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The Smith College Campus Police
Department is part of a partnership between Smith, Hampshire and Mount Holyoke
colleges. This initiative seeks to improve public safey as a collaborative, face-to-face
professional learning and working hallmark of an educational culture that assumes
collective responsibility for the safety of our communities.
As part of the collaborative, all three
campuses are served by a central dispatch center. Our dispatchers answer calls, alarms,
emergency phones and radio transmissions for all three campuses. Working together
solves multiple problems. Our mission is to contribute to the safety and quality
of life in our community by linking the citizens of our community, our neighboring
communities, and our associated Campus Police agencies with efficient, reliable,
responsive and professional services.
The parklike beauty and peacefulness of the
Smith College campus can be deceptive: Smith is not a crimeless, isolated
world. Unfortunately, crimes are committed here just as they are off campus, in your
hometown, or in cities large and small. We are therefore providing this information
to inform you of the campus safety services and programs available to you and to
urge you to act responsibly and help promote public safety on campus.
The Campus Police Department provides protection
and services to all members of the college community, including its visitors and
guests, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The department's full-time officers
are trained professionals. They have police powers on college property (as granted
under Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 22C, Section 63) and are sworn Hampshire
County deputy sheriffs. All officers must complete training as mandated by the
Massachusetts State Police.
Moreover, each officer is certified yearly in cardiopulmonary
resuscitation and first-aid techniques, and every three years in first-responder
skills. Each also attends a training session on civil rights and diversity, and four
officers have been certified by the state as sexual assault investigators.
The department maintains close working relationships
with the college and the Northampton Police Department, the Massachusetts State Police
and the Northwestern District Attorney's office. It is Smith's policy to promptly
report to the Northampton Police all criminal activities and serious crimes committed
on campus.
The department, located at 126 West
Street in the Facilities Management building, is staffed from 8:30 a.m.- 4 p.m.,
Monday- Friday. The dispatcher can be reached 24 hours a day by dialing (413) 585-2490
(ext. 2490 from a campus phone). Officers patrol the campus round-the-clock
on foot, on specially equipped mountain bikes, Segway or in cruisers. |
