1. Provide employees with the opportunity to review procedures and policies.

2. Provide opportunity for employees to ask questions related to policies and procedures.

3. Allow for discussion as to why such policies and procedures are in place.

4. Assist employees in seeing that policies and procedures exist for the benefit of all.

Available Resources:

• Workplace and Personal Security for Court Support Personnel Webcast. This seminar is designed to offer court support personnel information on how to minimize opportunities for incidents in your courthouse facility and on security measures and practices designed to enhance the safety of you and the public in your court.

• De-Escalating Volatile Situations Webcast. The potential for security incidents to occur in a courthouse is an ongoing concern. Typical incidents such as aggressive complaints, insults, provocation, yelling, and attempting to coerce a court employee are usually redirected by experienced personnel so that the incident does not escalate. A familiarity with responses that are designed to de-escalate an incident before it develops into a real danger is one tool court support personnel may use to guide an incident away from becoming a violent interaction.

• Michigan Supreme Court Security Standards. This emergency manual sets forth the model procedures and responsibilities for responding to certain emergencies concerning the courthouse and its occupants.

• "Michigan Court Rules". This web-based training program explains how the court rules guide court actions, promote order, fairness and access to justice.

• Case File Management Standards Webcast. This seminar has been designed to review the Casefile Management Standards for active and inactive files, including the revised General Records Retention and Disposal Schedule #16. TCS management analysts will discuss minimum file and Register of Actions requirements; the use of stamps and the court seal; case files and documents maintained separately; copies, including certified and true copies; consolidation of cases; access to records; group files; and many other topics.

• Record Retention and Destruction Schedule Webcast. This seminar has been designed to review the revised General Records Retention and Disposal Schedule #16, as it applies generally to all courts and specifically to circuit, district, family division, and probate courts.

• Trial Court Policies and Procedures Manuals are listed on the Supreme Court website. Some are available on-line and can be printed. Others will be listed along with ordering information.

• An Overview of Jury Duty in Michigan (brochure) explains why we have a jury system, how jurors are selected, and what a juror can expect when selected.

Best Practices

• Scavenger Hunt. Trainers in the 3rd Circuit Court use a Scavenger Hunt activity which engages employees to look through the employees manual / handbook to find the answers. Develop questions around the manual (3rd Circuit has 60 questions!), write EACH question on a 5x7 index card, and distribute 5-7 cards to each employee. These cards (questions) are the specific questions that employee researches in the manual. ALL questions are listed on a worksheet which is copied and distributed to all. The worksheet is where each individual writes their answers as well as the answers shared by employees who researched the other questions. Give 30 minutes to research and allow 20 minutes to read question card and answers. Make the mundane fun!

• Crossword Puzzles. Building on the idea above, you could make the questions "fill-in-the-blank" OR create a crossword puzzle using www.puzzlemaker.com (You key in the words and this sight creates the puzzle).

• Human Resources person reviews; trainees sign acknowledgment receipt of policies and procedures (received, read, understand and had opportunity to ask questions)

• Review current emergency procedures with all employees on a regular basis.

• Review current jury procedures related to emergencies.

• Have Court Security Director talk to new employees about emergency procedures and precautions for safety.

• ID Badges. Utilize court identification badges and explain purpose and importance to everyone's well-being.

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