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Student Policies & Regulations

INTRODUCTION

The Community College of Rhode Island College Police/Security Department is a multi-campus law enforcement department with the responsibility of protecting life and property. Working together, security at the Community College of Rhode Island is everyone’s business. No community, of course, can be totally risk-free in today’s society so we need to all work together. Students are partners with other College employees in creating an atmosphere that is safe and conducive to learning. The Community College maintains a Campus Police/Security Department with personnel available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. A person may report any criminal action or any other emergency at any time by calling any of the listed telephone numbers below. A person may also come in person to the Campus Police/Security Department at any of the locations listed to file a complaint.

• Knight Campus is located on the ground floor in the main building.
• Flanagan Campus is located in the main building on the lower level of module 3.
• Liston Campus is on the first floor at the main entrance to the building.
• Newport Campus is located in the basement floor of the building.

• TABLE OF CONTENTS
  • CRIME AWARENESS & CAMPUS SECURITY ACT
  • SCREENING AND DISCIPLINE
  • DANGEROUS OR DEADLY WEAPONS OR DEVICES
  • ACCESS TO BUILDINGS
  • ALCOHOL AND DRUGS
  • PERSONAL SAFETY AND CRIME PREVENTION
  • SMOKING
  • MOTORIST ASSISTS
  • LOST AND FOUND PROPERTY
  • TEXTBOOKS
  • FIRE ALARMS
  • PERSONAL PROPERTY PROTECTION
  • REPORTING SERIOUS INCIDENTS
  • TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS
  • SEXUAL ASSAULT POLICY
  • PARKING AND TRAFFIC REGULATIONS

THE CRIME AWARENESS AND CAMPUS SECURITY ACT

The Student Right To Know and Campus Crime Awareness Act of 1990 mandates that all universities and colleges report certain information relating to campus crime statistics and campus police/security policies of that institution. In addition, the law also requires the college to prepare, publish, and make available to all current students and employees, and to any applicant for enrollment or employment upon request, an annual police/security report. The report must include such information about campus police/security policies and crime statistics of that institution.

The Department’s staff consists of a Director, Assistant Director, one Captain, two Lieutenants, one Administrative Assistant, three Sergeants, and nineteen College Police and Campus Police/Security Officers. The Police/Security Department hires students during peak periods to provide additional office service support.

Dedicated enforcement of college regulations, coupled with crime prevention and safety programs, help to meet these responsibilities. The Department strives to provide the high quality of safety and crime prevention services required to meet the needs of a progressive academic institution.

The authority for College Police Officers is granted by the Board of Governors for Higher Education under Rhode Island State Law. College Police Officers have the same authority, which is conferred upon municipal police in the State of Rhode Island. Their authority includes the right to issue Rhode Island Traffic Tribunal summons. The Department, therefore maintains a close working relationship with the local police departments. The Police/Security Department maintains a strong working relationship with the Office of Student Affairs, the College Judiciary Committee, Student Government, Physical Plant, and other campus/non-campus organizations.

The Police/Security Department has many responsibilities including campus patrol, both on foot and in vehicles, preventing, detecting and investigation of criminal activities, evening escort services, assistance to the handicapped, fire safety services, crime prevention services, general building security and safety patrols and special events security. The Department is also responsible for issuing parking permits, parking control, and motor vehicle and pedestrian control on campus.

The Police/Security Department makes every effort to prevent crime by providing highly-visible patrols. Police/Security personnel respond quickly to the needs of individuals on campus and the college community in general. When a complaint is received, an officer is dispatched to investigate and take appropriate action. All major crimes that occur on campus are referred to the local police department within the jurisdiction where the crime was committed. When a student is involved, he/she is also referred to the Dean of Students Office for appropriate action.

To help meet the training goals of the department, officers are sent to the Municipal Police Academy and receive extensive police training. Officers also work under the direct supervision of a lieutenant/sergeant and receive instructions on basic police/security procedures, report writing, and patrol procedures. Officers receive instruction on C.P.R. from a certified instructor. All new officers receive field training under a coach system. New members are assigned to a senior Police/Security Officer and are provided instruction in all facets of the Police/Security Department operation. Police/Security Officers are also required to attend workshops and in-house training.

SCREENING AND DISCIPLINE

The Community College of Rhode Island complies with all federal, state and local regulations relating to prohibit criminal conduct, including those which regulate the possession, use, and sale of alcoholic beverages, controlled substances, and firearms. Regulations governing student conduct are contained within the Student Handbook. Employees are notified by the Office of Personnel Services of all pertinent regulations.

In compliance with state law, a background investigation is conducted by the Rhode Island State Police on every applicant selected for a position within the Police/Security and Safety Department.

DANGEROUS OR DEADLY WEAPONS OR DEVICES

The Community College of Rhode Island has maintained a long-standing policy prohibiting weapons on any of its campuses.

The introduction of guns, knives, or other devices on campus is potentially dangerous to the entire College community and inconsistent with a safe learning environment. Faculty staff and students are, therefore, advised that the introduction of any weapon is a direct violation of policy and a serious breach of security that will require immediate discipline, up to and including dismissal.

Anyone aware of a potential violation of the No Weapons Policy should contact the Office of the Dean of Administration at 401-825-2449 or the Director of Security at 401-825-2109. Your cooperation is extremely important.

ACCESS TO BUILDINGS

The Police/Security Department is responsible for unlocking and securing all campus buildings according to scheduled activities. Police/Security Officers will assist any faculty or staff member that needs access to the buildings or their office after normal business hours. The Department also maintains a strict key control system, and works closely with the college locksmith. All requests for building and office keys must be submitted and approved by the Police/Security Department before any keys are issued. Whenever police/security personnel find broken locks or doors, a report is sent the college locksmith requesting immediate repairs. Although security is on duty 24 hours, the department requests that all persons leave the building by 11:00 pm except during special events. When leaving the building during the evening hours, security officers will escort students to their vehicles upon request.

ALCOHOL AND DRUGS

In accordance with federal, state and college laws and regulations, the college prohibits the use, sale or possession of any illegal drugs or alcohol on the premises of the Community College of Rhode Island. Any violations of these laws will be investigated by the Department of Police/Security and Safety or local authorities within the jurisdiction where the offense occurred. Regulations governing the use, sale or possession of drugs and alcohol on campus are explained in the Student Handbook and provided to employees by the Office of Personnel Services.

PERSONAL SAFETY AND CRIME PREVENTION

Throughout the year the Police/Security Department prepares and distributes through the appropriate media crime prevention and personal safety hints. These publications are available to all members of the college community. To assist police/security in keeping the campus crime-free we recommend the following to all members of the college community. Do not leave personal property unattended, keep all property in vehicles concealed as much as possible, and whenever possible, write your name and social security number in your textbooks.

Remember, only by your involvement can we deter crime on campus. The Police/Security Department welcomes suggestions to help make the Community College a better place to learn and work.

SMOKING

The Community College of Rhode Island prohibits smoking in all of its campus facilities as well as at all points of access and egress from its facilities, including all connecting ramps and walkways such as those at the Knight Campus main building. Smoking is allowed at or beyond designated enclosures located at each campus or at a distance equal to those enclosures from the building. Failure to comply will result in disciplinary action as stipulated by the Dean of Students for student infractions, and the appropriate disciplinary process as set forth in the collective bargaining agreements or the Board of Governors policy for faculty and staff. Therefore, smoking is not allowed in any area within any facility of the Community College.

Students are subject to the process and procedures as outlined by the Office of the Dean of Students and stipulated in the Student Handbook.

The prohibition within all facilities will not apply to the use of tobacco products as part of a pre-approved, limited classroom demonstration or research project.

MOTORIST ASSISTS

The Police/Security Department does not provide emergency road service. In the event you are unable to start your vehicle because of battery trouble or other mechanical problems we will allow you to use a telephone to call for assistance.

LOST AND FOUND PROPERTY

The Department of Police/Security and Safety handles all lost and found property. If students find textbooks, handbags, clothing, or eye glasses, they should bring the items to the Police/Security and Safety Department so we can attempt to locate the owner. We also encourage students to come to the Police/Security and Safety Department to check for their lost items and file a report. Whenever claiming property students must provide proper identification.

TEXTBOOKS

In order to assist security in returning lost textbooks, please record your CCRI ID number or drivers’ license number in the book.

Note: Be sure that you have purchased the correct textbooks before unwrapping/recording any information in the book.

FIRE ALARMS

Refer to the Emergency Response Guide for instructions during a fire.

PERSONAL PROPERTY PROTECTION

Do not leave personal property such as handbags, books, and clothing unattended. Report any loss to the Police/Security and Safety Department as soon as possible. Students may rent lockers from the college bookstore for securing clothing, books, or personal items. Students are reminded to lock their vehicle at all times. Students should not leave property in their vehicle exposed to everyone. Conceal all personal property in your trunk whenever possible.

Students that use the field house facilities should obtain a combination lock from the main office located in the field house. Do not leave your personal property in unlocked lockers.

REPORTING SERIOUS INCIDENTS

Any student who is confronted with a serious problem in the student parking lots or within the buildings of the Community College of Rhode Island should report the incident to Police/Security as soon as possible. Do not try and handle the matter yourself. Any student who needs the services of the Police/Security Department may call by using one of the emergency wall telephones located throughout the buildings. Police/Security officers also patrol the campus by foot and vehicle and should be called upon for assistance. If you are unable to get assistance, attempt to get a description of the persons or vehicles involved and give the information to the police/security officer that responds.

TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS

All traffic accidents that occur on campus must be reported to the Department of Police/Security Department as soon as possible. Police/Security officers patrol the campus on foot and with patrol vehicles and should be summoned to the scene of any accident. A report to Police/Security will allow the officers to call for the assistance of rescue, fire and additional police personnel. Any person who leaves the scene and fails to report an accident will be subject to the same penalties under Rhode Island Motor Vehicle Laws and will be referred to the Dean of Students Office.

CCRI Does Not assume liability for vehicles or their contents parked on its premises.

CAMPUS SEXUAL ASSAULT POLICY

The Community College of Rhode Island will not tolerate any behavior associated with sexual assault or sexual harassment. The Community College of Rhode Island recognizes its responsibility, with your assistance, to provide a safe and crime free environment for those individuals who attend the college.

The following procedures will be used in investigating all complaints of sexual assault on campus.

1. In all cases, when a sex offense occurs, the offense should be immediately reported to the Department of College Police and Security. The campus police will immediately initiate an investigation, gather evidence and notify the appropriate authorities.
2. Victims will be assisted in notifying the proper law enforcement authorities if it is requested by the victim to do so. If they do not wish for the police to be contacted, campus police personnel will, as required under the Campus Crime Awareness Act, file a report of the incident and have the complainant complete a statement form providing all necessary information concerning the incident, i.e. date, time, witnesses, description, if necessary. If the victim does not wish to have the local law enforcement authorities contacted, the victim must include that desire in writing on the witness statement form.
3. Students will be informed of and referred to the Dean of Students Office for information relating to available and appropriate counseling and support services which are available at the college and within the community.
4. Students may wish to pursue a complaint through the Office of the Dean of Students and the Judicial Process. Student disciplinary processes, procedures and sanctions are outlined in the section of the Student Handbook relating to Student Rights and Responsibilities. If the case is referred to the College Judicial Committee, the accused is entitled to the same opportunities and to have others present during the hearing. Upon completion of the investigation and hearing, the accused and accuser will be notified of the outcome.