DPS News

DPS Achieves Accreditation Through IACLEA

IMG_0131

The Syracuse University Department of Public Safety has received accreditation through the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA), effective March 2015.

The certification was received after a comprehensive analysis and review of DPS policies and procedures – a process that began more than two years before IACLEA assessors arrived in January of 2015. Accreditation is granted for four-year increments, during which time the Department must submit annual reports attesting to continued compliance with those standards under which it was initially accredited.

Accreditation Manager Andrea Stagnari, Detective Robert Bleyle, and Interim Chief Jill Lentz will formally accept the Department’s certification in Nashville, Tennessee this June, when they attend the IACLEA’s 57th Annual Conference and Exposition. The conference also provides numerous workshops and educational opportunities.

“We are very pleased to receive confirmation that we have been awarded accreditation by the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators. Our department is committed to professional practices and continued compliance with these high standards,” said Interim Chief Jill Lentz.

Sr. Vice President and Chief Law Enforcement Officer Anthony Callisto, Jr. indicated that the campus could be seeing more of the IACLEA logo. In addition to the certificate displayed in the DPS main office, the Department will be adding the IACLEA logo to patrol cars and license plates.  “Achieving accreditation by the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators was only possible through the hard work, dedication and service of the women and men of the Syracuse University Department of Public Safety. Through the accreditation process they have proven that they are competent, confident and well trained and they truly are best-in-class campus law enforcement professionals. Congratulations to interim Chief Lentz and her team!” Callisto said.

###

Statement From Rebecca Reed-Kantrowitz Regarding Hazing Incident

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:

In light of the news yesterday about a recent incident of hazing on campus, I want to take the opportunity to reinforce Syracuse University’s zero tolerance policy on hazing and be clear that we take this matter extremely seriously. Syracuse University defines hazing as any action that intentionally or recklessly causes or poses a substantial risk of harm to the mental or physical health or safety of one or more persons. Any individual or organization that commits or encourages hazing will be held accountable under the University’s Anti-Hazing Policy and the Student Code of Conduct.

Hazing presents substantial risk to the safety and well-being of all members of the campus community, not just those directly impacted. We must all be committed to creating a campus that respects the dignity and rights of all its members. Our community is stronger because of those who have come forward and taken a stand when these instances do occur.

Syracuse University is committed to promoting a safe and healthy campus environment for all its students, staff, faculty, and visitors. If you have concerns about hazing or would like to make a report of hazing, please contact the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs at 315-443-2718, the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities at 315-443-3728, or the Department of Public Safety at 315-443-2224. Anonymous reports can also be made with the Department of Public Safety through the Silent Witness Program or by calling 315-443-TIPS (8477).

Sincerely,

Rebecca Reed Kantrowitz
Senior Vice President and Dean
Division of Student Affairs

Take A Tour Of The Emergency Communications Center

ECCThis photo is stationed at the back of our Emergency Communications Center (ECC) – with Communications Center Coordinator Mateo Tarrats visible at the computer desk to the right.

Each desk station like the one where Mateo is sitting has a radio dock, with a radio system used to reach our officers out in the field, two phones to handle high call volume and our escort, dispatch and emergency lines, and five computer screens.

On the computer screens, Communications Officers have access to real-time alarm monitoring systems (for fire alarms and door alarms, which are tripped when someone holds a door on a university building open for too long after hours). The door system is electronically managed and timed differently for each day of the week.

On another screen, dispatchers keep CAD (Computer-Aided Dispatch, which time-stamps calls for service, and runs a list of officers on duty, keeping track of who’s doing what in real time. They also have access to an intranet with numerous databases – the most important of which is an electronic phone and ID directory (with emergency contacts) of all SU students, staff, and faculty.

The televisions on the far wall show a live-synced list of Syracuse Police Department calls, University security camera feeds, and national news programs. Here’s a little-known fact about Dispatch: All camera feeds and phone calls are automatically recorded for later reference, and are time-stamped to monitor response time.

Accreditation Assessment Team Invites Public Comments

A team of Assessors from the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA) will arrive on Sunday, January 25, 2015 to examine all aspects of the Department of Public Safety’s policy and procedures, management, operation, and support services, Interim Chief Jill Lentz announced today.

Verification that the Syracuse University Department of Public Safety meets IACLEA’S state-of-the-art standards is part of a voluntary process to gain accreditation – a highly-prized recognition of campus public safety professional excellence.

Syracuse University employees, DPS employees and the public are invited to offer comments by calling 315-443-0131 on Monday, January 26, 2015, between the hours of 10:00am and 12:00pm.

Comments will be taken by members of the Assessment Team, not DPS personnel.

Telephone comments must address the department’s ability to comply with IACLEA’s standards. A copy of the standards is available at the Department of Public Safety, 005 Sims Hall, located at 130 College Place on the Syracuse University campus.

Anyone wishing to submit written comments about the Department of Public Safety’s ability to comply with the standards for accreditation may send them to IACLEA, 342 North Main Street, West Hartford, CT 06117-2507.

The Department of Public Safety must comply with 239 standards in order to achieve accredited status. The DPS undertook the challenge of gaining accreditation for a number of reasons. Accreditation provides a professional benchmark with which to measure policies and procedures. It also ensures those practices are well-documented, Department personnel receive clear guidance, and qualified personnel are recruited and retained long-term.

Moreover, the process may serve to assure the University administration, University community, and other local law enforcement agencies of the quality of DPS services.

The Accreditation Manager for the Department of Public Safety is Andrea Stagnari. She said the Assessment Team is composed of experienced campus law enforcement professionals from in-state and out-of-state. The Assessors will review written materials, interview individuals and inspect facilities where compliance can be witnessed. The Assessors are: Captain Gary Heller, Amtrak Police Department, Team Leader; Sergeant Kevin Roberto (Ret.), University of Connecticut Police Department; Assistant Director Stacy DeRooy, Rochester Institute of Technology. Once the Assessors complete their review of the DPS, they will report back to IACLEA, which will then decide if the Department will be granted accredited status.

Accreditation is for four (4) years, during which the Department must submit annual reports attesting to continued compliance with those standards under which it was initially accredited.

###

Public Safety Notice: Off Campus Robbery, 1/27/2015

For the protection and safety of SU students, faculty, staff and neighbors, the Department of Public Safety releases the following alert:

Off Campus Robbery

Tuesday, January 27, 2015 between 6:00 pm and 6:30 pm

SPD Case # 15-134841

1200 Block of East Adams Street

A student reported being robbed by two unknown males in the 1200 Block of E. Adams Street, between Comstock Ave and Walnut Ave. The student reports she was walking alone westbound on E. Adams Street when she was approached by the suspects. One of the suspects pushed the student to the ground and stole her satchel containing money. No weapons were displayed.