Arming MCLA Campus Police Officers: Background and Considerations February 2012

Contents
Background 1

MCLA Campus Police in Context

MCLA Process and Community Input Overview

Summary of Campus Panel Discussions, November 16 and 17, 2011

Additional Campus Response

11

Summary of campus opinion around the question of arming MCLA Campus Police Officers Profile: Department of Public Safety - Campus Police

13

15

Tasks related to arming MCLA Campus Police Officers

16

Costs associated with arming MCLA Campus Police Officers

17

Appendix A: List of Community Input Sessions

18

Appendix B: Status of MCLA Response to the Recommendations for Campus Safety and Violence Prevention Appendix C: MCLA and City of North Adams Crime Statistics 2008-2010

20

23

Appendix D: Summary of Existing MCLA Campus Police Officer Professional Development Coursework

24

Background
In June, 2008, the company Applied Risk Management (ARM) delivered the report Campus Violence Prevention and Response: Best Practices for Massachusetts Higher Education to the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education1. The report was commissioned in response to high-profile incidents of gun violence on college campuses including Virginia Tech in 2007 and Northern Illinois University in 2008. It outlined the nature and scope of campus violence in Massachusetts and nationally; highlighted established best practices for campus safety and violence prevention; reviewed existing campus safety and violence prevention practices in Massachusetts; and presented 27 recommendations for campus safety and violence prevention. In light of the recommendations contained in the Board of Higher Education report, the MCLA Director of Public Safety offered to the president the opinion that unarmed MCLA Campus Police officers posed a known foreseeable weakness in the safety and security practices of the College. The president and her senior leadership team reviewed the BHE and campus recommendations, and convened a series of campus conversations to share information and solicit input on the question of arming MCLA Campus Police officers as a possible solution. Information about the campus input process may be found on page 6, as well as in Appendix A on page 24.

The recommendations presented to the Board of Higher Education fell into several categories: Early Detection and Prevention Physical and Electronic Security Campus Police Department Mass Notification Policies and Procedures Emergency Response

A copy of the full report is available at the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education Web Site at: http://www.mass.edu/library/reports/CampusViolencePreventionAndResponse.pdf 1

The recommendations related to Campus Police Departments were: Recommendation #8: Campus police departments should have up-to-date active shooter response plans in place and train their officers in active shooter response tactics. Recommendation #9: Campus safety staffing levels should be adequate for the size and character of the school. Recommendation #10: Sworn campus police officers should be armed and trained in the use of personal or specialized firearms. Recommendation #11: Schools should ensure that the campus police department has the equipment necessary to gain forcible entry into locked buildings and classrooms. Since the release of the report in 2008, the College has advanced work in each on the 27 recommendations. In particular, MCLA campus police have taken steps to implement the recommendations specific to Campus Police Departments. Please refer to Appendix B (Page 26) for the status of MCLA response to the recommendations for campus safety and violence prevention.

MCLA Campus Police in Context

Six of nine MCLA Campus Police Officers have an active Massachusetts License to Carry (LTC) a firearm and currently carry or recently carried a firearm in an outside law enforcement position. Currently, five of nine Massachusetts State Universities have armed campus police officers. Four state universities use sworn police officers without firearms to police their campuses and rely on collaborations with outside law enforcement agencies for response to serious, harmful and/or lethal encounters. Massachusetts College of Art, for example, benefits from collaboration with both the Boston Police Department and the several institutions (including Northeastern University, Wentworth Institute of Technology, and Simmons College, among others) in its immediate vicinity. Arming is under consideration at two state universities (MCLA and Framingham). In addition, 19 of 26 of MCLAs peer institutions in the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC) have sworn and armed campus police officers. MCLA Campus Police Officers may be authorized to carry a firearm with the written authorization of the board or officer in charge.2 The following presents the arming status of the public higher education campuses in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (State Universities, University of Massachusetts, and Community Colleges), as well as the member institutions of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC). State University System Campus Bridgewater Fitchburg Framingham (Pending Firearms Action) MassArt MCLA Mass Maritime Salem Westfield Worcester Department Status Sworn Police Officers Sworn Police Officers Sworn Police Officers Sworn Police Officers Sworn Police Officers Sworn Police Officers Sworn Police Officers Sworn Police Officers Sworn Police Officers Firearms Status Firearms Firearms No Firearms No Firearms No Firearms No Firearms Firearms Firearms Firearms

Massachusetts General Laws (MGL), Chapter 269, Section 10(j). 3

University of Massachusetts System Campus University of Massachusetts Amherst University of Massachusetts Boston University of Massachusetts Dartmouth University of Massachusetts Lowell UMASS Worcester Medical Center Department Status Sworn Police Officers Sworn Police Officers Sworn Police Officers Sworn Police Officers Sworn Police Officers Firearms Firearms Firearms Firearms Firearms Firearms

Massachusetts Community College System Campus Berkshire Community College Bristol Community College Bunker Hill Community College Cape Cod Community College Greenfield Community College Department Status Firearms No Firearms No Firearms No Firearms No Firearms No Firearms No Firearms No Firearms No Firearms Firearms No Firearms No Firearms No Firearms No Firearms No Firearms No Firearms No Firearms

Security Sworn Police Officers Sworn Police Officers Sworn Police Officers Sworn Police Officers (Day) Security (Night) Holyoke Community College Sworn Police Officers Massachusetts Bay Community College Sworn Police Officers Massasoit Community College Sworn Police Officers Middlesex Community College Security Officers Mount Wachusett Community College Sworn Officers North Shore Community College Sworn Officers Northern Essex Community College Security Officers Quinsigamond Community College Sworn Officers Roxbury Community College Security Officers Springfield Technical Community College Sworn Officers

Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC) Institutions Campus Eastern Connecticut State University The Evergreen State College Fort Lewis College Georgia College & State University Henderson State University Keene State College Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts Midwestern State University New College of Florida Ramapo College of New Jersey Shepherd University Sonoma State University Southern Oregon University St. Mary's College of Maryland SUNY College at Geneseo Truman State University University of Alberta, Augustana Campus University of Illinois at Springfield University of Maine at Farmington University of Mary Washington University of Minnesota, Morris University of Montevallo Department Status Sworn Police Officers Sworn Police Officer Sworn Police Officers Sworn Police Officers Sworn Police Officers Non-Sworn Officers Sworn Police Officers Sworn Police Officers Sworn Police Officers Non-sworn Officers Sworn Police Officers Sworn Police Officers Non-sworn Officers Non-sworn Officers Sworn Police Officers Sworn Police Officers Sworn Police Officers Sworn Police Officers Sworn Police Officers Sworn Police Officers Sworn Police Officers Sworn Police Officer Security Officers University of North Carolina Asheville Sworn Police Officers University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma Non-Sworn Officers University of Virginia's College at Wise Sworn Police Officers University of Wisconsin-Superior Sworn Police Officers Security Firearms Status Firearms Firearms Firearms Firearms Firearms No Firearms No Firearms Firearms Firearms No Firearms Firearms Firearms No Firearms No Firearms Firearms Firearms No Firearms Firearms Firearms Firearms Firearms Firearms No Firearms Firearms No Firearms Firearms Firearms No Firearms

MCLA Process and Community Input Overview

Throughout 2011, the president convened a series of campus conversations and briefings to share information and solicit input on the question of arming MCLA Campus Police Officers. The Student Government Association (SGA) received a briefing on the arming question on May 2nd, 2011. Open campus meetings around the issue of arming MCLA Campus Police Officers took place on May 5th and 9th. The Board of Trustees was briefed on the status of arming campus police officers and campus meetings at their May 26, 2011, meeting. At the meeting, the Board approved a motion to recommend further study and developmental work around the issue. A meeting for campus neighbors was held in June to provide an opportunity for wider community input. Since September 2011 a series of meetings has been held, including meetings with campus collective bargaining unit leadership, faculty chairs, SGA, ALANA club council, Resident Advisor (RA) staff, Residence Area Advisory Boards, Student Affairs Division, Facilities and IT, and others. The Board of Trustees received an update from Director Charon at their September 27th meeting about research conducted on the elements of arming campus police and the process of community input to date. The Student Affairs committee of the Board received an update from Director Charon on October 11 about the information and concerns shared at stakeholder meetings. A summary of this update was presented to the Board as part of the committees report on October 27. Campus panel discussions with participation from faculty, staff, and students, and the North Adams Commissioner of Public Safety were held on November 16 and 17. Video of these panels was posted to the campus Web site to provide access to the entire campus community. The Executive committee of the Board received an update on the campus input process on December 1, including detail on the November 16 and 17 meetings. A meeting for College neighbors was held on December 8. There has been opportunity for Q&A and dialogue at every meeting. A summary of the November 16 and 17 panels follows. In addition, a full listing of community input sessions is included as Appendix A to this document (Page 24).

Summary of Campus Panel Discussions, November 16 and 17, 2011

In order to continue the campus conversation about arming public safety, and to provide an opportunity for students, faculty, and staff to share their thoughts on this issue, open meetings were held Wednesday, November 16th and Thursday, November 17th. Background presented at panels Campus conversations around the issue of arming MCLA campus police officers have been taking place since the spring of 2011. In September, Public Safety Director Joseph Charon updated the Board of Trustees on the progress of research and development work related to the arming of MCLA campus police officers. In addition, meetings have been taking place with small groups across campus since the beginning of the fall semester. The meetings followed a moderated panel discussion format, with opportunities for attendees to ask questions of the panelists. The meetings were videotaped, and are available on the campus Web site at: http://www.mcla.edu/campus_connection/publicsafetyvideos/. November 16, 2011 Panel Sullivan Lounge, 3:00 4:00 p.m. Moderator: Donald Pecor, History department Panelists (in order of randomly selected presentation): Gina Puc 07, Assistant Director of Freshman Admission Alex Mukendi, MCLA student, Class of 2013 John Morocco, Public Safety Commissioner, City of North Adams Dr. David Langston, English/Communications department The moderator provided an overview of the communication and input process that took place to date, with a series of public meetings held for a variety of constituencies (faculty, staff, and student groups). He also put the discussion that is taking place at MCLA in the context of state and national issues, including a 2008 report on campus safety practices commissioned by the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education (BHE). Among its 27 recommendations, this report recommended that Sworn campus police officers should be armed and trained in the use of personal or specialized firearms. In light of this information, each panelist offered a response to the question, Should MCLA Public Safety Officers be equipped with pistol firearms? Panelists were encouraged to speak from the perspective of their role on campus and in the community and to provide what each considered to be the best argument in favor of arming campus police officers and the best argument against this action.

Gina Puc: Speaking from the perspective of prospective students and families, Gina noted that todays students have grown up in a post-Columbine society in which many have experienced heightened security throughout their education. In addition, visiting parents ask detailed questions about campus safety practices. Finally, the fact that five of the nine state universities have armed campus police officers supports the case for arming MCLAs officers. Alex Mukendi: From his perspective as a student, Alex expressed appreciation for the fact MCLA provided an opportunity for dialogue around the complex issue of arming campus police. He noted that there are strong arguments on both sides of the issue. A point in favor of arming would be the potential risk of an unarmed officer being unable to respond appropriately in the case of a critical incident. A point against arming would be the possibility that arming officers would change the nature of the relationship between officers and other members of the campus community. Commissioner Morocco: Based on his years of law enforcement experience, the commissioner noted that the social environment has become more violent, with the use of guns more prevalent in crimes that are committed. He pointed to the fact that as special state police officers, MCLA campus police officers are trained in the use of firearms. Professor David Langston: Professor Langston expressed the belief that there is little evidence of rising violence on college campuses. He suggested that if firearms are provided to officers they be secured and only issued in the event of a critical incident. He also discussed the perception that guns communicate coercive intent, and that their presence would affect the sense of community on campus. Questions and discussion Topics discussed during the question and answer period included: The degree to which campus safety influences parent and student decisions around college choice; might students choose an institution that has armed campus police officers over MCLA? Might others choose MCLA over an institution where officers are not armed? The risk posed by not having armed officers in the event of a critical incident, and the likelihood of such an event taking place. The estimated cost of arming campus police officers. The effect arming campus police officers would have on the relationship between MCLA public safety and the North Adams Police Department. The current equipment MCLA campus police officers are issued, and the possibility of including additional non-lethal weapons (e.g., tasers) as part of their standard equipment. The social effects of arming campus police officers and the impact on the sense of community that exists at MCLA.

November 17, 2011 Panel Murdock 218, 11:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. Moderator: Donald Pecor, History department Panelists (in order of randomly selected presentation): Stephanie Esposito, MCLA student, Class of 2012 Brandon Pender 07, Alumni Relations Coordinator Dr. David Eve, Computer Science and Business departments John Morocco, Public Safety Commissioner, City of North Adams The moderator provided an overview of the communication and input process that took place to date, with a series of public meetings held for a variety of constituencies (faculty, staff, and student groups). He also put the discussion that is taking place at MCLA in the context of state and national issues, including a 2008 report on campus safety practices commissioned by the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education (BHE). Among its 27 recommendations, this report recommended that Sworn campus police officers should be armed and trained in the use of personal or specialized firearms. In light of this information, each panelist offered a response to the question, Should MCLA Public Safety Officers be equipped with pistol fire arms? Panelists were encouraged to speak from the perspective of their role on campus and in the community. Stephanie Esposito: Stephanie discussed arguments on both sides of the arming issues. She noted that an argument against arming is that some students may not feel safe around firearms. On the other side of the argument, she observed that having armed campus police officers might result in a quicker response time during a critical incident, and the presence of firearms might foster a feeling of safety. Brandon Pender: Brandon spoke about the expanding footprint of the campus, and the downtown location of the Advancement Office and MCLA Gallery 51. He noted a recent incident near the Advancement Office where both North Adams Police and MCLA campus police responded. He offered the opinion that campus police officers who are charged with protecting the MCLA community also need to have the necessary tools to protect themselves, and are more familiar with campus buildings and facilities than outside responding agencies (e.g., North Adams Police) would be. Professor David Eve: Professor Eve spoke to the complexity and strong emotions the arming issue raises within the community. He suggested that providing officers with a lethal force option might result in a shift in the dynamics between campus police and students, and it is important to be aware of and to monitor this dynamic. He posed that firearms be issued in the event of a critical incident.

Commissioner Morocco: The commissioner indicated his belief that an officers badge, rather than their service weapon, is the defining symbol of their role. He characterized firearms as tools of the job. He discussed the use of force continuum, in which the use of a firearm is the final step in an officers response. He spoke about the training and annual qualifications that officers undergo when they carry a service weapon. Questions and discussion Topics discussed during the question and answer period included: The notion that having weapons on campus perpetuates violence. The relationship between North Adams Police Department staffing levels and the need for armed campus police officers at MCLA; NAPD officers patrol the entire city, and their duties might place them on the other side of the city from campus at the time of a critical incident, which would increase response times. The evidence that armed campus police officers reduce campus violence. The follow up procedures that would be implemented in the event of the discharge of a firearm by a campus police officer. The opportunity for campus review of public safety policies and procedures related to firearms prior to the arming of campus police officers. The current equipment MCLA campus police officers are issued, and the possibility of including non-lethal weapons (e.g., tasers) as part of their standard equipment.

10

Additional Campus Response

In addition to open meetings for community input, stakeholders on campus collected information to sample campus opinion on the issue of arming MCLA Campus Police Officers. Student Government Association The Student Government Association (SGA) held a referendum on December 6th-7th. Out of 1,690 undergraduate MCLA students, 455 participated in the referendum, which posed the following question, and offered respondents the option of a Yes or No vote: Based on the college campus discussions and information provided, do you support the arming of the campus police? The results were as follows: 147 Yes votes (32%) 308 No votes (68%) Following the referendum, the Student Senate of SGA voted 10-4 to endorse the results of the vote, and to officially oppose the arming of campus police. Massachusetts State College Association (MSCA) MCLA Faculty Association The MCLA chapter of the Massachusetts State College Association (MSCA), the collective bargaining unit that represents the 190 full-time and part time faculty at MCLA, as well as one academic librarian, conducted two informal surveys on the question, Should MCLA Campus Police be armed? In the first survey, department chairs conducted informal polls on the question of arming MCLA campus police officers. Of 55 respondents, there were: 4 Yes votes (7%) 51 No votes (93%) In addition, the Faculty Association conducted an email survey to determine faculty support for arming MCLA campus police officers. Of 68 respondents, there were: 9 Yes votes (13%) 59 No votes (87%) Note: The process and reporting the respective counts may include duplication in the case of individual members of the faculty association who responded to both surveys. At the time of the surveys, the MSCA chapter president noted the union would not take a formal stand, but reserved the right to comment at a later date.
11

Association of Public Administrators (APA) MCLA Chapter In late November, the Association of Public Administrators (APA) chapter at MCLA conducted an informal email poll of its membership. Thirty-six of 71 APA members responded to the poll, with the following results 15 Agree with arming Campus Police Officers (42%) 16 Disagree with arming Campus Police Officers (44%) 5 Expressed no preference (14%) In communicating this result, the APA chapter president noted the union would not take a formal stand at present, but would continue to discuss the issue with chapter members and with members of the College administration.

12

Summary of campus opinion around the question of arming MCLA Campus Police Officers
Arguments in favor of arming campus police officers Recommendation in BHE report that campus police officers be armed. Parent concerns and expectations about campus safety practices. The primary focus of MCLAs safety and security efforts is the protection of human life; preparation and prevention are the strongest deterrents to threats to human life. The College has an obligation to provide campus police officers, who may go into harms way in pursuit of preserving human life, with the best training and equipment to position them to be able to protect themselves as well as to protect members of the MCLA community, neighbors, and visitors. Sworn police officers have a duty to act; not being armed limits officers duty to act by creating disparities of force. Armed campus police officers would be able to respond more quickly during a critical incident. Transferring responsibility to outside law enforcement agencies during a critical incident places additional limits on the Colleges ability to control and influence the outcome; outside law enforcement agencies are not as familiar with MCLAs demographics, geography and preferred response to critical incidents. Potential liability in the event of a critical campus incident. The expansion of the campus footprint to include downtown sites increases expectation of services provided, and also potentially increases risk to officers. MCLA has seen an increase in violent crime on campus, including incidents involving lethal weapons such as knives and firearms. Criminal activity in the area has increased3. MCLA Campus Police are professionally trained, meet the same, if not higher, standards of training and certifications as their peers and patrol the campus each day. They are best positioned to know the campus which would support increased knowledge and judgment during a critical incident. Investing responsibility to respond to critical incidents in an outside agency (e.g., North Adams Police or Massachusetts State Police) is not always reliable or economically feasible.

Please refer to Appendix C on page 29 for MCLA and City of North Adams crime statistics 2008-2010. 13

Arguments against arming campus police officers What is the social cost? Arming officers may change the nature of the relationship between officers and other members of the campus community. The belief that there is little evidence of rising violence on college campuses, and that incidents of mass shootings are statistical anomalies. Unclear connection between arming and enhanced safety and security for MCLA community members. Other non-lethal tools (e.g., tasers) may be more appropriate to the nature of the MCLA community and the types of risks faced here. There is a need for campus review of public safety policies and procedures related to firearms prior to the arming of campus police officers. Making firearms standard duty equipment is unnecessary; providing access to firearms only in the event of a critical incident may be more appropriate. The perception that firearms communicate coercive intent. Members of the MCLA community may not feel safe around firearms. Concerns that arming may the democratic community at MCLA, and is not in harmony with an educational mission. Potential liability related to use of firearms.

14

Profile: Department of Public Safety - Campus Police

The Department of Public Safetys Campus Police Officers and employees play an important role in the safety and security of the campus by helping to maintain an environment that is safe and conducive for living and learning for all of our community members and guests. All officers of the department are sworn and warranted Special State Police officers. They are police academy and field training officer trained. Campus police officers are certified First Responders in CPR/AED (automated external defibrillator), first aid, and medical emergencies. Each member of the department receives yearly in-service training in a variety of subjects, and individual officers also receive additional specialized training related to their duties, proficiencies, and responsibilities4. The training and professional development they receive prepares MCLA campus police officers to carry out their duties and responsibilities, including enforcing local and state laws and ordinances; enforcing college rules and regulations; investigating/documenting reports of crime, motor vehicle accidents, injuries and college violations; campus emergency response; management of critical incidents; identifying life safety issues; and crime statistics documentation. In particular, MCLA campus police officers are trained in the continuum of force relative to the equipment they carry. If issued firearms, training would build on this foundation. Of the nine officers within the MCLA Department of Public Safety Campus Police Officers who attended certified law enforcement academies go through an annual review conducted by the Massachusetts State Police to ensure they have met mandated certification and training standards serve or have served in the military or government service currently serve as officers with municipal police departments in addition to their MCLA service are eligible to hold a Massachusetts licenses to carry firearms are currently licensed hold between 5 and 50 qualifications and certifications in numerous law enforcement areas holds a Masters degree in Criminal Justice hold Bachelors degrees in Criminal Justice hold Associates degrees in Criminal Justice has completed substantial coursework toward a bachelors degree is a high school graduate with 15 years experience as a sworn and warranted police officer Number 9 9 3 5 9 6 9 1 4 2 1 1

A summary of professional development coursework completed by MCLA campus police officers is included as Appendix D to this document, page 30. 15

Tasks related to arming MCLA Campus Police Officers

Concerns regarding the arming of MCLA Campus Police Officers will be addressed by providing the highest levels of training, standards and equipment, screening and policy development and implementation.

Phase 1: Policies and Preparation (March 2012) Review, update, and develop campus policies related to campus police officers as appropriate to ensure alignment with state and national firearms and use of force best practices and standards. Conduct psychological suitability screenings of MCLA campus police officers being considered for issuance of duty firearms, and review results. Contract with Massachusetts Criminal Justice Training Council to train MCLA campus police officers in all new and updated policies related to issuance of duty firearms. Develop firearms training and retraining schedule.

Phase 2: Training Phase in purchase of firearms and related safety equipment necessary for training. Contract with Massachusetts Criminal Justice Training Council to train and qualify MCLA campus police officers in the use of duty firearms.

Phase 3: Review Final review of policies, suitability screening and training, and equipment inventory, including those purchased for training. Progress report to Board of Trustees (May 2012).

Phase 4: Implementation (Summer 2012)

Issuance of duty firearms to MCLA campus police officers. Yearly in-service firearms training conducted by Massachusetts Criminal Justice Training Council.

16

Costs associated with arming MCLA Campus Police Officers

1. Implementation one time costs Category Suitability screening Firearms training Equipment (firearms, ammunition, safety and storage) Total 2. Annual Costs Category Firearms range training for all officers to maintain qualification to carry duty firearm Amount $6,026 Amount $5,874 $6,240 $12,521 $24,635

17

Appendix A: List of Informational and Input Sessions

Spring 2011
Health and Welfare Work Team Student Affairs Leadership Team BOT Executive Committee BOT Academic Affairs Committee BOT Student Affairs Committee Faculty Chairs Meeting Union Leadership (AFSCME, APA, MSCA) Student Government Association (SGA) Presidents ALANA Student Advisory (PASA) Beacon Staff Student Affairs Division Campus Meeting BOT Fiscal Affairs Committee Campus Meeting Board of Trustees Tuesday, April 5 Wednesday, April 6 Wednesday, April 13 Wednesday, April 27 Thursday, April 28 Friday, April 29 Monday, May 2 Monday, May 2 Tuesday, May 3 Tuesday, May 3 Wednesday, May 4 Thursday, May 5 Monday, May 9 Monday, May 9 Thursday, May 26

Summer 2011
North Adams Community Meeting Downtown Merchants Meeting College Neighbors Meeting Thursday, June 16 Thursday, August 4 Thursday, August 25

18

Fall 2011
Health and Welfare Work Team Student Affairs Leadership Team MSCA Faculty Chairs Meeting Beacon Staff APA Admissions/Enrollment Management Staff CSSE and Library Staff (2 meetings) AFSCME Board of Trustees Update SGA Executive Board ALANA Club Council Meeting SGA Meeting Presidents ALANA Student Advisory (PASA) Facilities and IT Staff Resident Advisor Staff Student Affairs Division BOT SA Committee Inter-Greek Council Residence Area Advisory Board s College Community Panels College Neighbors Meeting Board of Trustees Update Tuesday, September 13 Wednesday, September 14 Wednesday, September 14 Friday, September 16 Friday, September 16 Monday, September 19 Friday, September 23 Monday, September 26 Tuesday, September 27 Thursday, September 27 Wednesday, September 28 Friday, September 30 Monday, October 3 Tuesday, October 4 Tuesday, October 4 Tuesday, October 4 Wednesday, October 5 Tuesday, October 11 Tuesday, October 11 Monday, October 17 Wednesday, November 16 and Thursday, November 17 Thursday, December 8 December 15

Spring 2012 Board of Trustees Executive Committee

19

January 17

Appendix B: Status of MCLA Response to the Recommendations for Campus Safety and Violence Prevention
Source: Campus Violence Prevention and Response: Best Practices for Massachusetts Higher Education report, 20085 Category Early Detection and Prevention Recommendation 1 Recommendation MCLA Status

Recommendation 2 Recommendation 3

Campus mental health services should be clearly available and easily accessible to students. Schools should offer specialized mental health services, not just generalized services. Writings, drawings, and other forms of individual expression reflecting violent fantasy and causing a faculty member to be fearful or concerned about safety, should be evaluated contextually for any potential threat.

Complete

Complete In progress

Physical and Electronic Security Recommendation 4

Schools should ensure that all exterior doors are properly constructed and lockable.

Recommendation 5

Recommendation 6 Recommendation 7 Campus Police Department Recommendation 8

Schools should develop a reasonable plan for electronic access control in the event of an emergency. Schools should install CCTV cameras throughout their campuses. Schools should equip all classrooms with emergency signaling/notification capabilities.

Survey of doors complete; replacement and repair ongoing Plan in progress

Under review Complete; ongoing review

Recommendation 9

Campus police departments should have up-todate active shooter response plans in place and train their officers in active shooter response tactics. Campus safety staffing levels should be adequate for the size and character of the school.

Plan in place; training required

Staff hired; ongoing assessment

A copy of the full report is available at the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education Web Site at: http://www.mass.edu/library/reports/CampusViolencePreventionAndResponse.pdf 20

Recommendation 10

Recommendation 11

Sworn campus police officers should be armed and trained in the use of personal or specialized firearms. Schools should ensure that the campus police department has the equipment necessary to gain forcible entry into locked buildings and classrooms. Schools should have a communications system that is interoperable with outside agencies. Schools should establish a formal policy for use of their mass notification system.

Evaluation in process

Complete

Mass Notification Recommendation 12 Recommendation 13 Policies and Procedures Recommendation 14

Complete; ongoing review Complete

Recommendation 15 Recommendation 16 Recommendation 17 Recommendation 18 Recommendation 19

Recommendation 20 Recommendation 21

Recommendation 22

Schools should have in place a formal policy outlining how and to whom faculty and staff should refer students who appear to have the potential for becoming violent. Faculty and staff should receive training in identifying students at risk. Faculty and staff should receive training in managing difficult interactions and situations. Faculty and staff should be informed about the appropriate protocol in the event of a crisis. Schools should include public safety as part of the orientation process. Graduate student applicants should be directly queried regarding any unusual academic histories, as well as criminal records and disciplinary actions. Schools should conduct vulnerability assessments at least once per year. Schools should form mutual aid agreements or have Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with agencies in the community having necessary support resources, such as mental health service providers, emergency medical response services, and law enforcement agencies. Schools should have multiple reporting systems that permit campus community members to report suspicious behavior anonymously and conveniently.

Process in place; policy development underway Training plan being developed In progress In progress Complete In progress

Complete; ongoing review In progress; MOUs being developed

Under review

21

Emergency Response Recommendation 23

Recommendation 24 Recommendation 25

Recommendation 26

Recommendation 27

Every college and university should review and update its Emergency Response Plan (ERP) on a regular basis. Every school should form, train and maintain a Threat Assessment Team (TAT). The TAT should consist of representatives from various departments and agencies, minimally comprised of student services and counseling staff, faculty, police, human resources personnel, and legal counsel. Each school should have a trained behavioral health Trauma Response Team (TRT), either on campus or through a contract or formal agreement. Schools should plan for victim services and aftermath issues.

Complete; ongoing review Complete Complete

In progress

In progress

22

Appendix C: MCLA and City of North Adams Crime Statistics 2008-2010

Criminal Offenses - On-Campus6 Criminal Offense Murder/Non-negligent manslaughter Negligent Manslaughter Sex offenses - Forcible Sex offenses - Non-forcible Robbery Aggravated Assault Burglary Motor Vehicle Theft Arson 2008 0 0 1 0 0 0 19 0 0 2009 0 0 1 0 1 0 21 0 0 2010 0 0 0 0 2 1 9 0 0

FBI Uniform Crime Statistics North Adams, Massachusetts7 Criminal Offense Violent Crime Murder and Nonnegligent Manslaughter Forcible Rape Robbery Aggravated Assault Property Crime Burglary Larceny-Theft Motor Vehicle Theft Arson 2008 85 1 4 5 75 634 251 355 28 4 2009 2010 114 128 0 0 1 7 4 9 109 112 521 616 207 302 302 421 12 21 2 4

Source: Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, Annual Clery Report (revised August 2011) http://www.mcla.edu/Student_Life/publicsafety/cleryreport/. 7 Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation Uniform Crime Reports, http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/ucr. 23

Appendix D: Summary of Existing MCLA Campus Police Officer Professional Development Coursework
In addition to their training as sworn and warranted special Massachusetts State Police officers, MCLA Campus Police Officers participate in a range of professional development and continuing education courses related to their position. A representative sample of recent courses completed by MCLA campus police officers (from 2008-2011) includes: MPTC8 Defensive Tactics: Officer Safety MPTC and MSP9 First Responder MPTC Legal Issues Update MPTC Sexual Assault: Special Populations MPTC Domestic Violence Annual Legal Updates Motor Vehicle Stop S.A.F.E.ty Conflict of Interest Law and Policing Conflict of Interest Laws for All State Employees Detecting a Counterfeit Massachusetts Driver's License Effective Communication Field Sobriety Testing Handgun Home Safety Handling Personal Information for All State Employees IS-100 Incident Command System Level 100 IS-700 National Incident Management System (NIMS) Law Enforcement's Initial Response to Child Sexual Abuse Muslim Cultural Awareness Persons with Disabilities and Law Enforcement Racial and Gender Profiling Service Animals and the Law Sikh Cultural Awareness Understanding and Preventing Sexual Harassment for All State Employees Use of Force Work Zone Safety Club Drugs Hate Crimes Officer Safety Oversize Vehicles Safeguarding Classified and Sensitive Information

Municipal Police Training Committee, an agency of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security 9 Massachusetts State Police 24