D3: Campus Safety and Security Authority and Procedures for Reporting All Crimes

Responsibility for Policy: Campus Safety and Security

Date of most recent changes: March 28, 2016

I. Policy Statement

Campus Peace Officers employed by Campus Safety and Security have complete authority to apprehend and arrest anyone involved in illegal acts on campus and areas immediately adjacent to the campus, as well as any College operated facility. If offenses involving violations of the Student Code of Conduct occur, Campus Peace Officers will also refer the individual to the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards.

By mutual agreement with the Onondaga County Sheriff's Office, Campus Safety and Security will jointly cooperate in the investigation of any Violent Felony Offense that has occurred on campus. A Violent Felony offense is defined in Section 70.02(1) of the Penal Law of the State of New York.

By mutual agreement with the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office, Campus Safety and Security will jointly cooperate in the investigation of any Sexual Assault offense that has occurred on campus. A Sexual Assault offense is defined in Article 130.00 of the Penal Law of the State of New York.

Campus Safety and Security works closely with local, state and federal police agencies and have direct radio communication with all law enforcement agencies in Onondaga County. Additionally, Campus Safety and Security is part of the Onondaga County 911 Emergency Communications System.

Through coordination with local law enforcement agencies, any criminal activity engaged in by students at off campus locations is monitored and recorded. This information is provided to Campus Safety and Security and to the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards.

II. Reason for Policy

This policy will facilitate the College’s compliance with Education Law § 6430 and is intended to protect the safety of all members of the college community.

III. Applicability of the Policy

All members of the College community should be familiar with this policy.

IV. Related Documents

• New York Education Law Section 6430

V. Contacts

VI. Procedures

Employees, students and community members are encouraged to report all crimes and public safety related incidents to Campus Safety and Security in a timely manner. College officials with significant responsibility for student and campus activities including, but not limited to, student housing, student discipline and campus judicial proceedings are required to report all crimes to Campus Safety and Security.

To report a crime or emergency that is occurring or has occurred on campus call Campus Safety and Security at (315) 498-2311. To report incidents of a non-emergency nature call Campus Safety and Security at (315) 498-2478.

Campus Safety and Security Information Aides are available at these respective telephone numbers 24 hours a day to answer your call. In response to a call, Campus Peace Officers will take the required action in order to facilitate an investigation into the matter.

In cases where there is an allegation of criminal conduct or violations of the Student Conduct and Disciplinary Policy, Campus Safety and Security will forward copies of the report to Student  Engagement and Learning Support for review and potential action by the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards. Additional information discovered during further investigation will also be forwarded to the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards.

Crimes must be reported to Campus Safety and Security to ensure inclusion in the annual crime statistics and to aid in providing timely warning notices to the community, when appropriate.

VII. Confidential Reporting Procedures

Victims of a crime who do not wish to pursue action within the College disciplinary system, or the criminal justice system (unless the crime is one that requires a mandated arrest with or without the cooperation of the victim), may still choose to file a confidential report.

With the individual’s permission, the Director of Campus Safety and Security, or a designee, can file a report that documents the details of the incident without revealing the victim’s identity.

The purpose of the confidential report is to comply with the individual’s wish to keep the matter confidential, while taking steps to ensure the future safety of all members of the campus community.

With such information, the College can keep accurate records of the number of incidents involving students, determine where there is a pattern of crime with regard to a particular location, method, or assailant, and alert the campus community to potential danger.

Reports filed in this manner are counted and disclosed in the annual crime statistics for the institution.

Approved by the OCC Board of Trustees April 3, 2006

Updated and approved by the OCC Board of Trustees June 1, 2010

Updated and approved by the OCC Board of Trustees May 3, 2011 

Updated and approved by the President March 28, 2016