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Threat of Violence

Active Shooter

If you witness any armed individual or shooter on campus at any time, immediately call 911 or University Police at 540-831-5500.

If you cannot get through by phone and have the Radford Safe app downloaded, you can send a real-time message to the University Police Operations Center, providing the dispatcher with the following information:

  • Your Name
  • Nature of the incident
  • Location of the incident
  • Description of person(s) involved
  • Number of persons who may be involved
  • If shots have been fired
  • Injuries to anyone, if known

Assist the officers when they arrive by supplying them with all additional information and ask others to cooperate.

Should gunfire, weapons, or explosives be involved, avoid the incident. Take cover. Leave your cover, or seek first aid for the injured only when completely safe. Call 911 or University Police at 540-831-5500.

Active Shooter Protocols

Run. Hide. Fight.

The FBI training video demonstrate the three tactics you can use to keep yourself and others safe during an active shooter attack—run, hide, and fight. Learning these principles now will prepare and empower you to put them into practice—and survive—should the unthinkable occur.

If the shooter is outside the building:

  • If it is possible to flee the area safely and avoid danger, do so. Notify anyone you may encounter to exit the area immediately. Evacuate to a safe area away from the danger and take protective cover. Stay there until assistance arrives.
  • Dial 911, or call University Police at 540-831-5500
  • Go to the nearest room or office, or core area of the building, if safe to do so.
  • Barricade doors and block windows.
  • Turn off all the lights, close blinds and close and lock all windows and doors.
  • Seek protective cover for yourself and any others (concrete walls, thick desks, filing cabinets may protect you from bullets).
  • Keep occupants calm, quiet and out of sight.
  • Silence cell phones.
  • Do not answer the door.
  • Place signs in exterior windows to identify the location of injured persons.
  • Remain where you are until an "all clear" instruction is given by an authorized known voice.
  • If faculty, staff or students do not recognize the voice that is giving instructions, they should not change their status (stay put). Unknown or unfamiliar voices may be false and designed to give false assurances.

If the shooter is inside the building:

  • If it is possible to flee the area safely and avoid danger, do so. Notify anyone you may encounter to exit the building immediately. Evacuate to a safe area away from the danger and take protective cover. Stay there until assistance arrives.
  • Dial 911, or call University Police at 540-831-5500.
  • If it is impossible for you to leave, secure yourself in your space.
  • Barricade doors and block windows.
  • Turn off all the lights, close blinds and close and lock all windows and doors.
  • Seek protective cover for yourself and any others (concrete walls, thick desks, filing cabinets may protect you from bullets).
  • Keep occupants calm, quiet and out of sight.
  • Silence cell phones.
  • Turn off radios and computer monitors.
  • Do not answer the door.
  • Place signs in exterior windows to identify the location of injured persons.
  • Remain where you are until an "all clear" instruction is given by an authorized known voice.
  • If faculty, staff or students do not recognize the voice that is giving instructions, they should not change their status (stay put). Unknown or unfamiliar voices may be false and designed to give false assurances.

If the shooter comes into your class or office:

  • There is no one procedure the authorities can recommend in this situation.
  • Attempt to get the word out to other faculty or staff, and call 911 or University Police at 540-831-5500.  If calling isn't an option, message the University Police through the Radford Safe app, if that seems practical.
  • Use common sense. If hiding or leaving the area is impossible, attempt to negotiate with the individual.
  • Attempting to overcome the individual with force is a last resort that should only be initiated in the most extreme circumstances.
  • Remember, there may be more than one active shooter.
  • In a shooting incident, the University Police are in charge until Grand Forks Police or other law enforcement personnel are on the scene.
  • Be careful not to make any changes to the scene of the incident since authorities will investigate the area later.
  • In case you must flee, do not go to the normal gathering site for your building. Get as far away from the shooting scene as possible and then contact authorities.

In the event you are taken hostage or held against your will:

  • Avoid heroism and drastic action. In all probability, your captors do not want to harm you.
  • The initial 45 minutes are the most dangerous. Don't speak to your captors unless spoken to. Avoid appearing hostile, but maintain eye contact with the captor without staring.
  • Do not expect the captor to behave rationally. Don’t do anything to aggravate your captor. Comply with instructions as best you can. Avoid speculation as to the outcome of the situation. Avoid arguments.
  • Try to rest. Try to maintain a calm, composed attitude. This will help to calm other captives and insure their safety.
  • Be alert. You may need to react quickly to changes in the situation or the efforts of the authorities to release you.
  • You will need to give descriptions of your captors. Learn all you can about them and notice as many details about their character, clothing, voice, build, etc.
  • If medications, first aid, or rest room privileges are needed by anyone, request them.

How to respond when law enforcement arrives:

Law enforcement’s purpose is to stop the active shooter as soon as possible. Officers will proceed directly to the area in which the last shots were heard.  

How to reach when law enforcement arrives:

  • Remain calm, and follow officers' instructions
  • Put down any items in your hands (i.e., bags, jackets)
  • Immediately raise hands and spread fingers
  • Keep hands visible at all times
  • Avoid making quick movements toward officers such as holding on to them for safety
  • Avoid pointing, screaming and/or yelling
  • Do not stop to ask officers for help or direction when evacuating, just proceed in the direction from which the officers are entering the premises

The first officers to arrive to the scene will not stop to help injured persons. Expect rescue teams comprised of additional officers and emergency medical personnel to follow the initial officers. These rescue teams will treat and remove any injured persons. They may also call upon able-bodied individuals to assist in removing the wounded from the premises.

Once you have reached a safe location or an assembly point, you will likely be held in that area by law enforcement until the situation is under control, and all witnesses have been identified and questioned. Do not leave until law enforcement authorities have instructed you to do so.

Bomb Threat

If you observe a suspicious object or potential bomb on campus, do not touch the object. Clear the area and immediately call 911 first then University Police at 540-831-5500.

  • For a bomb threat, immediately call 911 or University Police at 540-831-5500. Any person receiving a phone call bomb threat should obtain the following information from the caller:
    • When is the bomb going to explode?
    • Where is the bomb located?
    • What kind of bomb is it?
    • What does the bomb look like?
    • Why did you place the bomb?
  • Keep talking to the caller as long as possible and record the following:
    • Time of the call.
    • Age and sex of the caller.
    • Speech pattern, accent, possible nationality, etc.
    • Emotional state of the caller.
    • Background noise.
  • Do not activate the building alarm. Do not touch suspicious objects. Do not open cabinets, drawers, or closets. Do not turn lights or office equipment on or off.
  • Due to the special nature of a bomb threat, evacuation procedures, rally points, and gathering sites for evacuees are restricted and have not been provided.
  • When University Police arrive, follow their instructions exactly. Law enforcement personnel will conduct a detailed bomb search.

In the case of a bomb threat, only the President of the University, or designee, has the authority to evacuate a facility or part of a facility, or to enter or remain in an evacuated facility. Deans, department heads, faculty, or staff may not order evacuation or remain in or enter an evacuated facility.

Violent or Criminal Behavior

Threats may be statements of intention or expressions of strong emotion. They can be indirect or direct, verbal or nonverbal. Shaking a fist or pounding the desk, throwing things, and showing a weapon are all examples of nonverbal threats.

  • Verbal threats may be indirect expressions of frustration or anger directed toward a person or office, or they may be direct statements of the intention to harm.
  • These situations are complex, and it is not expected that individuals will be able to assess whether the threat is serious and might actually lead to harm. However, it is expected that university employees consider any threat or display of hate as potentially serious.
  • Most people who commit violent acts exhibit warning signs. It is important to take seriously any behaviors or words that imply threat and consult appropriate people to assess the risk and plan interventions.
  • Everyone is asked to assist in making the campus a safe place by being alert to suspicious situations and promptly reporting them.

If you observe a suspicious person on campus or criminal behavior occur, immediately notify University Police at 540-831-5500 and report the incident.

VIolent or Criminal Behavior Protocols

For angry or hostile customer or coworker:

  • Stay calm.
  • Listen attentively.
  • Maintain eye contact.
  • Be courteous. Be patient. Be respectful.
  • Keep the situation in your control.

If shouting, swearing and threatening continues:

  • Signal a co-worker or supervisor that you need help. (Have a prearranged code or alarm system.)
  • Do not make any calls yourself.
  • Have someone call University Police at 540-831-5500.

If you are threatened with a gun, knife or other weapon:

  • Stay calm. Quietly signal for help using an alarm or code system.
  • Maintain eye contact.
  • Stall for time.
  • Keep talking - but follow instructions from the person who has the weapon.
  • Don't risk harm to yourself or others.
  • Never try to grab the weapon.
  • Watch for a possible chance to escape to a safe area.
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