Managing Threatening Situations

A “Threatening Situation” is defined as any incident, which, by its nature, has or may have, the potential for conflict.

First and foremost, the MTS programme is not a course in fighting. People undertaking any training through Contact are training to protect themselves and others.

Training develops awareness, confidence and conflict prevention skills. The Managing Threatening Situations (MTS) course is agency specific. The training identifies the client’s needs and develops an proportionate planned response.

Safety is the focus. A graduated response to a threatening situation ensures that personnel are proactive in recognising, de escalating and safely getting control. The alternative is having a reactive response at the crisis point of a situation.

Contact provides practical goal orientated procedures. Concepts and techniques are specific and the training programme provides detailed explanations on each.

The focus is on prevention, easy recall under stress and simplicity.
Plainly put, simple is effective.

An example of safe methods is that while dealing with an incident, staff are trained to be aware of whats going on about them as well as effectively dealing with the challenge. The planned response has the aims of limiting and controlling exposure to a threat, doing something about the threat and making sure there is no further risk in the situation.

Relevance To A Public Interactive Role

It is inappropriate to use physical force to subdue or detain an individual. Specific responses of restraint and control are used by law enforcement and persons trained as part of crisis intervention teams. They are specifically trained and, importantly, hold a legal right to employ these procedures, as required.

Individuals, on the other hand, still have the right to protect themselves from harm using a reasonable response.

The MTS programme concentrates on awareness before event. Training people to recognise behaviour and indications of intent. Intervening throughout any escalation manage the challenge is the overall goal. The use of reasonable and justified physical techniques to ensure the safety of staff and others (including the aggressor) is the last resort.

The importance of training is clear when faced with the increasing incidences of staff having to deal with potentially volatile situations while going about their normal routines. Social anomalies such as a youth gang culture and the availability of drugs and other stimulants means the potential for a threatening situation increases.

The possibility of legal action, perhaps as a result of over reaction or dis-proportionate physical techniques means more and more responsibility falls to the employer to provide the MTS level of response training.

It is fact that the correct application of MTS techniques early will profoundly reduce or eliminate the need for physical interaction.

MTS Objectives

1. Implement a safe practise system that is used as a vehicle to maximize staff safety.

2. Introduce a system that is standardised and documented with the ability to accurately assess all staff.

3. Provide effective techniques, which are easy to recall in a stress situation

4. Maximize communication skills to calm, control, manipulate or de-escalate an incident.

5. Effective body language skills to gain maximum projection and recognize behaviours in others.

6. Heighten awareness of available options to allow staff to manage all situations with a justified response.

7. Increase staff confidence in their ability to perform as an individual and team member.

8. Develop prevention concepts to allow staff to identify and evaluate circumstances in an effective, safe and controlled manner.

9. Each team member should have a universal skill level allowing staff to act with confidence and purpose, providing a safe environment for each other.

Reaching Those Objectives

1. Contact Self-defence designs and conducts a pilot course.

2. Attending staff will be able to evaluate course content.

3. Consultation as to content and amendments to course if required.

4. Clients will then be able to identify where MTS fits within their training programme.

Response strategies that result from the consultation process focus on skills that will:

v Enhance staff safety

v Ensure students in their care are safe

v Ensure the individual/s who are the instigators of an incident are safe.

The MTS Course

� Recognition of a potential threatening situation

� Adopting a non-aggressive response as a first response.

� Awareness of factors that may increase the risk of harm

� Recognition of stages of escalation and employment of strategies to contain situations at an early stage

� Use of confident projection

� Strategies to deal with more than one individual whilst maintaining situational awareness.

� Legal definition and practical understanding of relevant legislation.

� Appropriate and proportionate response to protect yourself from physical assault.

� Appropriate response to protecting yourself from assault with a weapon

� Development of an effective procedure for staff to follow in the event of incident i.e. specific staff responsibilities.

� Knowledge of procedures to follow as to reporting and follow-up post incident.

We ardently believe in the training we provide to our clients. Clients who have looked to the safety of their staff and are seeking the best training available. This passion stems from a heartfelt belief that, ultimately, our training “ keeps good people safe.”

“The cost of not responding to the challenge of preparing staff for their roles far outweighs the investment in the proposed scheme.”

'Accountability starts with the effective training of personnel'.

The following agencies have successfully received and continue to receive Managing Threatening Situations training:

The Department of Corrections
Community Probation and Psychological Services
(Northern region/Central region/ Southern region)

Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries
(Quarantine Inspection/ Dog Detection Unit)

Whakatane City Council
(Parking/Parks and Animal Control Officers)

Tauranga City Council
(Animal Control Officers)

Papakura Activity Centre
(Alternative Education Staff)

Matrix Security Group Ltd.