Threat Assessment and Management

UCLA Behavioral Intervention Team

UCLA’s Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT) reviews reports of situations where a person may be at risk of harming themselves or others, or may pose a significant disruption to the campus environment. BIT serves as a multidisciplinary consultation resource to help UCLA units respond to behaviors of concern in a coordinated, informed, and timely way. (Be Well Bruin)

BIT is a multidisciplinary team with representatives that include Campus Legal Counsel, Staff & Faculty Counseling, Insurance & Risk Management, UCLA Police Department (UCPD), and Employee & Labor Relations. (chr.ucla.edu)

Mission

BIT supports a proactive, collaborative, coordinated, and fact-based approach to identifying, assessing, and managing situations that may affect the safety and well-being of the UCLA community. (Be Well Bruin)

Purpose

BIT is not a disciplinary or treatment body. Its role is to provide expertise, recommendations, coordination, and referrals to the appropriate campus partners to help manage situations involving disruptive, disturbing, or potentially threatening behavior. (Be Well Bruin)

Team Process

BIT may take steps such as:

• Receiving reports of behaviors of concern
• Conducting an initial review and gathering available information
• Consulting with relevant campus units to assess risk and identify appropriate interventions
• Providing guidance and referrals to help departments manage the situation

BIT’s work is designed to support campus safety while respecting privacy and using the least disruptive intervention appropriate to the situation. (Be Well Bruin)

Early Intervention Matters

Campus safety is strengthened when community members share concerns early. Reporting concerning behavior promptly can help UCLA respond more effectively and connect individuals to appropriate resources before situations escalate. (UCLA Administration)

Identifying Concerning Behavior

Behaviors that may warrant attention can include (not an exhaustive list):

• References to harming a person, a group, or the community
• Threats (direct or implied), intimidation, harassment, or stalking
• Statements indicating approval of violence to solve problems
• An unusual preoccupation with weapons or violent events
• Angry outbursts or unusually intense reactions that are contextually inappropriate
• Significant, unusual, or sudden changes in behavior suggesting severe distress
• Expressions of hopelessness or suicidal thoughts

If you are unsure, it is still appropriate to share what you observed—small details may help identify patterns. (Be Well Bruin)

Reporting Imminent Risk

If a violent act is threatened, imminent, in progress, or has occurred—or if there is immediate concern for someone’s safety or self-harm—call 911 immediately. UCLA policy also identifies UCPD as an emergency contact. (UCLA Admin Policies)

Reporting Concerns

If the situation is not an emergency but you are concerned about threatening, disturbing, or disruptive behavior, you can contact UCLA’s Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT):

• Phone: (310) 794-0422 (University of California)
• Email: uclabit@chr.ucla.edu (University of California)

UCLA also provides options for anonymous reporting and other reporting pathways under UCLA Policy 132 (Workplace Violence Prevention). (chr.ucla.edu)