This training will immediately follow the "Mapping & Analyzing Tracker and Location Data" with Melissa Flod [St. Paul PD] at the Anoka County Sheriff's Office from 3 pm to 4:30 pm - with a Happy Hour to follow!
**Space is limited and registrations are first come, first served [FREE for MACIA Members]. Please register by 10/29/2025 .**
Presenter: Jessica Kawas, Intelligence Analyst, Minneapolis Police Department Behavioral Threat Assessment Team (BTAT)
Session Summary:
This session bridges the gap between understanding what Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management (BTAM) is and knowing how to actively support it as an analyst. Rather than a general overview of BTAM principles, this training focuses on the practical, analyst-driven side of threat assessment—how to move from conceptual understanding to operational contribution.
Drawing from her work on MPD’s Behavioral Threat Assessment Team, Analyst Jessica Kawas will walk participants through the BTAT’s investigative and analytical workflow, emphasizing the analyst’s integral role in identifying, evaluating, and documenting potential threats. Attendees will gain insight into the development of MPD’s BTAT, lessons learned from real-world applications, and the partnerships that make collaborative threat assessment effective.
A highlight of the session will be an in-depth look at the MPD BTAT Subject Work-Up Tool, a resource developed to standardize information gathering and guide analysts in compiling comprehensive behavioral profiles. Expect a tangible, tool-focused walkthrough that helps you answer:
“Where do I start, what information matters, and how do I organize it effectively?”
The session concludes with an open Q&A to discuss implementation challenges, cross-jurisdictional coordination, and tips for tailoring threat assessment support within your own agency.
Key Topics Include:
- Overview of Targeted Violence & the Pathway to Violence
- MPD’s BTAT Development & Lessons Learned
- Inter-Agency Partnerships & Information Sharing
- The MPD BTAT Subject Work-Up Tool: Practical Demonstration
- Applying Analytical Thinking to Threat Assessment Cases
- Q&A and Discussion
Target Audience:
Crime and intelligence analysts, investigators, and supervisors seeking practical methods to integrate analytical support into behavioral threat assessment and management workflows.
