CAMPUS POLICE LAW ENFORCEMENT

All Davidson College Campus Police are sworn law enforcement officers.  They derive their police powers from the State under the provision of North Carolina General Statute 74-G.  The Attorney General of North Carolina upon certification of several rigorous standards grants police commissions under this statute.  The Commission provides the individual officer with all the powers of municipal and county police officers of North Carolina

Our officers have developed and maintain extremely close working relations with area police agencies from the towns of DavidsonCornelius This is visibly evident when special traditional events are held on campus, such as commencement and homecoming, when large crowds of people participate.  Also, DCPD and DPD (Davidson Police Department) work together to reach out to the campus community and surrounding neighborhoods to combat crime with crime alerts, citizen meetings, and provision of other information.  When requested, DCPD works closely with DPD to solve pattern crimes.

CAMPUS COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING & PROBLEM SOLVING

It has become clear that police agencies alone, employing traditional law enforcement methods, cannot turn the tide of crime, violence, and drugs.  We need an approach that addresses the causes of crime, encourages community participation, and makes better use of existing resources.

The Davidson College Campus Police call this approach Campus Community Oriented Policing & Problem Solving  Some community oriented policing strategies, such as foot patrol, resemble policing of years past.  But CCOPPS is not just another “tack on” program that requires new resources.  It is a philosophy, a management style and an organizational design that promotes police-community partnerships and proactive problem-solving strategies.  It is a different way of looking at policing.

Fundamental to the community policing philosophy is the hope for a better tomorrow.  It focuses on building and sustaining healthy communities and provides a framework to examine and proactively respond to varying demographics, general social disorder, and physical decay.  It advances community-based creative and comprehensive interventions for insidious social epidemics such as violent behavior, drugs, electronic deceit, white collar, and hate crimes.  Most importantly, community policing is tough on crime; it provides a more inclusive and imaginative approach to policing, thus more effective.

The following definitions and principles were developed to bring clarity and understanding to the matter.  While community policing and problem solving applications, by nature, are deliberate, and adapted to fit the specific needs of each community, the following general principles are critical to any successful understanding of CCOPPS efforts.

DEFINITION:  Community Policing is a philosophy, management style, and organizational design that promotes proactive problem-solving and police ∞ community partnerships to address the causes of crime and fear of crime as well as other community issues.

Problem-solving refers to a process of identifying problems and priorities through coordinated community/police needs assessments; collecting and analyzing information concerning the problem in a thorough, though not so complicated, manner.  This includes developing or facilitating responses that are innovative and tailor-made with the best potential for eliminating or reducing the problem and, finally, evaluating the response to determine its effectiveness and modifying it as necessary.

Community partnership is a flexible term referring to any given combination of community residents, schools, churches, businesses, community-based organizations, and government agencies who are working cooperatively with the police to resolve identified problems that impact or concern them.

LAW ENFORCEMENT WITH OTHER AGENCIES

There have been various occasions when foreign and/or domestic dignitaries have visited Davidson College These visits generally require Campus Police to work closely with protection and security services, U.S. Marshall’s, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), U.S. Justice Department, U.S.  Locally, we partner with the town's of Davidson, Cornelius, and Huntersville police departments to enhance our service capability as well as training.

POWERS OF ARREST

Powers of arrest are limited to the properties and facilities owned and/or operated by Davidson College 

CAMPUS POLICE DEPARTMENTAL SECTIONS

DCPD is a composite of four cohesive sections: (1) Patrol Section, (2) Personnel Development and Training, (3) Investigations, and (4) Operations.  Information services and crime analysis functions are also performed by DCPD.

1.  Patrol Section

The Patrol Section provides safety and security for campus community members, visitors, and property on college grounds through the enforcement of regulations and codes appropriate to the authority of the state of North Carolina It is composed of uniformed personnel that operate on two shifts, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  The department’s enhancement of operational efficiency was effected by redefining vehicular patrol patterns and specifying the efforts of foot/bicycle patrols.  This increases uniformed visibility and serves to address specific incident occurrences in specific areas and to deter entry of undesirables seeking to commit criminal activity on campus.

2.  Personnel Development and Training

The structure and design of Personnel Development and Training is aligned with the North Carolina Training & Standards Commission.  It is implemented by certified instructors from within the Davidson College Campus Police Department in conjunction with various law enforcement agencies off campus.  The Campus Police also attend the North Carolina Justice Academy 

Staff development training is held bi-weekly.  This training is centered on vital and relevant matters such as how to approach, deal with, or handle violence in the workplace, sexual harassment, sexual abuse, crisis intervention, gay, lesbian, and transgender persons, domestic violence, criminal investigations, maximizing individual performance, and cultural diversity.  

All officers receive training in the use of quality customer service, team building, response to terrorism, and other classes from the Central Piedmont Community College Public Safety Training Center Campus Police also provide self-defense classes [i.e., Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) classes]. 

3.  Investigations

Davidson College Campus Police operate in much the same manner as most small to midsize municipal police.  All officers conduct criminal investigations; however the Chief and Assistant Chief of Campus Police are the primary investigators of serious crimes.  They work closely with DPD detectives and a variety of other law enforcement agencies.

In addition to investigating criminal matters, Campus Police also assist in administrative and other internal investigations involving students, staff, and faculty.  Priority is given to cases requiring follow-up investigations based upon the seriousness of the alleged offense and solvability factors.

 All Campus Police offense and incident reports are entered into an automated records management system (PISTOL).  Administrators monitor crime trends and patterns involving the campus community and distribute alert bulletins to department personnel and the campus community as a whole.  These bulletins are posted throughout the campus and are sent via email to all Davidson College

We strive to make the Davidson College campus community a safe one through identifying and arresting criminal offenders in a timely fashion and by keeping the campus community informed of criminal activity on a regular basis.

 4.  Operations

Operations provides vital support and administrative services for the Campus Police Department.  Some of these services include development of an assortment of measurements and effecting processes.  For example; customer satisfaction surveys; personnel and employment conditions, such as, hiring, special leaves, promotions, transfers, and workers’ compensation.  Promptly processing time, addressing attendance issues; providing various supplies, services, and installation of equipment.  Developing, monitoring, tracking, and maintaining administrative reports, records, and related files.  Overseeing the development of crime prevention tips that are distributed to the student and employee community; participating and contributing in the development of various management projects such as the College’s Emergency Operations Plan, and effecting, developing and implementing programs and awards to employees for recognition of outstanding service.

COMMUNICATION DISPATCH SERVICES

The North Mecklenburg Communications Center 21440 Catawba Avenue, Cornelius, NC 28031.  This Center receives incoming calls for police service, emergency calls for assistance, opening and closing of buildings, alarms of security breach, radio communications and dispatch functions.  Over 8200 calls for campus police assistance were fielded through the communications center during 2005.

Policy Concerning Reporting Criminal Actions or Emergencies

The Campus Police are dispatched immediately when a report of a crime or incident is received.  Officers prepare and submit reports after interviewing complainants, when necessary, investigative and support services are made available.  When a report involves a felony (e.g., rape, armed robbery, etc.), DCPD may notify DPD for both assistance and response.  In less serious situations, DPD is kept informed of campus crimes during periodic meetings.

 “Blue Light” Emergency Telephone System

The “Blue Light” emergency system is an interactive voice communication telephone system used to facilitate reporting of emergencies to the Campus Police.  When this system is activated, it automatically relays the campus location of the caller to the radio dispatch center.  Emergency stations are identified by blue lights strategically located throughout the campus.

Reporting Crimes and Emergencies

You may report any suspected criminal activity and/or other emergencies directly to DCPD by dialing 911 When dialing from outside telephones, you may reach DCPD by dialing (704) 894-2178(704) 609-0344

Information Distributed for Reporting Crime and Safety Awareness

Campus Police market law enforcement services, emergency and non-emergency telephone numbers through a variety of methods, and safety awareness information to help educate the community on how to prevent and avoid crime.  During student registration periods Student Orientation meetings are held in residence halls, eating houses, and fraternity dwellings.  Safety awareness packets are distributed to incoming students and parents.  During the year, crime prevention publications are distributed that encourage reporting incidents and emergencies to DCPD.  Exhibits on safety awareness are held to disseminate materials with officers to answer questions. 

ENTRANCE TO CAMPUS FACILITIES

There are services and information available to implement and maintain security.  These include, in addition to the police officers, key-card readers, and identification card checkpoints for controlled access. 

Identification Cards Davidson College identification (ID) cards are called “Cat Card This ID card is required for students and employees to gain entrance into campus facilities, obtain services, and attend special events.

The Cat Card, once activated, serves as a key for entry.  This system facilitates an active-user data base.  All authorizations for establishing or denying access to any student, faculty, or staff members are facilitated through the appropriate Dean  Entrance to residence halls (i.e., dormitories) is limited to College members who have a valid Cat Card that is active.  All residence halls are locked 24 hours/day, 7 days/week.

Any non-College entities authorized for contractual repairs and clean up service must contact the Campus Police for entrance.  Lock-up schedules for each building are maintained by Campus Police.  After hours entry into academic buildings must be pre-approved by the appropriate administrator.