Campus Security Personnel and Their Relationship with Local Law Enforcement

Campus Security Personnel and Their Relationship with Local Law Enforcement

All campus security officers are NYS certified security officers with no law enforcement authority beyond that of a regular citizen. The college maintains a good working relationship with the Yonkers Police Department. The 2nd police precinct of Yonkers responds to all calls for service from the College. The police captain of the 2nd precinct and the College’s Director of Public Safety are in regular communication in regards to campus security issues within and next to the college. Campus emergency plans and procedures were designed in consultation with the Yonkers Police Department. The Yonkers Emergency Services Unit trains one day each summer in campus buildings. A member of the unit helps train security officers as to how to respond in active shooter scenarios. Viictims of crimes on or near campus property are strongly encouraged by the College to promptly and accurately report all crimes to the local police and the College’s Public Safety Department. Campus Security personnel are available to assist them in making such reports to the police.

The College has a Memorandum of Understanding with the Yonkers Police Department

The parties to this Memorandum of Understanding have agreed to the following:

  1. The Police Department has primary law enforcement jurisdiction on all property within the City of Yonkers, owned, leased or under the control of the College, and will provide police services on said property.
  2. The Sarah Lawrence Public Safety Department will notify the Police Department and request that it investigate any violent felony or missing student situation which occurs on any property within the City of Yonkers owned, leased or under the control of the College. Victims of crimes will be strongly encouraged by the College to report all crimes and the Public Safety Department will assist victims in making reports to the police. In accordance with the provisions of the Campus Safety Act, the following definitions shall apply:
    1. “Missing Student” means any student at the College subject to the provisions of Section 355 (17) of the New York State Education Law, who resides in a facility owned or operated by the College and who is reported to the College as missing from his or her residence.
    2. “Violent Felony Offense” means a violent felony offense as defined in Section 70.02 (1) of the Penal Law of the State of New York.
  3. The Yonkers City Police Department will respond to College notifications and will take appropriate action. When the Police Department executes a warrant on any property owned, leased or under control of the College, the Police Department when practical will contact the Director of Public Safety and request that a College security officer accompany the City police officer. Efforts will be taken to refrain from interrupting a class to effect an arrest or to execute a search warrant.