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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

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