Chief Dove began his presentation by stating since being employed at CVCC for approximately two years, he has tried to enhance security. He stated when he first began working at a college campus in 1989, the top concerns among students were drug and alcohol abuse. He stated a lot had changed in 25 years, as the concerns now also include active shooters, sexual assault, and terrorism.
Chief Dove stated the staff of the CVCC Department of Campus Police is committed to:
• Providing public safety services and performing duties with efficiency, professionalism, and integrity in all matters
• Maintaining a safe and secure environment conducive to enhancing the learning experience
• Protecting the college equipment, facilities, and supplies from damage, theft or other negative situations
• Enforcing the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia and the rules and regulations of CVCC and the VCCS
• Educating the community on matters related to emergency preparedness and personal safety and security
Chief Dove stated CVCC employs three full-time and two part-time police officers who are Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (VA DCJS) certified and sworn, and all but one have at least an associate’s degree with experience ranging from 13-34 years. He stated they are usually on Campus from 7 a.m. until 11 p.m. Chief Dove also stated CVCC employs four part-time Campus security officers who are Department of Criminal Justice Services certified who normally work from 11 p.m. until 7 a.m. and weekends. He stated there are two part-time and one work study dispatchers/switch board operators who answer all incoming calls for the College and security, walkups, monitor the Student Center and periodically review surveillance cameras. (He stated a part-time Emergency Management Coordinator’s position is currently vacant.) Chief Dove stated the Security Office is located in Amherst Hall’s room 2605.
Chief Dove discussed the core functions of each department which included:
• Dispatchers:
– Answer phone, radio traffic, parking, administrative duties (logs, incident reports), parking (appeals, billing, and temporary passes), manage lost and found process
• Emergency Management Coordinator:
– Maintain updated COOP and EOP, provide emergency response/preparedness training to campus members, assist in the coordination and planning efforts to include drills, exercises and IRT (Incident Response Team) training (Chief Dove is acting as Interim Emergency Management Coordinator.)
• Police Officers:
– Patrol Campus, respond to calls for service and Campus emergencies, conduct investigations, perform safety/security checks and enforce parking/campus rules
• Security Officers:
– Patrol campus, respond to calls for service and campus emergencies, perform security checks and enforce parking/campus rules
Chief Dove stated other services provided include assisting other agencies, unlocking doors, dispatch/switch board, emergency response/preparedness, engraver loan program, parking assistance/enforcement, rendering First-Aid, safety/security presentations (staff /students), personal/safety escorts, motorist assistance, monitor Campus – 24/7, Lost and Found, CARE and Threat Assessment Team.
Chief Dove discussed the CARE Team and stated their mission is to assist students with challenges that may hinder his/her ability to be academically successful, or students with academic, emotional medical, social or personal issues. He stated the CARE Team is committed to student success.
Chief Dove discussed the Threat Assessment Team and stated their focus and mission was to evaluate potential dangerous or threatening person(s) or situation. He stated all reports are confidential. Chief Dove stated potential outcomes include:
• Arrest or temporary detention
• Expulsion
• Emotional/mental intervention
• Schedule change or re-assignment
• Disciplinary action or termination
• Mental evaluation
• Monitor
• Referral to another agency/jurisdiction
• Trespass ban
• No action- unfounded
Chief Dove stated after the VT shooting incident, the governor created a task force—the 2007 Crime Commission for Campus Safety which made 24 recommendations. (Some are listed below.)
Recommendation #1: Each college and university should establish a Safety and Security Committee(s). CVCC complied by:
• Provide input on Equipment/Training and policy/procedures
• Facilities, Finance, Faculty(4), IT, Library Police, Student Services
• Exploring adding a student representative
Recommendation # 4 Each college and university should offer multiple courses/training sessions of Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) with certified instructors. CVCC complied by:
• Each semester, 19 participants- staff and students/non-students
Recommendation #7 Each college should embrace the community policing philosophy and establish initiatives in order to establish better relationships with the campus community. CVCC complied by:
• Regular foot patrol
• SDV and other safety/security presentations
• Co-sponsor programs-Sexual Awareness Week / Personal Safety Day
Recommendation # 8 Each campus police/security department should have a policy/procedure manual, which gives consideration to the standards set forth by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. CVCC complied by:
• Recently revised and updated – internal review
• Reduce the potential for complaints or lawsuits (bad publicity)
Recommendation # 11 - Participate in Professional development opportunities offered by regional, state and national organizations. CVCC complied by:
• Clery Center for Security on Campus
• FEMA / National Incident Management System
• VA Campus Safety and Violence Prevention
• VA Association of Chiefs of Police/VACP
• VA Campus Law Enforcement Association/VACLEA
• VA Emergency Management Association/VEMA
Recommendation # 12 Belong to Professional Organizations. CVCC complied by:
• VACP, VACLEA, VEMA
Recommendation #13 Have regular interaction with community/local officials. CVCC complied by:
• Cross- training with adjoining agencies (LPD, Liberty, LynCom/911)
• College/university emergency management meetings
• Regional Association of Sheriffs and Chiefs / RASAC
• Local Emergency Planning Commission
• Lynchburg Sexual Assault Response Team
Chief Dove stated some significant department enhancements include a conversion of two part-time switchboard operators to dispatcher/switchboard operators, converted two part-time officers’ positions to full-time positions, Code Blue devices, and an automated external defibrillator (AED) which will be placed in Merritt Hall.
Chief Dove discussed continuing or new initiatives which include:
• Continue surveillance camera upgrades
• Continue to provide emergency preparedness and safety programs to staff and students
• Continue to provide emergency response and preparedness training to selected CVCC administrators/staff
• Continue Professional Development for security staff
– Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) ( talk down–vs.-take down)
– Juvenile issues/interactions (approximately – 30% of students are juveniles)
• Upgrade radio communications equipment
• Student Police Academy Certification program
– Department sponsors students
Dr. Capps commended Chief Dove on all that he has brought to his department. He stated on college surveys, students are reporting that they feel safe on CVCC’s Campus and that is a reflection on Chief Dove’s leadership.
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