Safe and Sound Online - Kennesaw State University
Safe and Sound Online - Kennesaw State University
Safe and Sound Online - Kennesaw State University
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KSU POLICE MISSION STATEMENT: The Department of Public<br />
<strong>Safe</strong>ty exists to ensure that <strong>Kennesaw</strong> <strong>State</strong> <strong>University</strong> remains<br />
a safe <strong>and</strong> secure community, conducive to the free exchange of<br />
ideas within an academic setting.<br />
A Commitment to <strong>Safe</strong>ty.<br />
Concern about personal safety in today’s<br />
world makes sense. Too often we hear or read<br />
about crimes to life <strong>and</strong> property. Although<br />
university campuses seem in some ways as<br />
secure as small towns, no campus is immune<br />
from crime.<br />
Fortunately, <strong>Kennesaw</strong> <strong>State</strong> <strong>University</strong> has<br />
one of the lowest crime rates among colleges<br />
<strong>and</strong> universities in the <strong>University</strong> System of<br />
Georgia. The Department of Public <strong>Safe</strong>ty at<br />
KSU is committed to preserving that record.<br />
That’s why we have prepared this booklet<br />
to inform students, faculty, staff <strong>and</strong> parents<br />
about our efforts to keep the campus safe <strong>and</strong><br />
sound.<br />
Public <strong>Safe</strong>ty Staff <strong>and</strong> Services<br />
The KSU Department of Public <strong>Safe</strong>ty<br />
maintains a force of 34 Georgia POSTcertified<br />
police officers whose duties include<br />
enforcing state <strong>and</strong> federal laws <strong>and</strong> local<br />
ordinances; preventing <strong>and</strong> investigating<br />
crimes; providing security; <strong>and</strong> encouraging<br />
safety awareness. Officers patrol the<br />
campus 24 hours a day, seven days a week.<br />
Security officers provide additional security<br />
by patrolling parking lots <strong>and</strong> buildings,<br />
assisting motorists <strong>and</strong> providing safety<br />
escorts.<br />
Officers’ Jurisdiction<br />
All KSU police officers have the power of<br />
arrest <strong>and</strong> the authority to enforce all laws.<br />
Their jurisdiction includes the entire campus<br />
<strong>and</strong> extends 500 yards outside any property<br />
owned or controlled by the state Board of<br />
Regents. If an offense occurs within the<br />
officers’ jurisdiction, they can leave this area<br />
to pursue the offender.<br />
Specialized Training<br />
All KSU law enforcement personnel annually<br />
receive in-service <strong>and</strong> specialized training<br />
in fire arms qualifications, criminal-law<br />
procedures, first responder for medical<br />
emergencies, cardio-pulmonary resuscitation,<br />
crime-scene search, report writing <strong>and</strong><br />
interpersonal communications. In 2011, KSU<br />
police officers completed more than 4,701<br />
hours of training. Several members of the<br />
department belong to professional police<br />
organizations <strong>and</strong> are instructors at the<br />
regional police academy.<br />
Open Lines of Communication<br />
The department has established open<br />
lines of communication with nearby law<br />
enforcement agencies <strong>and</strong> maintains<br />
ongoing relationships with them so that<br />
information about criminal investigations<br />
may be exchanged <strong>and</strong> assistance may be<br />
obtained. A memo of underst<strong>and</strong>ing exists<br />
with the Bartow County Sheriff's Office<br />
which indicates that the sheriff’s office will<br />
provide investigative support to the KSU PD,<br />
when necessary. A mutual aid agreement<br />
exists with Cobb County Police, the local<br />
law enforcement agency that has concurrent<br />
jurisdiction with the KSU DPS, as well as<br />
those law enforcement agencies that have<br />
official non-campus l<strong>and</strong> or facilities within<br />
their jurisdiction. Under the mutual aid<br />
agreement, the Cobb County PD will assist<br />
with investigations if requested by KSU DPS.<br />
Constant contact with other law enforcement<br />
agencies is also maintained through the<br />
Georgia Crime Information Center <strong>and</strong><br />
National Crime Information Center computer<br />
terminal. The terminal also provides<br />
important data on wanted persons, driver’s<br />
license information <strong>and</strong> criminal history<br />
information.<br />
Security of <strong>and</strong> Access to Campus Facilities<br />
While classes are in session, <strong>Kennesaw</strong><br />
<strong>State</strong> <strong>University</strong>, with the exception of the<br />
residence halls, is open to students, parents,<br />
employees, contractors, guests <strong>and</strong> invitees.<br />
During normal business hours <strong>and</strong> into the<br />
evening hours for night classes <strong>and</strong> activities,<br />
access to KSU facilities is through unlocked<br />
doors or key locks, along with a card access<br />
system deployed at KSU, where applicable.<br />
After regular hours, which includes when<br />
classes <strong>and</strong> events are completed, KSU DPS<br />
officers make rounds <strong>and</strong> secure doors by<br />
locking them. Persons wanting to enter a