What do we know about violent crime in the public sector workplace and what can be done to reduce it? Although public employees were only about 18 percent of the U.S. Labor force, they were the victims of about 30 percent of the cases of workplace violence during the yers 1987-1992. Public concern aboutoccupational violent crime (OVC) is typically a function olf media coverage, as shown by the Oklahoma City bombing, but there is great uncertainty about the level of risk that it actually poses for public workers in general and for specific accupational groups. In this article, the authors review the current state of knowledge regarding occupational violent crime in the United States and conclude that the guidance it current research needs are to be met. In addiion to better information, public employers should approach OVC using a strategy that includes prevention methods based on careful assessments of risks, emergency management techniques and systems, appropriate human resources policies, and management training and preparation. Although needed, government regulations may be difficult to implement in the current political environment. Public employers should assume leadership in the effort to prevent OVC and deal with its consequences.

Public administration review PAR

July/August 1996 volume 56 numero 4