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Public Safety and Police Services: Crime Information |
Police ProtectionCWU provides full-service police protection to the campus community through its Department of Public Safety and Police Services, which operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The department employs 14 police officers, fully commissioned by the state of Washington that has the same arrest and investigative authority as other law enforcement officers in the state. All of the officers are graduates of the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission's Basic Academy or equivalent. Officers are certified as police officers and are trained in all phases of law enforcement, including the use of firearms. Officers carry standard issue or approved firearms at all times and must maintain firearms proficiency through quarterly classroom training, qualification and certification at a local firing range. Many of the officers hold degrees in Law and Justice or a related field of study. The department has the primary responsibility for law enforcement on the CWU campus and works closely with all other law enforcement agencies. Officers patrol the campus 24 hours a day with an emphasis placed on crime prevention and education. In addition to the officers, the department includes Parking Services, a telephone operator and a secretarial staff. The department encourages the prompt reporting of all crimes. Emergency Telephone NumberThe on-campus emergency number, 911, directly connects any campus telephone with KITTCOM, the consolidated dispatch center for Kittitas County. CWU contracts with KITTCOM for professional dispatch service. 911 should be used when there is an emergency requiring a police, fire or medical response either on or off campus. In non-emergency situations requiring a police, fire or medical response, KITTCOM should be contacted by dialing (509) 925-8534. This number is also published in the university telephone directory, the Ellensburg Telephone directory and posted on Emergency Procedures postings throughout the campus. The Department of Public Safety and Police Services business number is (509) 963-2959. The number for Parking Services is (509) 963-2667. In addition to a telephone in each student's room, outdoor emergency telephones are located at the entrances to each residence hall. "Blue-light" emergency telephones are installed in or adjacent to many parking lots and walking paths throughout the campus. Each phone has an emergency button and a two-way speaker that directly connects to KITTCOM. The Department of Public Safety and Police Services employs students in a program called Courtesty Assistance Team or CAT. CAT provides walking companions from campus buildings to parking lots or residence halls. CAT employees also check doors to buildings and walk through buildings that are open. Central Transit provides transportation from campus to various locations in the city of Ellensburg and other points of interest. Security in University HousingThere are about 3100 students that reside in 20 residence halls and 3 apartment complexes on the CWU campus. Freshman under the age of 20 with less than 45 credits, are required to live on campus, with the exception of students residing with immediate family and commuting daily to CWU. Upper-class students select residence hall assignments dependent upon availability. Off-campus housing includes apartments, private homes, individual rooms and apartments within private homes. The university does not provide supervision for off-campus housing. University housing provides coeducational housing for such lifestyle options as first year, upper class and substance free. Each residence hall requires guests to be escorted by a hall resident at all times. Overnight guests in the residence halls are not allowed to reside in the halls for more than two nights and with permission from the roommate. Access to on-campus housing by university employees is on an "as needed" basis and incorporates strict key control procedures during hours of restricted access. All university maintenance personnel must wear photo identification to allow for easy identification by residents. Each residence hall is staffed with a residence hall manager or resident director and a number of resident assistants. These individuals, living in the halls and on call, are members of the University Housing and New Student Programs staff and receive training in enforcing residence hall security policies. All residence hall doors accessing resident living areas remain locked 24 hours daily, seven days a week. Residence halls and apartments are accessed by means of a key in-lock system maintained by Facilities Management. During low occupancy periods, such as summer terms, students remaining on campus are moved into one concentrated area of the residence halls to enhance security effectiveness. In many cases this includes international students. As part of the responsibilities of University Housing and New Student Programs, Facilities Management and the Department of Public Safety and Police Services, security integrity of university housing is carefully scrutinized. Repairs are made promptly, locks quickly replaced when keys are reported lost or stolen, and reports of potential safety hazards, such as broken windows, receive a high priority response. In situations that occur after hours that could compromise security, maintenance personnel can be called in anytime of the day or night. Gambling PoliciesThe Student Health and Counseling is available for students with gambling or other addictive or problematic habits to help these students assess their concerns, identify relevant goals and interventions and assist with finding appropriate treatment and/or support resources. An overview of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) rules applied and enforced by the Department of Athletics are as follows. NCAA rules prohibit sports gambling of any kind. In addition to Student-Athletes this rule applies to:
None of the aforementioned people may place any bet of any sort on any college or professional sporting event. They may not give information to anyone who does place bets on college or professional sports.
The consequences for violation of these rules are that the student-athlete will be declared ineligible to compete in college sports. The CWU student-athletes are informed that if they place bets of any kind on any college or professional sport or if they give information to anyone who uses that information to make a bet, they are at risk of being:
Furthermore they are forewarned that sports wagering can destroy any future plans, dreams, or hopes for themselves. For this reason, college athletes, college administrators, college athletic staff members and conference staff officials may not gamble on college or professional sporting events. Prevention EffortsThrough a cooperative effort between the Department of Public Safety and Police Services, University Housing and New Student Programs, Wildcat Wellness Center, Empowerment Center, Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management and International Programs, programs on personal safety, rape prevention, substance abuse, self-defense and prevention of burglary, theft and vandalism are conducted regularly throughout the school year. Each fall, and in cooperation with Public Safety, University Housing and New Student Programs assists in distributing safety literature to each resident student and encourages all residents to attend hall meetings on personal safety. Resident staff in each hall offers a number of programs throughout the year to students in their areas on varying topics of personal safety. In addition to the 60-75 crime prevention programs conducted each year the Department of Public Safety also provides timely warning for serious crimes through the use of local media, including the campus newspaper and radio station as well as our web site. The media sources are also used regularly to provide crime prevention awareness and education. Missing StudentIf a person has reason to believe that a student is missing, whether or not the student resides on campus, all possible efforts are made to locate the student to determine his or her state of health and well-being, through the collaboration of the Department of Public Safety and Police Services and the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management. If a student is an on-campus resident, the police and University Housing and New Student Programs will coordinate efforts to locate the student, including a welfare check into the room in exigent circumstances. If an off-campus student resident, the university police will enlist the aid of the neighboring police agency having jurisdiction. Concurrently, university officials will endeavor to determine the student's whereabouts through contact with friends, associates, and/or employers of the student. Whether or not the student has been attending classes, labs, recitals, and scheduled organizational and academic meetings, or appearing for scheduled work shifts will be established. If located, verification of the student's state of health and intention of returning to campus is made. When and where appropriate if the need is determined, a referral will be made to the Student Health and Counseling Center. If not located, notification of the family within 24 hours of receiving the initial report is made to determine if they know the whereabouts of the student. If the student is an off-campus resident, appropriate family members or associates are encouraged to make an official missing person report to the law enforcement agency with jurisdiction. The university police will cooperate, aid and assist the primary investigative agency in all ways prescribed by law. The university police are an active participant in the exchange of mutual aid agreements between local law enforcement agencies and other law enforcement agencies throughout the state. If the student is an on-campus resident, the university police will open an official investigation and retain status as the primary investigative unit. Entry into NCIC and WACIC will be made according to ACCESS guidelines. All pertinent law enforcement agencies, be they neighboring municipal, county, or state; those located along suspected travel corridors; or place of original hometown, will be notified and requested to render assistance, through telephone, in person, via WACIC, email, fax or radio. All agencies contacted will be updated on the status of the investigation until its conclusion. General Security ProceduresThe CWU campus is well lighted and further improvements in campus lighting are continually being made, including the placement of high intensity metal halide or sodium vapor lights on buildings, in parking lots, in areas with heavy landscaping and along sidewalks and pathways frequently traveled by students. Lighting and shrubbery tours are conducted twice a year by all segments of the campus community, including staff from University Housing and New Student Programs, Facilities Management and Public Safety and Police Services. Safety and security concerns are identified and recommendations for improvements are made. In addition the Environmental Health and Safety Office make regular health and safety inspections and serves as a liaison with public health and safety officials. CWU students, faculty and staff have access to academic, recreational and administrative facilities on campus. The general public may attend cultural and recreational events on campus, with limited access to the facilities in which these events are scheduled. The university trespass policy, enforced by university police and posted in all university housing, is as follows: Only those persons having legitimate business with Central Washington University, members of the university community and their invited guests, are permitted in this building. The university reserves the right to exclude all persons not conforming to acceptable behavior from these premises. Those who disregard this warning are to be considered in violation of criminal trespass under RCW 9A.56.040** and are liable for prosecution. University police officers may serve verbal or written trespass notices on nonmembers of the university community present on campus at their discretion and may make immediate arrests of persons in secure areas for which they have no legitimate business. If a person served with a prior trespass notice reappears on campus, or if a person is found in a posted facility with no legitimate purpose in that building, he or she is subject to immediate arrest. Firearms and dangerous weapons of any type are not permitted in the residence halls or other university facilities including inside vehicles parked on campus. Provisions for storage of firearms can be made with university police for short-term purposes, such as hunting off campus in approved areas. Strict sign-in and sign-out procedures are followed. Police Log InformationThe university community is kept aware of reported incidents on campus and in the nearby community through the daily publication of the KITTCOM police log, published in the Kittitas County newspaper called the Daily Record. Additionally, the university police meet once a week with student reporters to assist in compiling a report of incidents that occur on campus and having them published in the weekly student newspaper called the Observer. Police log information also appears on the university Police Website and can be accessed by scrolling down to links for Daily Log. For those not having access to the internet, the university police make the crime log for the most recent 60 day period open to public inspection during normal business hours, Monday through Friday, excepting holidays. Any portion of the log beyond 60 days, if not immediately available, will be made accessible within two business days of a request for public inspection. Timely WarningsDepending on the particular circumstance of the crime, especially in all situations that could pose an immediate threat to the community and individuals, the Department of Public Safety may post a notice on the campus-wide email system, providing the university community with more immediate notification. In such instances, a copy of the notice is posted in each residence hall and placed in other conspicuous places. Anyone with information warranting a timely warning should report the circumstances to the Department of Public Safety office, by phone at (509) 963-2959 or in person at the Public Safety Office at 1211 North D Street. Sex Offender Registry and Access to Related InformationIncarceration may remove a sex offender from the streets but it does nothing to prevent the offender from committing another crime when released. The federal Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act, enacted on October 28, 2000, goes into effect October 28, 2002. The law requires institutions of higher education to issue a statement advising the campus community where law enforcement agency information provided by a State concerning registered sex offenders may be obtained. It also requires sex offenders already required to register in a state to provide notice, as required under state law, of each institution of higher education in that state at which the person is employed, carries on a vocation, or is a student. In the state of Washington, convicted sex offenders must register in accordance with: RCW 9A.44.130 Registration of sex offenders and kidnapping offenders--Procedures--Definition--Penalties.
For information about sex offenders in any county in the state of Washington, please contact the appropriate sheriff's department. For information about registered sex offenders living in or attending college in Kittitas County, contact the Kittitas County Sheriff's Department, 205 West Fifth Avenue, Ellensburg, WA 98926, (509) 962-7525. See the following links for more information. http://www.co.kittitas.wa.us/sheriff/sexoffenders.asp Sexual AssaultPrevention, intervention and education programs specifically addressing sexual assault and rape are regularly sponsored by a variety of organizations at CWU. The Student Health and Counseling Center, Empowerment Center, Wildcat Wellness Center, University Housing and New Student Programs and Department of Public Safety and Police Services present programs throughout the year in classes, residence halls and public forums. Programs on sexual assault occur at least once a year in all residence halls. The topic is also addressed at freshman orientation and in classes for freshman. The Director of the Wildcat Wellness Center also serves as the Sexual Assault Coordinator for Central Washington University. The Sexual Assault Coordinator responsibilities are outlined in the online CWU Student Sexual Assault Response Policy. If a sexual assault or rape should occur, the victim should take the following actions:
Support is available to students whether or not an incident occurs on campus or not. Students can receive support from the Wildcat Wellness Center, Student Health and Counseling Center and ASPEN, the local rape advocacy organization. Following an incident, victims are encouraged to make a report to the university or local police. This action does not obligate prosecution, but it does make legal action possible if a decision to prosecute is made at a later date. The earlier an incident is reported, the easier it is to collect valuable evidence. Victims have the option of keeping their report of sexual assault in complete confidence, protecting their right to anonymity, when making a report to the Wildcat Wellness Center, Student Health and Counseling Center and ASPEN. University judicial action, criminal prosecution and civil suit are all options available to victims of sexual assault. To begin university judicial action a counselor, police or victim should contact the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management. Sanctions for violation of the Student Judicial Code may range up to and include suspension or expulsion from CWU. Drug-Facilitated RapeDrugs can deliberately be placed in any drink, not just alcohol. Effects may range from feeling of well-being and short term memory loss to an apparent aphrodisiac and intoxication effect. Serious adverse effects can occur such as seizures, insomnia, anxiety, nausea, dizziness, hallucinations, comatose, even death. Some common side effects of these drugs include a drunken appearance, drowsiness, light-headedness, staggering, confusion, muscle relaxation and amnesia that may last up to 24 hours. If one suspects they or someone they know has been drugged and/or assaulted, first, go to a safe place, call the university police or local police by dialing 911. Go to a medical facility for immediate treatment of any injuries. Call for support.
Domestic ViolenceDomestic Violence is any violent or controlling behavior by a person toward a spouse or partner and can include a dating relationship. Although the partner is the primary target, domestic abuse also affects the children in the household, extended family, co-workers, and even the community at large. If anyone has ever been hit or abused by a spouse, domestic partner, or boy/girl friend and they want to report it as a crime, they should immediately call the police. CWU takes domestic violence seriously and has adopted the following policy: Domestic Violence and the WorkplacePurposeThe purpose of this policy is to set forth guidelines for all Central Washington University employees to address the occurrence of domestic violence and its impacts in the workplace. DescriptionDomestic violence is abusive behavior that is physical, sexual, verbal, and/or psychological, intended to establish and maintain control over a partner. Domestic violence is a serious problem that affects people from all walks of life. It can adversely affect the well-being and productivity of employees who are victims, as well as their co-workers. Other effects of domestic violence in the workplace include increased absenteeism, turnover, health care costs and reduced productivity. PolicyCentral Washington University will not tolerate domestic violence in the workplace and is committed to working with employees who are victims or perpetrators of domestic violence to prevent abuse and harassment from occurring in the workplace. Central Washington University will provide appropriate support and assistance to employees who are victims of domestic violence. This includes: confidential means for coming forward for help, resource and referral information, work schedule adjustments or leave as needed to obtain assistance, and workplace relocation as feasible. Other appropriate assistance will be provided based on individual need. Employees who are perpetrators of domestic violence will be encouraged to seek assistance. The University will provide information regarding counseling and certified treatment resources, and make work schedule arrangements to receive such assistance. Any employee who commits domestic violence at the workplace or from the workplace may be subject to corrective or disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal. Corrective or disciplinary action may also be taken against employees who are convicted or issued a permanent injunction as a result of domestic violence when such action has a direct connection to the employee's duties as a state employee. No employee will be penalized or disciplined solely for being a victim of domestic violence in the workplace. All employees need to take seriously the problem of domestic violence and its effect in the workplace. Central Washington University will take all reasonable measures to foster a safe working environment for all employees and clients. Dating ViolenceCWU is committed to providing on-campus security, education, training and victim services to combat violence against all persons. "Dating violence' is defined as violence committed by a person "who is or has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the victim;" and "where the existence of such a relationship shall be determined based on a consideration of …the length of the relationship, the type of relationship, and the frequency of interaction between the persons involved in the relationship" 20 U.S.C. 1152 (f)(1). The Student Health and Counseling Center offers support and counseling for individuals who have experienced dating violence. Additionally, the Wildcat Wellness Center, Empowerment Center, University Housing and New Student Programs and Department of Public Safety and Police Services offer programs to students on issues of healthy relationships and dating. The Wildcat Wellness Center and ASPEN do not limit services to those who are victims of sexual assault or domestic violence. Rather, they are committed to enhancing the development of students by supporting, educating and collaborating with them as they learn to make healthy choices. They are ready and able to extend services to those who are victims of dating violence. A student victim of dating violence has the right, in addition to filing charges through the criminal justice system, to file a complaint with the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, relative to acts of violence toward them or another committed by CWU student(s). it does not matter whether the act of violence occurred on or off-campus since the university reserves the right to hold students accountable for certain types of off-campus behavior. Disciplinary action may result if a student's behavior is found to be in violation of the Student Judicial Code. Examples of such off-campus behavior would include but not be limited to crimes of violence, sexual assault and/or alcohol or drug violations. Dating violence is prohibited by the Student Judicial Code.
Voluntary Confidential Reporting of Crimes, On Campus Locations For those wishing to make a report of a criminal incident, whether a victim, witness or third party and made in strict confidence, the following offices will do so and discuss further options with you: Student Health and Counseling Center - (509) 963-1881/
(509) 963-1391 Violence in the WorkplaceCWU is committed to providing on-campus security, education, and training and to combat violence in the workplace. In support of this effort, CWU has adopted the following workplace violence policy: PurposeCentral Washington University is committed to maintaining a work environment that is as free as possible from acts or threats of violence or intimidation. The safety and security of Central Washington University students, faculty, staff and visitors are of vital importance. PolicyViolent or threatening behavior directed at students, faculty, staff, visitors, oneself, or property will not be tolerated by Central Washington University. This applies to any acts of violence or threats made on CWU property, at CWU events, or under other circumstances that may negatively affect CWU's ability to conduct business. Included in this prohibition are such acts or threats of violence whether made directly or indirectly, by words, gestures, or symbols that infringe on the university's right or obligation to provide a safe workplace for its employees, students and visitors. Prohibited BehaviorsCentral Washington University defines violence as follows and prohibits:
Employees and visitors may not possess, carry, or store firearms, edged weapons, martial arts weapons, or blunt force weapons on university property, to include privately owned vehicles parked on university property. These items are also prohibited at university events and functions that take place off campus. Students may possess weapons only as provided in CWU policies, which can be found in the Residence Hall Contract and Student Handbook. This restriction shall not apply to university-issued weapons carried by police officers in the performance of their duties and any other exceptions as authorized by Washington Administrative Code 106-124-700. It shall not apply to tools that are used by employees in the performance of work duties, or otherwise, legal items such as a small penknife or pocketknife carried or possessed without the intent of injuring, threatening or intimidating others. Workplace Violence ProceduresPreventive MeasuresTrainingWorkplace violence training shall be offered as part of manager/supervisor training. The Department of Public Safety and Police Services will provide department training upon request. Pre- and Post- Employment ScreeningThe hiring department will insure that employment reference checks of prospective employees are conducted. A criminal background check of candidates to whom an offer of employment is extended may be conducted, provided notice is given on the job announcement. In certain circumstances and with cause, an appointing authority may request that the Department of Public Safety and Police Services conduct a criminal background check of any employee thought to pose a threat of violence. Incident and Pre-Incident ProceduresAny member of the university community observing behavior that is in violation of the workplace violence policy, or that could reasonably be interpreted as a precursor to an act of violence or intimidation, shall make an immediate report to the Department of Public Safety and Police Services. In cases of imminent danger, the Department of Public Safety and Police Services will intervene. When time and circumstances permit, the supervisor of the employee-victim and/or employee-perpetrator, the Director of Public Safety and Police Services; and, as applicable, the Director of Human Resources, the Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs, or appropriate dean, will make a threat assessment and report to the appropriate vice president or provost. Supervisor ResponsibilitySupervisors are critical to the prevention of employee violence in the workplace. By recognizing early signs and intervening prudently and appropriately, supervisors can reduce the chances of eruptive violent behavior. When left unchecked, inappropriate behaviors can escalate to higher levels. Behavioral warning signs which, in some combination, may indicate a potential for violence, could include but are not limited to:
A supervisor, who observes such behaviors in an employee, particularly when they represent behavioral change, should consult with his or her department head to determine whether or not other University resources are required. The Human Resources Office should be notified and the Employee Advisory Services Office contacted for assistance. The Student Health and Counseling Center and the Department of Public Safety and Police Services can help with this determination. If a supervisor believes that someone may be in imminent danger, or if the incident in question resulted in anyone being physically harmed, the supervisor must immediately contact the Department of Public Safety and Police Services by dialing 911. The Department of Public Safety will advise the supervisor as to a course of action and will also contact, as applicable, the Director of Human Resources, Dean, or Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs. Under certain circumstances, a supervisor may have to act prior to contacting other University resources. Where appropriate, supervisors should rely on information received in training and related programs. As soon as possible, the supervisor should follow the reporting procedure outlined above. Action in Response to a Violent, Abusive or Threatening BehaviorDuring or immediately after any incident, the Department of Public Safety and Police Services will be called to establish order and control the area. This can be accomplished by dialing 911 from any campus telephone. A post-incident team consisting of the Associate Vice President for Business and Financial Affairs, Director of Public Safety and Police Services, Director of Human Resources, Director of Public Relations and Marketing, and Director of Student Health and Counseling shall insure that proper attention is given to medical, law enforcement, counseling, employment and public relations issues. If a student is involved, the post-incident team shall include the Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs. If a faculty member is involved, the post-incident team shall include a dean assigned by the Provost. The Director of Public Safety and Police Services will prepare a workplace violence report on or about February 1 of each year. The report will enumerate the number of workplace violence incidents in the previous year and make recommendations as appropriate. University PremisesFor the purpose of this policy, the workplace and university premises are defined as:
SanctionsViolation of this policy by any employee will result in disciplinary action that may result in termination of employment and/or criminal prosecution. Violations by students will result in university judicial action and/or criminal prosecution. Violations by groups or individuals who are neither employees nor students will result in restriction from university property and/or criminal prosecution. Crime Statistics and Developing Information for this ReportThe CWU Department of Public Safety and Police Services submits a report to the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chief's and then it is forwarded to the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting System. As of October, 1998, amendments to the original Campus Security Act of 1990 provided new definition and guidance which strengthened the language on mandated reporting of crime. The amendments mandate reporting by "Campus Security Authorities". Deans, coaches, residence hall staff, student clubs, organizations, student advisors, and other campus officials having "significant responsibility for student and campus activities", not just police, must now report annual campus crime statistics (professional and pastoral counselors excluded; passages in quotations are taken directly from page 59063 of the Federal Register/Vol.64, No. 210/Monday. November 1, 1999/(Final) Rules and Regulations). The Department of Public Safety serves as the "clearinghouse" in the statistical gathering of crime data from those with "significant responsibilities for student and campus activities" and reports such statistics involving pertinent criminal incidents and arrests or referrals gathered from various "campus security authorities" for inclusion in the annual report. The Department of Public Safety and Police Services routinely compares and reconciles the information to minimize "double-counting" of pertinent incidents in which multiple departments are involved. The Ellensburg Police Department with assistance from KITTCOM report pertinent statistics from the required geographical areas to the Department of Public Safety and Police Services annually upon request. All figures reported are incorporated in the statistical tables that appear at the bottom of this document, which include crime statistics for the most recent three-year period. The Individual's ResponsibilityAlthough CWU works hard to ensure the safety of all individuals within its community, students and employees themselves must take responsibility for their own personal safety and that of their personal property. Simple, common sense precautions are the most effective means of maintaining personal security. For example, although the CWU campus is well lighted and may appear safe, students walking across campus or in parking areas at night should do so in groups or in pairs. Students living in residence halls and apartments should keep their room doors locked at all times and should never prop open external doors. Guests in residence halls should be escorted by a resident at all times. Any security concerns should be reported to the university police at once. All valuable personal property should be engraved with the owner's driver's license number using equipment provided through the Department of Public Safety and Police Services. Bicycles should be registered through the Department of Public Safety and Police Services and secured with a good lock. Cars should be locked and parked in a well-lighted area with all valuable items removed or locked in the trunk. Students and employees should notify the university police of any individual present in a building or on campus who appears to have no legitimate business there or who arouses suspicion in any way. |
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Contact Information
Public Safety and Police Services 400 E. University Way Ellensburg, WA 98926 Mail Stop 7527 Business Phone: (509) 963-2959 After Hours Non-Emergency: (509) 925-8534 Emergency Phone: 911 Fax: (509) 963-2994 Email: dayj@cwu.edu |
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