Acknowledgments
Randy
In any body of work on a subject so complex as workplace safety and violence prevention, there is a great deal of passion, experience, training, and practice that germinates over a long period of time before pen ever meets paper. As such, there is a long list of people to acknowledge and thank.
First and foremost is Gavin de Becker, whose seminal work, The Gift of Fear, first lit my passion and made me realize that there were better methods to respond to threats than the ones I had previously employed. His book and his training seminars have given me a broader understanding in assessing and managing threats and have undoubtedly saved lives. My most sincere thanks go to this man. I would also like to thank Gavin de Becker’s many associates both past and present. Bob Martin, Ellen Prystajko, Gabrielle Thompson, Matt Slatoff, and Dave Falconer, who have all been generous with their time and knowledge whether in training sessions or case consultations. I am forever indebted to Gavin de Becker and his associates.
Another huge influence is Lt. Col. David Grossman. His encouragement, spirited training sessions, and insight into the threat of terrorism and personal awareness and preparation are enlightening and inspirational. His book, On Killing: The Psychological Cost of Learning to Kill in War and Society, is another “must read” for anyone interested in understanding the psychology of violence. Readers should also peruse his website, www.killology.com, to review his resources and see when he may be speaking in your area. Attending one of his seminars is time and money very well spent.
I would also like to thank Peter Bartholomew, Mike DePaola, and Carol Martinson. All were former “bosses” who encouraged my study and gave the “go ahead” for many of the training programs I attended. I should also note John Sims and Todd Sheldon, two corporate counsels who understood the methods that my partner Dan Murphy and I employed and trusted us implicitly. Special thanks goes to Beth Nuccio, who taught me the how and why of business investigations, and to my first “boss” Ron Green, who taught me that the key to being a good investigator was to treat people as you would want to be treated if you were under similar circumstances. Similar thanks go to Doug Wicklander and Dave Zulawski, who taught many of us in corporate security how to detect deception and remove the barriers that suppress the truth.
I must also acknowledge the team of associates I have worked with in the past: Tracy, Doug, Kelly, Joe D., Mike, Randy (a different Randy, not me), Dave, and Joey C., who had a continual penchant for calling me on Fridays at 4:45 p.m. with a new and complex challenge.
I would certainly be remiss if I did not also thank my business partner Dan Murphy, who coined the name of our business, Violence Prevention Strategies, LLC, and who has constantly challenged and pushed our company to continually find new ways to serve our clients and community.
Finally, I want to thank my wonderful daughters for being who they are. You are always in the back of my mind and the forefront of my heart in everything I do. I love you so very much.
Dan
Years of dealing with violence after the damage had been done did not prepare me for what I would have to learn to deal with in a corporate setting. After retiring from the New York Police Department (NYPD), I was fortunate enough to land a position with Albertson’s in Boise, Idaho. Although I thought of myself as someone who understood people, I soon learned that I had much to learn indeed about managing and assessing the threat posed by people often within my organization. I thought too much like a cop and wanted everyone arrested, thinking “that would take care of that,” so to say. My approach needed redirection, and for that I will always be grateful to Randy. He introduced me to the world of threat assessment and management. I learned so much by working with him on countless cases of threatening, stalking, and harassing behavior perpetrated by both our employees and by external persons associated with them. It was from here that I first attended the Gavin de Becker Threat Assessment and Management Academy in the hills above Los Angeles, where my thinking truly began shifting in the right direction. I credit the excellent de Becker team with helping me learn volumes about human aggression and the best methods to employ to de-escalate a situation. Among those fine people were Bob Martin, whose wisdom, friendship, and experience always amazes me; and Matt Slatoff and Ellen Prystajko, who both are among the best at what they do. Another de Becker Academy benefit was meeting retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. David Grossman, and hearing him speak about violence and killing. He is, perhaps, the most compelling speaker I have ever seen. I have devoured his books and recommend all who study human aggression to follow suit. No one looks at the subject the same way after hearing Lt. Col. Grossman speak.
I would be remiss if I did not mention some of the many incredible people with whom I had the honor of working and facing down violence daily while with the NYPD. I learned more about life and death from them than most people ever will. I want to thank Bob Metcalfe, with whom I grew up and who was my real first partner—gutsy, tough, and street-smart with a quick smile and laugh. I want to thank other 30th Precinct friends: Donny Rogers, Eddie O’Dea, Ed Connolly, and Jimmy Henry, who left us far too young and tragically—may you be at peace now Jimmy. I want to thank John Walsh with whom I handled and faced serious violence almost every night in Washington Heights in the1980s, yet we always managed to laugh. I also want to acknowledge Joe Barbato and Mike Buczek (rest in peace, Michael), who both fearlessly worked the mean streets of the Heights back in the day; Joe Gallagher with whom I would embark on a daily voyage in search of wanted fugitives for two years; Bill Walsh, my brother in arms in Brooklyn North Narcotics in the days when homicides were a daily, if not hourly occurrence in that stretch of real estate; my entire team at OCID-Al Goohs—JJ Kelly, Ray Polanco, Jimmy O’Connor, Louie B., Brigid Faenza, Keith Adkins (DEA), with whom I performed a dangerous undercover assignment in Hong Kong—all exceptional people and talented investigators. I learned so much from you all and from the Major Case Squad, Bob Sassok, who is the ultimate cop and detective who does everything the best—thank you for teaching me how to be a squad detective. Thanks to John O’Boyle, my brother from another mother and the best partner I could ever ask for. Not only is he an amazing investigator, but the most fun anyone will ever have legally is to work with him! Thanks to Tom Nerney, the quintessential NYPD Detective; if Tommy doesn’t know it, it’s not worth knowing. To Paul Helbock, Mike Hines, Pete Tartaglia, Bill Oldham, Jack Ryan, Joe Piraino, Greg White, Ruben Santiago, and countless others, thank you for teaching me how to walk, talk, think, and act like a detective. I looked up to you all and still do. To my friends and partners from the 46th Precinct, I valued your bravery and work ethic more than you can imagine; you are great cops working in a crime-infested, violent area. Rest in peace, Sergio Villanueva, formerly of the 46th Precinct, who died at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, as a Fire Department of New York member. You were a great street cop and gentle, brave soul and will always be missed. Thanks to the Bronx Gang Squad—Tommy Smith, John Bottone, and John Keeley—superb, dogged investigators. Adios OG Mack! Among the many others bearing mention and thanks are Timmy Breen, Patty Morena, Scott Curcio, Danny O’Brien, who could all make the Pope laugh during a high mass; John Asam and the entire team at TARU, true professionals; everyone at the Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) in New York, including my partner, FBI Supervisory Special Agent Dave Shafer, simply the best to work with. It was an honor Dave. To the many, many fine people who I was privileged to have worked with and shared so many incredible experiences, good and bad while with the NYPD, I say that words aren’t enough. You had my back and I had yours and that will always unite us. Thank you; remember 9-11, and our brothers and sisters who gave their lives that day.
To the people who influenced me greatly and molded me into a corporate security professional: Mike DePaola, who took me under his wing and taught me so much I can’t express it properly here; my partner, Randy Ferris without his guidance, friendship, and tutelage I would not have learned about this subject at all; Red Burke, a fellow former NYPD Detective, who made my landing at the Bank of New York a soft one, my entire team at Albertson’s SuperValu; Michael Royce, Joe Holmes, Bill Smithey, Ryan Casey and Ben Paulin, true professionals and friends; and last but not least, Carol Martinson, who seemingly made it her life’s mission to develop me in all areas so that I would become a true professional despite my cop tendencies! Thank you Carol for standing by me and believing in me through some very rough times. I will never forget your support!
I also want to thank my wonderful family without whom I am and have nothing. To my father, James, who was taken far too soon, thank you for teaching me how to be a man. I hope to see you on the other side. To my incredible mom, Kathleen (Kitty), without her loving hand I would not have made it through so much of my life. To my tremendous sister Maureen, and brother James (NYPD Detective-Sergeant Retired), your love and endless support have always given me strength. I love you both. To my beautiful children, Erin and Daniel, words fail me as I attempt to say how much you both mean to me. I will love you to the grave and beyond. You inspire me daily to be better in every way as you both are.
Last, I want to thank my beautiful wife, Angela Lyn. Your love and support has been unwavering throughout this project. Thank you for your encouragement and for reading pieces to keep me on track. It’s meant the world to me. You have my heart always.
We would both like to thank the team at Elsevier for their confidence and encouragement in the preparation of this book. Special thanks to our Editorial Project Manager Hilary Carr for answering our questions, holding our hands (telephonically), finding solutions to problems, and cutting us a break when we needed one. None of this would have been possible without their help.
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