North Shore ASIS Chapter and Center for Aggression Management

present:

Preventing Workplace Violence Before It Happens: A Scientific Approach

Presenter: John D. Byrnes, D.Hum – Founder & CEO, Center for Aggression Management, Inc.

Abstract:

Most workplace violence programs are reactive—engaging only after aggression has surfaced or violence has occurred. This presentation introduces a transformative and scientifically reliable solution that enables true prevention. You will be exposed to a breakthrough system that literally no one else has: the Critical Aggression Prevention System (CAPS).

This may seem absurd on its face, but you will learn how to identify early-stage aggressive behavior before it escalates into harassment, abuse, bullying, discrimination, or violence. CAPS operates in real time using human-based, observable indicators—without relying on psychological assessments or confidential health data—making it fully compliant with HIPAA, FERPA, and the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Participants will also discover why commonly accepted approaches—such as “See Something, Say Something,” mental health evaluations, profiling, and stressor-based models—consistently fail to prevent workplace violence. Instead, you’ll gain practical, proactive tools based on the measurement of Primal (adrenaline-driven) and Cognitive (intent-driven) aggression, including CAPS’ proprietary Meter of Emerging Aggression.

CAPS equips HR and security professionals with what they’ve always needed but never had: a legally sound, actionable method for identifying individuals on the path to violence—before harm occurs.

Learning Objectives:

Participants will leave with the ability to:

1. Recognize the limitations of conventional workplace violence strategies such as:

   • “See Something, Say Something”
   • Mental health assessments
   • Profiling
   • Stressor-based models

2. Understand how to identify someone on the path to violence, through:

   • The role of observable aggression as the core of all violence
   • The distinction between Primal and Cognitive aggression
   • Application of the Meter of Emerging Aggression in real-world scenarios

Biography:

John D. Byrnes, D.Hum, is a nationally recognized leader in workplace violence prevention and the founder of the Center for Aggression Management, established in 1993. Dr. Byrnes developed the Critical Aggression Prevention System (CAPS), the first scientifically reliable method to prevent violence by identifying the earliest observable precursors to aggression.

He has trained professionals in corporate, government, healthcare, and educational sectors. His clients include the U.S. Army Insider Threat Hub, Honeywell, Lockheed Martin, AdventHealth, Baptist Health, Columbia University, and numerous law enforcement agencies and school districts. He has spoken at ASIS International and its regional chapters, including Columbus and Cincinnati.

Dr. Byrnes is the author of four books:

• Before Conflict: Preventing Aggressive Behavior
• Bridging Political Divides
• Safe Schools Safe Futures
• A Blueprint for Workplace Violence Prevention

His work has been featured in USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, Chicago Tribune, Risk Management Magazine (RIMS), SHRM’s HR Magazine, Safety+Health, CNN.com, CBS News Radio, and Reuters.

Through CAPS, Dr. Byrnes provides HR and security professionals with the tools to move beyond reaction—to reliably prevent violence, protect people, and foster safer, more respectful workplaces.

Website: https://www.aggressionmanagement.com/

Clients: https://www.aggressionmanagement.com/client_list.php

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aggressionmanagement/