D4: Investigation of Violent Felony Offenses and Reports of Missing Students

Responsibility for Maintenance: Campus Safety and Security

Date of most recent changes: June 25, 2024

I. Policy Statement  

Consistent with Onondaga Community College’s commitment to maintaining a safe and secure learning environment, the College shall promptly, efficiently, and thoroughly investigate any Violent Felony Offense occurring on College owned, operated, or controlled property as well as any report of a Missing Student. Such investigations shall be coordinated with local law enforcement agencies including, but not limited to, the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office. The College shall maintain written agreements with appropriate local law enforcement agencies providing for the prompt investigation of such crimes and reports.

II. Reason for Policy  

This policy is intended to enable the College to comply with applicable provisions of the New York State Education Law and the Jeanne Clery Act as amended.

III. Applicability of the Policy  

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

IV. Related Documents  

• New York State Education Law § 6434
• New York State Penal Law § 70.02    
• Policy D8: Bias Related & Hate Crime Prevention

V. Contacts  

VI. Definitions  

VII. Procedures

Missing Students (Residential):

Onondaga Community College values student safety as a necessary component for successful learning.  Therefore, and consistent with NYS Education Law § 6434 and the Jeanne S. Clery Act, Campus Safety and Security will take the following steps after a student is reported missing:

• Conduct a preliminary investigation which may include interviews of fellow students, suitemates, confidential contacts and faculty to ascertain the student’s whereabouts or an explanation for the student’s absence from campus.
• If and/or when the preliminary investigation reveals that the student has been missing for 24 hours, Campus Safety will contact the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office pursuant to the joint Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in order to transfer the responsibility for the investigation. In consultation with local law enforcement, an official of the College will contact the student’s designated confidential contact if such is available and will contact the custodial parent or guardian of any un-emancipated student under the age of eighteen years of age. 
• Campus Safety and Security will assist the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office in any manner requested until the completion of the investigation.

Missing Students (Commuter)

• In cases where a commuter student is reported missing and their last known location is property owned or operated by Onondaga Community College, Campus Safety and Security will contact the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office pursuant to the joint Memorandum of Understanding to transfer the responsibility for the investigation.
• Campus Safety and Security will assist the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office in any manner requested until the completion of the investigation.
• In cases where any law enforcement agency is investigating the disappearance of an Onondaga Community College student from their jurisdiction, Campus Safety and Security will assist that agency in any manner requested until the completion of the investigation. 

Violent Felony Offenses & Hate Crimes:

Onondaga Community College is committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment that supports learning and community access to facilities and services. Therefore, Campus Safety and Security will aggressively pursue the prompt, efficient, and thorough investigation resolution of any violent or hate crime on College-owned, operated or controlled property. Campus Safety and Security will take the following steps after a report of a violent felony offense:

• Responding Campus Peace Officers will determine if the circumstances require immediate intervention in order to prevent further injury to victims or to insure the apprehension of offenders.
• If the offender(s) are no longer on campus and the immediate threat has ended, officers will take the appropriate measures to provide support to victims and implement established protocols for criminal investigations.
• If it is determined that the elements of the offense are consistent with any Violent Felony Crime or Hate Crime as defined under New York State Law, Campus Safety and Security will contact the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office pursuant to the joint Memorandum of Understanding in order to transfer responsibility for the investigation.
• Campus Safety and Security will assist the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office in any manner requested until the completion of the investigation.   

The College is required to file an annual report on its compliance with Education Law § 6434 with the New York State Commissioner of Education.

Approved by the OCC Board of Trustees April 3, 2006

Updated and approved by the OCC Board of Trustees June 17, 2014

Updates and approved by the OCC Board of Trustees June 25, 2024