09:27:00 Law Enforcement and Safety on Campus

PURPOSE

It is the intent of Walters State Community College as a Tennessee Board of Regents institution to fully comply with section 485(f) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 otherwise known as the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act), as amended by the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 and §304 of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013, the regulations implementing these Acts found at 34 CFR §668.41, §668.46 and with the U. S. Department of Education guidelines as outlined in The Handbook for Campus Safety and Security Reporting with regards to law enforcement and safety on campus.

The Campus Police Department is administratively responsible for the police and safety functions on Walters State campuses. In addition to certified police officers, the college also employs uncertified safety officers who directly supplement and support the police function. Services are provided on the Greeneville/Greene County, Morristown/Hamblen County, Sevierville/Sevier County, and Tazewell/Claiborne County campuses and White Pine/Jefferson County Great Smoky Mountain Exposition center as well as other properties owned and leased by the college.

POLICY

Campus Police officers are required to maintain Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certification. The college employs both full-time, regular part-time and temporary part-time Campus Police officers to provide police services to the college.  Certified Campus Police officers are commissioned by the president of the college and have full arrest and investigative powers on all properties of Walters State.

In addition, uncertified campus safety officers assist the department in performing patrols, safety checks, and other projects as assigned.  Campus Police and safety officers report directly to the director of Campus Police and Emergency Preparedness.  The director of Campus Police and Emergency Preparedness reports, directly to the vice president for Business & Finance. However, director of Campus Police and Emergency Preparedness, also works closely with the president, vice president for Student Services, the vice president for Academic Affairs, and campus deans and other faculty and staff when police investigations or actions are warranted. 

LAW ENFORCEMENT ON CAMPUS

Walters State employs  eleven full time police officers. The number of temporary part-time police officers may vary throughout the year but is in the range of 10 to 20 officers. All Campus Police officers have completed an accredited law enforcement academy and are state certified by the Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission (POST) upon full time employment. Officers attend yearly-required in-service training and firearms qualification to maintain POST certification. Police officers also participate in additional training throughout the year to include emergency response, active threat, and critical incident management. 

Campus Police officers have all the police powers necessary to enforce all state laws as well as rules and regulations of the institution and its governing board on college properties, including public roads or right-of-ways which are contiguous to or within the perimeter of college facilities or property, and TBR policy 5:01:07:00. 

In addition, the college employs non-certified safety officers who have the responsibility of conducting various safety equipment checks, complete reports and perform patrol duties.

WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT

Walters State maintains a close working relationship with local and state law enforcement agencies, and all major offenses are reported to local and state agencies as appropriate.  Campus Police officers respond to all reported incidents involving criminal activity, injury, or other emergencies and initiate emergency response for all campus locations. Other emergency service agencies will be contacted as needed or required based upon the circumstances of the incident.

CAMPUS SAFETY OFFICERS

The college also employs non-certified safety officers. Safety officers provide foot and vehicle patrols of campus areas and perform non-police related safety services.  Safety officers are responsible for conducting the following safety assignments and safety equipment checks:

1. Fire extinguishers
2. AEDs
3. Emergency telephones
4. Lighting assessments
5. Building and grounds safety assessments
6. Securing of work areas and buildings

CLERICAL STAFF

The college employs a Campus Police secretary for the department who provides clerical and office management services on the Morristown campus. However, clerical staff is also responsible for ensuring that all campus locations have necessary computer access, access to reports and forms, and other information as necessary. 

10/19