Campus Security Policy

Our mission: a safe, secure campus

The mission of Drake Public Safety is to provide a safe and secure environment for students, faculty, staff and campus visitors. DPS strives to achieve this mission through a community friendly approach that enhances safety through the visibility of security personnel, preventive patrols, 24-hour accessibility, positive conflict resolution, and crime prevention and awareness programs. DPS collaborates with local law enforcement and community organizations in fulfilling its mission.

In addition to their role in keeping the campus community safe, DPS officers also are trained to assist in medical emergencies and have access to portable defibrillators for use in emergency situations.

Compliments, Comments and Complaints

Drake Public Safety has a "Compliment, Comment and Complaint" mechanism available to individuals who wish to register a compliment, comment or complaint with respect to DPS. See attachment B for Compliment, Comment and Complaint form.  Compliments regarding an officer or the department will be acknowledged and noted internally. Comments will be acknowledged and evaluated in the context of public safety's departmental philosophy of continuous improvement. Complaints will be acknowledged and investigated in a timely manner under DPS's investigation guidelines. A summary of complaints will be prepared and provided on an annual basis to the Chief Administrative Officer and the President of the University.

Investigations

1. An investigation into the conduct of a DPS officer, including the use of force, may be initiated at the request of the Director of Public Safety or his superior(s). Such an investigation may be initiated as the result of an internal or external complaint or on the Director's or his superior's own initiative.
   
   
2. The Director of Public Safety or his superior(s) will determine the nature and scope of the investigation.
   
   
3. Typically the investigation will be conducted by the Director of Public Safety or his designee as an internal and confidential personnel matter. However, there shall also be a Public Safety Review Board which at the discretion of the President of the University or the Director of Public Safety may be requested to conduct investigations, make findings, and, if requested, a recommendation to the Director of Public Safety or the President. The President may at his discretion appoint additional members to work with the standing Public Safety Review Board on any given matter.
   
   
4. The Review Board shall comprise a faculty member, a student, a member of the administrative staff, a community member, a member of the DPS staff, and a member of another law enforcement agency. Board members shall be appointed by the President of the University on an annual basis.
   
   
5. In the event of an investigation into the conduct of an officer, whether or not it is precipitated by a complaint, the officer may be placed on administrative leave with or without pay or reassigned to alternative duties pending the conclusion of the investigation.
   
   
6. At the conclusion of an investigation, appropriate employment-related action may be taken if deemed to be warranted by the Director of Public Safety or his supervisor(s).
   
   

Closed Circuit Television Monitoring and Recording of Campus Areas for Safety and Security Purposes

I. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to regulate the use of closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras, (security cameras), to monitor and record campus areas for the purposes of safety and security.  The use of security cameras is one tool used by Drake University Public Safety to fulfill its Departmental Mission Statement.

II. Scope

This policy applies to all CCTV monitoring conducted by Drake University Public Safety personnel.  Uses of CCTV monitoring by other University departments, colleges or schools, if any, is not governed by this policy.

III. General Principles

1. A critical component of a comprehensive security plan using state-of-the-art technology is closed circuit television (CCTV).  The Department of Public Safety is committed to enhancing the quality of life of the campus community by integrating the best practices of private campus safety with CCTV technology. 

2. The purpose of CCTV monitoring of campus areas by campus security personnel is to deter crime and to assist the Public Safety Department in protecting the safety of persons and property on the University campus. 

3. Personnel involved in CCTV monitoring will be trained and supervised in the responsible use of this technology.  Violations of this policy will result in disciplinary action consistent with the rules and regulations governing employees of the University.

4. Information obtained through CCTV monitoring will be used exclusively for security, law enforcement, and official University business purposes. 

5. CCTV monitoring of campus areas for security purposes will be conducted in a manner consistent with all existing University policies, including the Non-Discrimination Policy, the Sexual Harassment policy, Open Expression Guidelines, other relevant University policies and applicable Civil Rights laws.  Therefore, CCTV monitoring will not be conducted based on a person’s race, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability or other protected characteristics.

6. To help maintain an informed University community, the Department of Public Safety will post this policy on its web site as well as location information for all CCTV monitoring locations. 

VI. Responsibilities

1. The Department of Public Safety shall oversee and coordinate the use of CCTV monitoring for safety and security purposes.

2. The Department of Public Safety will monitor new developments in the relevant law and in security industry practices to help ensure that its CCTV monitoring operations are consistent with accepted standards and practices.

3. Camera control operators will be trained in the technical, legal and ethical parameters of appropriate camera use.  Camera control operators will receive a copy of this policy and provide written acknowledgement that they have read and understood its content.

V. Operation and Procedures

1. The master program/computer for the CCTV system will be locked in a separate limited access room away from the communications/dispatch area.  Only the Director of Public Safety and Administrative Assistant will be authorized to alter the master program and/or save video from the master program.

2. Recorded video media will be stored for a period not to exceed 30 days and will then be erased, unless retained as part of an investigation or court proceedings (criminal or civil), or for other official University business purposes, as determined by the Director of Public Safety in consultation with the Vice President for Business and Finance.

3. Saved video media will be stored in the departmental electronic data fire proof safe which can be accessed only by the Director of Public Safety and the Administrative Assistant.  Saved video data will be coordinated with departmental case reports through normal evidence procedures and logs.

4. Camera control operators will conduct CCTV observation in open view of others at the Drake Public Safety office.

5. No cameras will be placed in locations of expected privacy, i.e., rest rooms, dressing rooms, athletic locker rooms, etc.  Interior cameras may be placed in locations of high foot traffic, suspected criminal activity and/or high value equipment where personal and/or University property safety is a concern. 

6. Camera control operators may monitor individuals based on suspicious behavior, but not based upon protected individual characteristics as set forth in University Policies and applicable Civil Rights laws.

7. Windows of Residence Halls and private living quarters on the University campus will not be monitored or viewed by CCTV.  All other buildings and grounds on the campus, as well as parking lots, sidewalks, and campus grassy areas will be assumed “public” and may be viewed and monitored by CCTV.

8. Information obtained through CCTV monitoring may be released to persons or entities outside the University (such as law enforcement) only when compelled by lawful means, such as a subpoena, or when authorized by the Director of Public Safety, in consultation with the Vice President of Business and Finance, and in accordance with this policy.  CCTV video data will not be released to news or media sources without the additional approval of the Director of University Communications.

9. CCTV video may be viewed by University employees outside Campus Public Safety on a “need to know” basis, as determined by the Director of Public Safety, in consultation with the Vice President of Finance and Administration.

10. Members of the campus community, individuals or small groups, may observe “live” CCTV monitoring operations at the Drake Public Safety Communications Center by making an appointment with the Campus Public Safety Department.

VI.  CCTV not a Guarantee of Safety on Campus

No one should assume that the presence of a CCTV system on campus will guarantee safety for persons or property at all times.  Rather, it is one more tool in Drake Public Safety’s continuing efforts to increase campus security and safety.  Additional information may be found on the Public Safety website.

VII.  Not a Contract

This policy is not intended by Drake University to form a contract between it and any person or entity.  These procedures may be amended by authorized University officials at any time without prior notice.

NOTE: The university's Missing Student Policy is available here for download as a Word document. The document includes a student's designation of confidential contact form. For more information, contact the Dean of Students Office.

30 January 2007