Workplace Violence

WORKPLACE VIOLENCE:

A FORCE OF OVERALL CONCERN

Adell Newman-Lee

Criminology-CJ102-D04

December 3, 2003

THESIS: WORKPLACE AS IT RELATES TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE

I INTRODUCTION:

• Crime and violence

• Workplace violence a major concern

• The three entities involved

II STATISTICS

• The Bureau of Justice Statistics

• Statistics from 1992 to 1996

• National Crime Victimization Survey and The Bureau of Labor Statistic

III WORKPLACE VIOLENCE A LAW ENFORCEMENT ISSUE

• Responsibility of Law Enforcement

• The impact and ramification

• The direction of Law Enforcement

IV WORKPLACE VIOLENCE A CORRECTIONAL ISSUE

• Correctional facilities a breathing ground for violence

• Domestic violence to workplace violence

• Introduction of a new program

V WORKPLACE VIOLENCE A PRIVATE SECURITY ISSUE

• The direction of Professional security

• The scope of Professional security

• The challenge of Professional security

INTRODUCTION

Initially, when we consider crime and violence the average American may envision or think of the inner city streets, area populated by “lower class status”, and poor neighborhoods. They may even think of sub cultural conflict, or conflict overseas. Then when asked what causes violence, the average American may consider poverty, racial disparity, ineffective families, substance abuse, and the list goes on. In most cases the average American maybe right, in their estimate of crime and violence.

However, we tend to avoid or exclude the issue of crime and violence in the workplace. Workplace violence has become an issue that should be well thought-out, as a major concern or problem, and a contributing force to the overall violence. The textbook explains that, “The latest available data show that each year more than 2 million U.S. residents become victims of violent crimes while they work.” (Text P. 355) In the last several years the rate and severity of workplace violence has increased or escalated. Violence crimes in the workplace ranges from rape, robbery, and assaults, to murder.

The textbook also points-out that, “Workplace violence is now considered the third leading cause of occupational injury or death.” (Text P. 354)

These issues has brought attention to Law Enforcement agencies, Correctional Institutions, Private Security Companies, Political organizations, and advocates of workplace violence detection, intervention, prevention, and protection. Nevertheless, the most pervasive and recognizable entities are Law Enforcement, Corrections, and Private Security. These three different but related communities are frequently challenged by workplace violence. This paper shall discuss these three area that workplace violence has influenced, and some of the measure taken to minimize or eliminate the impact. To establish a premise or genesis of workplace violence, one must result to statistics for reference and guidance.

STATISTICS

As discussed in the introduction, the concerns of workplace violence has brought attention to Law Enforcement agencies, Correctional Institutions, Private Security Companies, Political organizations, and advocates of workplace violence detection, intervention, prevention, and protection. Statistics has emerged from several different sources and entities, to reflect the who, what, when, where, how, and why of workplace violence. The most prominent sources of information are from the Bureau of Justice Statistics Home website: www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs. Below is a partial listing and example of workplace violence statistics.

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE-FROM 1992 TO 1996

“WASHINGTON, D.C. -- About 2 million people a year were victims of violent crime or threatened violent crime in the workplace from 1992 through1996, the Justice Department's Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) announced today. An estimated

1.5 million of such incidents (75 percent) were simple assaults. Of the occupations examined, law enforcement officers, corrections officers and taxicab drivers were victimized at the highest rates.” (www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs.pub/wv96.pr)

“The estimated annual victimizations for the years 1992 through 1996 for workplace crimes counted in BJS's National Crime Victimization Survey and by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) were as follows”:

Simple assaults 1.5 million

Aggravated assaults 396,000

Robberies 84,000

Rapes and sexual assaults 51,000

Homicides 1,000

(www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs.pub/wv96.pr)

This information may establish the necessary groundwork and directions for the trends of workplace violence. And depending on the location, nature, and scope of the workplace violence, parties of concern can develop means to cope with, reduce, or eliminate workplace violence. It is also worthy to note, that the entities involved will determine the extent of any programs developed to combat the matter. For example, law enforcement agencies with reliable and extensive resources may develop