Private Security: Campus Security Plan Report

Background

As an outcome of the mass internal violence and civil disturbances that had a widespread occurrence throughout the nation during the 60’s and 70’s, the then prevailing campus security policies frequently failed to serve its purpose in controlling riots, destructive mass demonstrations which often ensued injuries to both, the students as well as the security officials. This was due to poor training of the security officials, lack of leadership and proper directives to act under turbulent and unforeseen circumstances. Thus, the need for a stronger and more formidable security strategy on campuses emerged. Laws that are more stringent were brought in requiring campus security personnel to be better trained and it allowed enhanced powers.

Mission

The campus is an integral element of the community as a whole and accordingly it faces all the challenges of disturbances to harmony the outer community faces. The primary objective of the security department is to provide a safe and secure surrounding to all affiliates of the campus community. The Department of Security thrives to ensure the establishment of an environment that is devoid of any criminal or other disturbing activities, which may lead to an insecure posture. This department is dedicated to uphold the integrity of the campus as a place to study, research, work and reside where there is no evils of abuse, terrorization and aggravation and every member of the campus is treated with respect, reverence and civility. It is committed to maintain internal regulation would pursue criminal prosecution and in no circumstances would tolerate any form of criminal activity. (Steiner, 2002)

The Law

The Clery Act, initially known as the Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act, was enacted in 1990. (Jackson & Cherrey, 2004) It requires all institutes taking part in federal financial aid initiatives to maintain and document all information relating to crime on the campus premises or criminal activities taking place near the campus premises. Adherence to the law is monitored by the United States Department of Education. Infringement of the law may lead to civil penalties up to $27,500 and establishments can be disqualified from participation in federal financial aid initiatives. (Jackson & Cherrey, 2004)

This Department shoulders the responsibility of preparing the Annual Campus Security Report as required by the Clery Act by 1 October each year. The department also maintains a crime log consisting of each illegal activity brought to its notice. Crime Statistics relating to activities like Criminal Homicide, Sexual Offences, Robbery or Theft, Aggravated Assault, Drug or Liquor Law Abuse and Possession of Illegal Weaponry are carefully maintained. (Downes, 2007)

Access Protocol

The campus access is to be strictly monitored. All employees, students and other members of staff need to produce valid identifications for entry into the campus. In case of visitors, name, time of entry, purpose of visit, time of departure must be well documented. All employees, students, members of the staff and security personnel should be familiarized with the screening and monitoring equipments. Security staff must act according to procedures in the event of a suspicious incident being tracked by any equipment or being reported by any member of the campus community. All campus buildings are to be patrolled by the designated campus security personnel even after work hours and on holidays apart from regular patrolling.

Illegal Activities

The campus should be kept free from all sorts of illegal activities.

Sexual Assault — Causing sexual contact or inflicting sexual annoyance upon or with any individual without that individual’s consent. Such behavior is “without consent” when no comprehensible approval is provided; when imposed by means of exerting mental pressure, intimidation of usage of force, or oppression or when caused to an individual who is senseless or else devoid of the physical or mental ability to grant approval e.g., when somebody is under the effect of alcohol or drugs usage.

Sexual Harassment – Some form of mistreatment from an administrator, superior, colleague, faculty and member of staff or fellow students, involving:

1. Vocal harassment or mistreatment,
2. Subtle application of pressure insisting on sexual action,
3. Sexist comments concerning an individual’s garments, physical attributes or sexual orientations,
4. Pointless touching, stroking or pinching,
5. Continuous brushing against an individual’s body.
6. Insisting on sexual favors along with indirect or obvious threats relating to one’s job security, promotions, performance appraisals, marking etc.
7. Physical abuse. (Jackson & Cherrey, 2004)

In case a sexual assault or harassment is reported to the security department an immediate inquiry into the case must be initiated without and further delay. The victim must be escorted to a medical facility for assistance and treatment. All evidences should be collected and a report must be produced after the conclusion of the enquiry. Further actions are to be taken based on the report of the inquiry. It must be kept in mind that all information collected from the victims should be kept confidential in order to protect the integrity of the individual.

Educational and awareness building initiatives must be taken to advance the alertness of rape and further sexual crimes and all programs should abide by the Drug-Free Schools and Campuses Act. The department takes responsibility to arrange programs intended to raise the awareness regarding date rapes and other sexual assaults.

Alcohol and Drug abuse- As per the federal and state laws it is illegal for an individual under the age of twenty-one to acquire, possess or consume any alcoholic brew. The campus policies strictly prohibit the use, consumption or sale of alcoholic and narcotic substances. Campus affiliates found possessing illegal drugs or consuming alcohol on the campus premises or infringing the Drug/Alcohol Violation Law in any form will have their names struck off immediately from the program/programs he/she has enrolled.

Procedures

In the event of a Bomb Threat

1. Identify the location from which the call originated.
2. Evaluate the time frame of the bomb threat. Analyze how fast the facilities should be evacuated.
3. Inform the Chief Administrative Officer or the Deputy to the Chief Administrative Officer about the call.
4. Initiate the fire alarm and announce the evacuation order for all buildings and facilities.
5. Get in touch with emergency federal services. (Downes, 2007)

Evacuation

1. All members of the campus community must evacuate whatever buildings they are occupying now of the evacuation announcement following the procedures of a customary fire drill without any exceptions.
2. All coordinators would be responsible for the attendance of the subordinates and students. They should carry attendance sheets or registers to document the presence of all individuals at the evacuation site. The attendance should be taken in an orderly manner but with rapidity to avoid any delay.
3. It should be ensured that all evacuated individuals stay at the designated evacuated site until further orders to escort them to the residences, buses or other places is received.
4. In case the designated evacuation site is compromised, an alternative evacuation site must be allotted.

In the event of a Weapon Fired

1. Notify the security office and identify yourself.
2. The radio communication channel must be switch to the emergency line.
3. Shut down and secure all shops, buildings and administrative areas.
4. Ensure all individuals stay inside whichever building/shop/facility they are occupying and direct everyone not to leave the facility.
5. Direct the occupants to switch off the lights, lock the doors, hallways and windows and stay clear from the doors and windows.
6. Order evacuation only after securing the entire campus.
7. Escort the individuals in groups to a designated evacuation point and oversee their release from thereon.

Security Structure

The security on the campus will be broadly classified into categories. The law enforcement with community Police powers would be categorized as the campus police and the rest will be ordinary campus security officials. The two groups would have different uniforms and a different set of responsibilities.

The main responsibilities of the campus securities can be broadly classified as:

1. Crisis Management
2. Campus Security and Safety
3. Risk Management
4. Emergency Facilities (Carney-Hall, 2008)

Crisis Management

Strength of about 35 officials would be dedicated to form a formidable Crisis Management team. This team would be highly trained on managing emergencies such as acts of internal violence on the campus premises, terrorist activity inside campus boundaries, bomb threats to the campus and events like a fire breakout. However, the responsibilities of this team would not be restricted to these events only. In any situation, in which there is an element of risk, threat or vulnerability, this team shall be called in to deliver their expertise. They would receive their training from elite crisis management institutes on the nation as the expense of the campus security funds. An Executive response team would be carved out of the crisis management team consisting of about 15 members to address minor internal issues such as power breakage, water issues and other trivial issues.

This Executive will also be responsible for planning and designing post-event responses. A 30-member team would also be formed and named as the Safety Official Team. This team would be required to respond to incidents inside the campus, which require on ground first aid attention. This team would be trained in handling minor medical situations and would lend their expertise when and where minor accidents occur on the campus. First Aid kits would be provided to all of these officials and they would be posted at different locations on the campus. An unambiguous crisis management manual would be designed and the security department would work in close collaboration with local and state security agencies by sharing the crisis management blueprints with them. (Downes, 2007)

Campus Police

The campus police officers are to be employed to carry out specific functions of the department. These police officers are required to be commissioned as constable pursuant and are obliged to take oath of the office as approved by the State constitution for these officers. The duties of these officers incorporate the exerting social control as prescribed by the state and federal laws, the protection of public law and order, the security of life and property on the campus, the deterrence, exposure or inquiry of a criminal situation, or a mixture of all those duties. As per the law, the authority of these police officers is restricted to the campus premises and the area contiguous to the campus property, i.e., in and around the campus grounds and not over five hundred yards further than its boundary, and ahead of those limits only for official duty purposes or at procedures endorsed or sanctioned by the campus administration. Campus police officers are designated as peace officials. While engaged in the act of performing their designated duties of their job, they possess the privileges similar to that of a municipal and county police officer and have the power to make arrests for both criminal offenses and misdemeanors.

The Serious Organized Crime and Police Act 2005, grants the security officers powers to make arrest. However, it is evidently crucial that security officials are conscious of their powers of arrest and must comprehend how this authority is limited by the law. It is also important that the officers make their arrests based on concrete evidences. They only cases where the officers may act with formidable grounds are circumstances when without being detained the arrestee may 1. Inflict physical injury on himself someone else 2. Bring about property destruction 3. Flee before a constable can shoulder his responsibility. (Carney-Hall, 2008)

Conclusion

However, the security official should have a valid reason to believe any of the above. In the event of a serious crime being reported, the campus police shall arrest the charged individual but also extend the Miranda rights to him if the charges are not substantiated by concrete evidences. The campus police must be extremely rationale while making an arrest as unnecessary arrests may inflict a lot of harm on the reputation of the establishment and can raise questions about its integrity and liability.

References

Carney-Hall, K.C. (2008). Understanding current trends in family involvement. New Directions for Student Services, 2008(122), 3-14.

Downes, D.M. (2007). Crime, social control and human rights: from moral panics to states of denial. New York: Willan Publishing.

Jackson, M.L. & Cherrey, C. (2004). Collaboration with the local community. New Directions for Student Services, 2004(99), 37-46.

Steiner, C. (2002). Pursuit of knowledge or pursuit of suspects: Rights, legalities, liabilities. New Directions for Student Services, 2002(47), 65-75.