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Suffolk University Police and Security Department

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617-573-8111
The safety and well being of all university members is paramount and is a top priority of this university.

The University emphasizes prevention and collaboration between all members of our community and the city of Boston. We strive for good working relations and open communications that result in a safe place to attend school and work, while we welcome visitors from all over the world.

We want our community to actively involve themselves with our police and security department and encourage a positive relationship that result in a safer community.

In all incidents SUPD will notify the Boston Police Department, Boston Fire Department, Emergency Medical Services and any other agency as is needed depending upon the nature of the incident, the resources available and the need for the assistance at the time of incident.

(SUPD)

Working Together for Public Safety 

Suffolk University is an urban campus in a world-class city and public safety is a top priority at all times. The Suffolk University Police and Security Department (SUPD) consists of full-time uniformed police and security officers who are on duty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year. The department is dedicated to deterring and detecting crime and security hazards through prevention, cooperation and enforcement of university regulations and state laws. Police officers may be assigned to roving patrols or fixed posts. Security officers are generally assigned to fixed posts at entrances to residence halls and other university buildings to monitor and control access. All of these officers provide high visibility as a deterrent to crime and make it convenient for member of the university community to report incidents or request assistance.   

However, a truly safe campus can only be achieved with the cooperation of the entire University community, including faculty, staff, students, and visitors. Each member of the university community is urged to make a personal commitment to campus safety by incorporating sound safety and crime prevention practices into their daily lives and reporting crimes, suspicious activity and unusual situations to SUPD immediately. By working together we can keep our campus a safe and peaceful place to live, learn and work.

Cooperation with City Law Enforcement and Public Safety Agencies 

The SUPD Dispatch Center, located on the lower level of Sargent Hall, has direct telephone and radio communications with the Boston and State Police Departments and will notify the Boston and/or State Police, Boston Fire Department, Boston Emergency Medical Services Department and other city or state public safety agencies as needed and appropriate whenever a major public safety incident is reported on or adjacent to Suffolk University premises. Specifically, BPD will be notified for all incidents that occur off the property of the University on or near university premises that require local police action and for all incidents that involve weapons

SUPD consists of a police and security department which operates 7/24/365.

SUPD will provide public safety to all community members and will work closely will all law enforcement agencies as well as all other agencies in any public safety incident both on the state and federal level.

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involving firearms or other dangerous weapons, since SUPD police officers do not carry firearms. All telephone calls at the SUPD Dispatch Center are recorded.

Reporting Crimes and Other Security or Safety Incidents

SUPD Telephone Numbers:

Non-emergency business and to report past incidents    617-573-8333

Emergency                                                                 617-573-8111

The SUPD Dispatch Center is staffed at all times and there is always a Security Officer stationed in the lobby of each residence hall. Members of the university community are urged to report all crimes to SUPD immediately by calling one of the numbers listed above or in person to the officer in the lobby of a residence hall. The reporting party will be asked to provide details such as the nature and location of the incident, when it happened, who was involved, a description of any property stolen, the name or a description of the perpetrator if known, the location or direction of flight of the perpetrator if known, and whether anyone was injured. A police officer will be dispatched to respond to the scene and to meet the reporting party immediately. 

Emergency Notifications and Documentation

The SUPD Dispatcher will notify Facilities and Emergency Management staff of incidents which may need additional assistance and the deployment of resources under their responsibility areas, such as emergency maintenance response and emergency alert notification. All SUPD officers are trained in CPR and First Aid, and officers have access to emergency medical supplies and automatic external defibrillators. SUPD maintains a Public Daily Log of Crimes and Fires and prepares appropriate incident reports.

Individuals with Mobility Impairments  Members of the university community with mobility impairments or other conditions which may require them to have assistance evacuating a building during a fire alarm or other emergency are urged to register with their appropriate Disability Resources Office. Disability Resources will provide SUPD with a record of such individuals and their schedules. Individuals requiring assistance during an evacuation should familiarize themselves with the evacuation routes in the buildings they will be using and contact SUPD at 617-573-8111 to report their location if they need assistance.

The Disability Resource Offices are as follows: 

CAS and SBS Students:  University Office of Disability Services (617-994-6820)

Law Students: Law School Dean of Students Office (617-573-8157)

University Employees:  Human Resources (617-573-8415)

Violence/Hostile Behavior should be reported to SUPD when it safe to do. Violent and hostile behavior includes any behavior that is threatening, intimidating and/or considered dangerous to others, which adversely impacts the normal activity of the day. If you observe a criminal act on campus, a person acting in a suspicious manner on campus, violence on campus or the threat of violence on campus, notify the Suffolk University Police Department (SUPD) at extension 8111 (or at 617-573-8111) as soon as it is safe to do so and report the incident. 

Include the following information when reporting an incident: 

The security division is uniformed officers that enforce rules and regulations of the university. Each officer has CPR and first aid training.

Each shift has a designated Officer in Charge of that shift. 

At all times our police dispatcher is in communication with our risk manager and others on incidents that may need additional insight and the deployment of other resources such as an emergency alert notification and or personnel. The dispatcher will maintain a record of incidents. All officers are required to write incident reports. All telephone lines are recorded.

The Police dispatch center is located in the Donahue building, floor one while the administrative offices are in the Sawyer building, A level.

SUPD have security stations at all residence halls, the law school, the school of management, NESAD and the Ridgeway building.

All police and security locations are equipped with medical bags and automated external defibrillator (AED). 

When and if calling the police and or a security station, please identify the location of the incident and provide the officer as much information as possible while staying on the telephone.

The officer would like to know the answers to the following questions whenever possible;

1.     Where is the incident?

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6.     Why did it happen?

SUPD 

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Assist the Officers when they arrive by supplying them with any additional information and ask others to cooperate.  SUPD would first respond, identify, stabilize, treat if needed, and write any appropriate reports. 

1. When it is safe to do so, SUPD officers will respond to the scene, secure the crime scene when needed, identify persons, suspect (s), victim (s)

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1. and witnesses, take statements, gather facts and evidence, investigate and notify other agencies and obtain other resources as needed.
2. SUPD will inform the following administrators when there is a report of violence or criminal behavior on campus involving:
1. Employees: SUPD will inform the Human Resources Office
2. Resident Students: SUPD will contact the Director of Residence Life and Summer Programs
3. Non-Resident Students: SUPD will contact the Dean of Students (Colleges)
4. Law Students: SUPD will contact the Law School Dean of Students

SUPD will report all criminal acts - There primary concern is life safety, officer safety, preservation of the peace, identification of the parties involved and apprehension of the offender while rendering the scene to safe.
All criminal acts, whether on the property or not that are a part one Part One violent crimes, Homicidehomicide, Rape rape and or attempted, Robbery robbery and or attempted, Aggravated assaults aggravated assaults, burglary, motor vehicle theft, and arson, will be reported to the Boston Police Department as well as crimes involving weapons.

Violence/Hostile behavior Bomb Threats should be reported to SUPD when it safe to do. Acceptable human behavior does not include any behavior that is threatening, intimidating and/or considered dangerous to others which adversely impacts the normal activity of the day.
Bomb Threats should be reported to SUPD. SUPD will evaluate the evidence that is presented and take the appropriate action as required to maintain a safe community. The Risk Manger will be notified as well as the BPD. If anyone where to receive a bomb threat, please listen and pay attention to the caller. If anyone were to see a suspicious object, do not touch it, call the police immediately.
Fire Alarms are to be reported to SUPD for emergency response and evacuation as programmed in the system and/or as needed. SUPD will assist BFD in identifying the location of the alarm while assisting with any life safety needs.
Active Shooter reported to SUPD will activate an immediate call to the Boston Police Department who will respond to the incident. SUPD will also notify the Risk Manager who in turn will activate an emergency alert notification. This alert notification will inform you of the incident and what action to take. Being unarmed SUPD will not respond to the area of the shooter and act as an informational unit from a very safe distance. SUPD will vacate any area that is adversely impacted by the dangers of an active shooter. SUPD will assist the BPD when asked and it is deemed safe.

Sexual Assaults may or may not be reported to SUPD, it is up to the victim, however once it is reported SUPD, please know that SUPD will report this information to the Boston Police Sexual Assault Unit. Victims may or may not identify themselves to SUPD. The primary focus will be on the victims' medical needs, well being and safety. The University provides support services through the Student Affairs office whether it be health service and or counseling.

at ext. 8111 immediately. Call takers should pay close attention to the caller ID display and the caller’s voice and take notes in order to recall the caller’s exact words as closely as possible. When seeing a suspicious package call SUPD immediately – do not touch it.

Fire Alarms SUPD responds to all reports of fire alarms in university buildings to assist Boston Fire Department personnel with evacuation and finding the source of the alarm. Facilities is also notified. All occupants should evacuate immediately upon hearing a fire alarm, following instructions as provided by the voice evacuation announcements.

Active Shooter SUPD will notify the Boston Police Department immediately of any report of an active shooter on or near the campus. Emergency Management will be contacted to activate the emergency alert notification system. SUPD officers will coordinate with BPD and provide access to university buildings, assist in the evacuation of buildings if appropriate, and provide assistance and support to the responding public safety agencies.

Sexual Assaults and Domestic Violence Victims of sexual assault and domestic violence are urged to contact SUPD as soon as possible. Violent acts such as these will not be tolerated on campus and SUPD will work compassionately and professionally with victims of sexual assault and domestic violence to help ensure they receive appropriate medical and emotional care and are provided with the support and guidance necessary for them to make informed decisions regarding safety options in the aftermath of such violence. Refer to the Suffolk University Policy on Sexual Misconduct for specific information and resources. The policy can be found in the Student Handbook and on the SU website at http://www.suffolk.edu/studenthandbook/17840.php

Additional information for members of the Law School Community may be found at http://www.suffolk.edu/law/student-life/19216.phpDomestic Violence is against the law and unacceptable on campus. SUPD will respond to all calls of this nature, identify offenders, arrest when applicable and provide medical services as well as victims' rights. SUPD will assist with obtaining a restraining order and notify all appropriate law enforcement agencies as needed. SUPD will also communicate with the appropriate departments as needed within the University to support the victim and address any on going concerns. SUPD encourages all people who possess a restraining order to notify SUPD of this.

Psychological Emergencies that are reported to SUPD will be addressed by the police as needed, whether it is providing medical transport, taking the person into protective custody and having them evaluated by a doctor for an evaluationSUPD as needed. SUPD will also alert other appropriate departments on campus as needed. The safety and well-being of the patient is priority while ensuring the safety and well-being of the community in all incidents of this nature.

Medical Emergencies should be reported to SUPD. SUPD will respond and provide medical assistance to the level of their training and will notify Boston Emergency Medical Services as needed. This would include all medical emergencies including any drug overdoses. We rather see the victim of a drug overdose get medical attention than have them fear calling our University police for help.

Non-Life Threatening Emergencies SUPD is issued cab vouchers from student services. They These will be offered to resident students to travel to an area hospital for non-life threatening emergencies, if the resident/patient chooses to go.

Demonstrations and Rallies that are unlawful will not be permitted. SUPD will respond and take appropriate action as needed depending on the facts and circumstances of the demonstration and the impact on the community. The safety and well-being of the community is a top priority while maintaining law and order. Any authorized event must be arranged through the student affairs office and the proper forms must be filled. Any event off of the University property must be registered with the City of Boston and approved by the cityCity.

Major Systems Failure/Internal Disaster Disasters (Section 1.4.11) that are reported to SUPD will be addressed as a public safety concern. Proper resources will be deployed to the incident for life safety and stabilization of the incident. Proper personnel, particularly the facilities department and any other departments will be notified and deployed. The Incident Command System may be enacted depending upon the size, scope and seriousness of the major systems failure. The incident and impact on the community will be monitored and evaluated initially. Then , and then, continuously throughout the incident for the safety and well-being of the community while attempting to minimize the adverse impact on the day to day operations and the mission of the University.

Catastrophic Emergency/Natural Disaster is any incident whether by nature or by human beings that has a an immediate and or long lasting impact on the loss of life or potential loss of life to a human, many humans and or a community. This may include real property. Life safety is the first priority while the University's mission is suspended at the time for how every long. This would include all essential personnel if their life depended upon vacating the University however before doing this, all efforts when safe to do so would be to alert others of the catastrophic emergency and possible safeguard the real property.

Suspicious Packages/Substances will should be reported to the SUPD. No attempt should be made to touch or handle such items. SUPD will respond to investigate the information obtained when it is safe to do and or notify the BPD and , BFD , (hazmat team), and Emergency Management. All incidents will be addressed on a case-by-case basis.   In cases that SUPD does respond, we will isolate the substance and or the suspicious package, do not touch, establish communication and control, set up a perimeter, evacuate as needed, and attempt to identify persons involved and or  those those person(s) adversely impacted, provide first aid, gather evidence and attempt to render the scene safe upon investigation.

Hostage Situation that is reported to SUPD will activate an immediate response to the location except if involves a weapon (s). The initial officer will gather as much information as possible and attempt to indentify the person and or persons involved. The safety and well being of all lives is an objective and all efforts will be made to bring the situation to a peaceful resolution whenever possible. An inner and outer perimeter will be established provided no immediate action is taken by the responding officer (s).

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