to assess whether an individual may pose a threat of violence to themselves, others, or the P&HCC community. The team provides guidance, recommends interventions, and promotes coordinated communication throughout the review process.
By identifying and assessing concerning behaviors from students, employees, visitors, and others, the team makes informed recommendations to help prevent incidents. Through their guidance and coordination, they support P&HCC’s commitment to maintaining a safe, secure, and productive learning environment across all campuses.
Contacting the Threat Assessment Team
If this is an emergency or involves an imminent risk, do not submit a report— call 911 or the P&HCC Police Department at 276-732-2406 immediately.
For non-emergency concerns about threatening behavior or a disturbing situation, submit a report using the button below.
If you have questions about submitting a report or an incident, email meggleston@patrickhenry.edu.
Anyone may make a referral to the Threat Assessment Team (TAT); this includes students, faculty, staff, and parents.
There are many behaviors that may cause concern for the safety and well-being of an individual, or the campus as a whole. The following is not an exhaustive list but provides examples of concerning behaviors or situations:
- Unusual or abrupt changes in behaviors or patterns;
- Extreme reaction to a loss or traumatic event;
- Preoccupation with weapons, violent events or persons who have engaged in violent acts;
- Uncharacteristically poor performance;
- References to harming others or planning a violent or destructive event;
- Evidence of depression, hopelessness, or suicidal thoughts/plans
- Inappropriate responses such as prolonged irritability, angry outbursts, or intense reactions;
- Strained interpersonal relations, isolating behaviors, or low self-esteem;
- Significant change in life circumstances such as loss of job or relationship;
Again, these are just examples of behaviors that may cause concern. If you observe or become aware of situations that cause concern for safety, consult with colleagues, supervisors or college officials and report your concerns.
Threat Assessment Team (TAT) members will review the information provided in the referral and take the appropriate action. As the reporting party, you can expect that someone will contact you about your concern to see if you have additional information. Due to the confidentiality of most cases, it is likely that only minimal information can be shared with you. But as a reporting party, you serve an important role in the monitoring of the situation because of your interaction with the subject. We would like to have you as a partner in this process to inform us of the actions of the person and, when appropriate, if a case management plan with the individual appears to be working.
The Threat Assessment Team (TAT) operates with a clear distinction from profiling or predicting behavior. It does not assume that individuals brought to its attention will exhibit violent behavior, nor does it imply that they have engaged in or will engage in criminal or improper conduct by college standards. The TAT is not a disciplinary entity; however, it coordinates with college or law enforcement authorities when there are concerns about violent or threatening behavior. Through an adaptive process, the TAT seeks to understand an individual’s motivations and capacity for violence and make recommendations to strengthen protective measures, anticipate and reduce triggering circumstances, and ensure the safety and support of those who might be affected.
We try to keep your identity private but cannot guarantee total confidentiality. The TAT, in conjunction with the P&HCC Police Department, will work with you to ensure your safety through the process.
The Threat Assessment Team at P&HCC is a collaborative group of professionals dedicated to campus safety and well-being. Together, they address concerns, ensure compliance, and support the college community.