Arrest Authority and Relationships with Other Agencies
The Police officers employed by The South Carolina State Police Department are appointed and commissioned as State Constables by the Governor of South Carolina as provided by Title 23, Chapter 1, article 60, Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, as amended. They are empowered to enforce the laws of South Carolina, including the powers of arrest, anywhere in the state. Because these officers have statewide authority, they sometimes investigate crime on other than university property and make arrests for off-campus crimes that they witness.
The South Carolina State University Police Department has worked closely with many other law enforcement agencies over the years. Because of where the university is geographically located, any crime that occurs on campus may occur in the city or county. The Department has worked with federal, state, county and municipal law enforcement agencies to investigate matters of mutual interest. The Department participates in intelligence sharing associations with all areas of law enforcement agencies. The Department has a successful professional relationship with our local and state prosecutors, the court system, the coroner’s office, insurance and other private investigators, and our regulatory agencies.
Clery Act
The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act is the landmark federal law, originally known as the Campus Security Act, that requires colleges and universities across the United States to disclose information about crime on and around their campuses.
Because the law is tied to participation in federal student financial aid programs it applies to most institutions of higher education both public and private. It is enforced by the U.S. Department of Education.
The "Clery Act" is named in memory of 19-year-old Lehigh University freshman Jeanne Ann Clery who was raped and murdered while asleep in her residence hall room on April 5, 1986.
Jeanne's parents, Connie and Howard, discovered that students hadn't been told about 38 violent crimes on the Lehigh campus in the three years before her murder. They joined with other campus crime victims and persuaded Congress to enact this law, which was originally known as the "Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act of 1990."
The law was amended in 1992 to add a requirement that schools afford the victims of campus sexual assault certain basic rights, and was amended again in 1998 to expand the reporting requirements. The 1998 amendments also formally named the law in memory of Jeanne Clery.
Information about crime on and around the campus of South Carolina State University and any other university in the country can be accessed at http://ope.ed.gov/security/Search.asp or on this website in “Crime Statistics” or “Related Links” under “US Department of Education Post Secondary Education.”
The law was most recently amended in 2000 to require schools beginning in 2003 to notify the campus community about where public "Megan's Law" information about registered sex offenders on campus could be obtained.
Ways to Report a Crime
Advising proper authorities of a crime may be done in several different ways. The easiest way is to simply call emergency 9-1-1 or non-emergency (803)536-7188 and have an officer respond. You may visit the University Police Department at 300 College St., N.E., Orangeburg, S.C, 29117. Emergency call boxes are placed conspicuously around the campus at the Rear Parking Lot of Wilkinson Hall, in the Student Center Mall Area in front of Earle Hall and at the corner of Lance Street and Pepper Street (behind Miller F. Whittaker Library). These are intended to provide members of our community with a convenient and quick method of contacting South Carolina State University Police Officers in the event of an emergency.
By pressing the “emergency” button on this box, you are immediately placed in contact with the police. A blue light on the call box unit will begin to flash. Use this box to report any type of emergency whether fire, medical, crime-in-progress or if you simply need police assistance. Please remember it is for “Emergency Use Only.” Regardless of the method used to contact us, remember to let us know: Who; What; When; Where; and How.
If you think someone is following you and you do not want to stop at the call box, press the button and keep moving or proceed to the nearest Residential Hall or other University Buildings that may be opened. This will allow officers to determine your direction of travel so that they may intercept you and provide assistance.
Policy for Prompt Reporting of Crimes
Preventing crime is a responsibility that is shared between law enforcement and the population it serves. South Carolina State University Police Department crime prevention is equally shared between the South Carolina Police Department, the faculty, staff, students, and visitors. Every individual needs to realize that apathy promotes criminal activity and personal involvement prevents it. Do not become apathetic if you witness something suspicious. Do not assume someone else has, or will, report it. If you suspect a crime is being committed or has been committed, contact the South Carolina State University Police Department at (803) 536-7188; if it is an emergency call 9-1-1 or utilize one of the call boxes located on campus. If you reside off campus, contact our local law enforcement.
When you call the police, be prepared to provide the following information:
- Your name and telephone number; the type of incident or suspicious activity
- The location of the incident about which you are reporting
- The description of the suspect and his/her location or direction of escape
- The description of any vehicles involved in the incident
- And if medical assistance is needed
In the event that a notice or warning is necessary to the University and/or community, several methods have been identified to disseminate information.
- If a problem appears to be confined to a building or group of buildings, we will notify by telephone or by posting the affected area in the form of door hangers or posters. In extreme situations, we will work with housing in the form of residential meetings or meetings with the members of the affected classroom or administrative buildings. The University Computer Center has the ability to mass e-mail and/or voice mails may be sent to those affected by a local advisory. Any warnings or advisories affecting a part or all of the university community will be posted on the South Carolina State University Police Department Web Page.
- When the need arises to notify the entire community, we will utilize our radio station WSSB to make public service announcements as necessary.
The South Carolina State University Police Department will respond to all reports of crime immediately and with the proper resources. Reports of crimes in progress, 911 calls, call-box, and other calls involving imminent threat to human life or extreme property damage normally will result in more than one unit responding to the incident location.
Because of the nature of the crime, victims of sexual assault are afforded extra sensitivity and humane consideration. All officers receive specialized training in the investigation of sex offenses. This training includes South Carolina statutory law, university philosophy and policy, supports resources, victim sensitivity training and methods of successful investigation. The South Carolina State University Police Department’s Investigator has specialized training in the areas of sexual assault and relationship violence.
After receiving a report of sexual assault, the University Police Department will:
- Dispatch the proper number of officers to the victim’s location;
- Notify the Sexual Assault Investigator; and
- Notify University’s Counseling Center and the Victim/Witness Coordinator.
- Restraining orders and/or orders of protection;
- Relocating the victim;
- Transportation and escort provisions;
- Special parking arrangements;
- Special arrangements for parents and/or witnesses in crisis situations;
- Any other appropriate safety arrangements.
- Treat victims of sexual assault with courtesy, sensitivity and understanding;
- Act thoughtfully, without prejudging or blaming the victim;
- Inform a victim of services available both on and off campus;
- Answer victims’ questions and assist in explaining the criminal justice system;
- Keep victims informed on the progress of the case; and
- Withhold a victim’s identifying information from the public and the press, in accordance with South Carolina law.
The collection of crime statistics for the South Carolina State University Police Department is the responsibility of the Investigation Division. This office reports all incident reports for accuracy and compliance with reporting guidelines established by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and FBI. Incidents of crimes will be entered into a computerized data base and forwarded to SLED on a monthly basis. This uniform crime reporting allows the public to check the website and compare incidents of reported crime between law enforcement agencies.
The Investigation Division provides a daily log of all crime reports inspection. This log is available for review in the lobby of the South Carolina State University Police Department.
- The nature, date, time and general location of each crime; and
- The disposition of the complaint, if known
- The Vice President of Student Services
- The Director of Housing
- The Counseling Self- Development Center
- The Director of Athletics
- The Infirmary
- Residential Managers
In addition, Local Law Enforcement Agencies are surveyed yearly for statistics of criminal events that take place in public areas adjacent to University Property. These reports are included in the Annual Security Report.
ACCESS AND SECURITY OF CAMPUS FACILITIES
- Residence Hall - Residence hall entrances are staffed with either Contracted Security or Housing Personnel Employees that are charged with the responsibility of checking the identification of those entering residences as well as the enforcement of curfews, housing rules and policies. They also have direct contact with the South Carolina State University Police Department by two-way radio or telephone.
- Classrooms - Classroom buildings and individual rooms are under the protection of the South Carolina State University Police Department. These buildings are within designated patrol sectors and are patrolled twenty-four hours a day and seven days a week. Patrol Officers provide an added measure of security by patrolling the campus and acting as eyes and ears for the community.
- Libraries and other Public Buildings - Many areas of the South Carolina State University are open to the public. Extra attention is given to these areas in the routine patrol plan as well as the policy of individual buildings. Some of these buildings are monitored by security alarms.
- Athletic Stadium, Coliseum, and Arenas - Metal detectors are used at events at Smith, Hammond, and Middleton Memorial Center. Bags are searched at all football games held at the Oliver C. Dawson Stadium. Law Enforcement and Contract Security Personnel work all events. Any suspicious activities are reported and investigated by South Carolina State University Police Department. Security measures are customized for the event that is being held.
- General Campus - In addition to routine patrol at the university, the Police Department utilizes additional Patrol Officers to create a concentrated police presence in areas frequented by students at night and at events on campus. Off-Duty Law Enforcement personnel and Contracted Security provides security for Organization Sponsored Events on campus.
Violent crimes occur very infrequently on campus. We do, however, experience a variety of other crimes. Theft is one of the more prevalent crimes that occur on campus. We have a tendency to leave valuables unattended in our vehicles, residential halls, and our work sites. Remember, lock your vehicles and remove your valuables from plain view. Lock your residential hall room whenever you leave it, even if it is only for a few seconds. The same applies to Faculty and Staff. Whenever you leave your office lock your door. Keep your valuables secured at all times. Do not leave wallets, book bags, or computers unattended. These items are prime targets because they can be disposed of very easily.
The University Police Department is very proactive in its efforts to keep the university informed about criminal activities and how to combat them. Our Safety Presentations are used to educate and inform our Faculty, Staff and Students on methods of personal safety. Our Presentations cover the following topics.
- Residential Safety - Methods of securing your residence on or off campus
- Campus Safety - Methods of personal protection
- Work Place Violence Prevention - Identifying warning signs of workplace violence and implementing preventive measures
- Sexual Assault Prevention - A program designed to identify individuals who have a Tendency of sexual aggression and to identify resources Available to deal with his aggression.
- Project ID - Free engraving of personal property
DRUG & ALCOHOL POLICY
South Carolina State University is always concerned about the use and abuse of alcohol and drugs on our campus. We are in compliance with the Drug Free School Act of 1989.
Our Drug and Alcohol policy is available to everyone. We encourage our students, faculty and staff to become familiar with our policy which is located at University Police Department or in the student handbook. An education and counseling program for Alcohol and Drug abuse is also provided. You may call (803) 536-7245 for additional information.
The South Carolina State University Police department is very concerned about our students improper or illegal use of Alcohol and Drugs. We work with the Office of Student Services and our Counseling Department to educate our students on responsible use of Alcohol.
Our officers do refer students who violate Alcohol and Drug Laws to our Judicial Board for counseling, discipline or other programs designed to help our students. Underage Alcohol drinking violations are handled through our University Judicial Board for adjudication.
Violations of our Drug Laws are processed through our Criminal Justice system.
ALCOHOL & DRUG PROGRAMS
South Carolina State University’s Alcohol and Drug Program is designed to provide education and prevention services for our students. The program also encourages and empowers our students to be involved in Alcohol Free events and activities.
The Counseling and Self Development Center which is located adjacent to Brooks Infirmary offers information on Alcohol and Drugs through the following:
- Video tapes
- Flyers
- Journals
- Brochures
- Articles
- Campus Alcohol and Drug Surveys
CADEP (Campus Alcohol Drug Education & Prevention Club) provides prevention and education services for students. CADEP hopes to foster an environment on campus that offers healthy alternatives to alcohol and other drug use and abuse. For those who chose to drink, we assist them in recognizing ways to do so with lower risks.
“RISQUE Business” through Freshman Programs is performed every semester by our Student Orientation Leaders. It is a live Performance that brings awareness to campus issues such as date rape, drinking & driving, smoking, drugs, drug testing, suicide, disorders, AIDS, STD’s, racism and intolerance. Each performance lasts approximately one hour.
Awareness campaigns such as SOBER FEST and National Alcohol Sobriety Day is held each year to bring awareness to the potential dangers of alcohol and other drug use.
Student Services and Emergency Numbers
Campus Emergency Phone 9-1-1
Dial this number from any campus phone for fire, medical, or police assistance. If you feel threatened--Don’t Delay!
CASA – (Citizens Against Sexual Assault)
(803)531-6211 or 1-800-298-7288
Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Victim/Witness Coordinator @ South Carolina State University
(803)536-8952 or (803)536-7188
South Carolina State University Counseling Self Development Center
(803)536-7245
Brooks Health Center
(803)536-8531
Alumni Relations
(803)536-8946
Student Services
(803)536-8190
The Statiete Creed
As a member of the community of scholars at South Carolina State University, I obligate myself to the pursuit of academic excellence, model citizenship, and cultural and social inclusiveness.
As a Stateite…
- I will assume personal responsibility for my intellectual, cultural, and social growth.
- I will practice academic integrity.
- I will value the individualism and the dignity of people.
- I will respect the rights and property of others.
- I will work for the common good of South Carolina State University in both my speech and my actions.