University of Louisiana

Monroe

Police Department

                                                                          

Safety and Security

Procedures

2000-01


 

Introduction

The University of Louisiana at Monroe represents a campus community of more than 12,000 students, faculty and staff and covers more than 200 acres. The campus is bordered by two major highways and is located in a metropolitan area of approximately 60,000 people. As the campus continues to grow to meet the cultural and academic needs of a diverse student body, the law enforcement division of ULM, the University Police Department, is responding to the demands and responsibilities that accompany the Universities Growth.

The safety of the student body, as well as faculty, staff and visitors is of primary importance to the University and the University Police Department. The University Police Department works year –round in conjunction with other law enforcement agencies to provide a safe and secure environment for the residents of this "city within a city." The information in this brochure is designed to foster safety and responsibility as well as to inform those associated with the ULM community. 

The University Police 

In its continuous effort to provide the best security and safety measures possible, the University Police Department provides a variety of law enforcement services and functions for the campus and surrounding areas. An active, regular police presence is established with 24-hour patrol protection for the main campus, parking lots, and residence halls. The University Police Department also provides regular patrol on streets throughout the University campus and all areas adjacent to the campus. This includes making initial response to fraternity houses located near the main campus.

All ULM police officers are highly trained law enforcement personnel and are commissioned by the Department of Public Safety, State of Louisiana. Louisiana Revised Statute 17:1805 vests University Police Officers with full law enforcement powers, authority, and responsibilities identical to the local police or parish sheriff. Each officer must successfully complete the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement Police Officer Standards and Training course. This is a ten-week training course taught by North Delta Training Academy, an extension of ULM which is located at 420 Wheelis Street, West Monroe, Louisiana. ULM Police officers are trained along with officers from the 14 parish North Delta Region. All officers receive specialized training in first aid, firearms, defensive tactics, legal update, criminal investigation, collection and preservation of evidence, and traffic investigation. 

ULM law enforcement officers have the right to carry a concealed weapon and to exercise the power of arrest when discharging their duties while in or out of uniform. In discharge of their duties on campus, police officers may exercise the power of arrest. University Police officers have the authority to discharge their duties off campus if engaging in intelligence gathering activity, investigating a crime committed on campus, or if specifically requested by the chief law enforcement officer of the parish or city.

University Police Officers are responsible for a full range of police/law enforcement services including but not limited to responding to incidents, offense report writing, investigations, medical emergencies, fire emergencies, traffic accidents, enforcement of laws involving under age drinking, the use of controlled dangerous substances, weapons, and all other incidents requiring police assistance. 

When necessary, crime information involving serious incidents is shared with the Monroe Police Department, West Monroe Police Department, and the Ouachita Parish Sheriff's Department. The serial numbers of all vehicles, office equipment, and personal property stolen from the ULM campus are reported through the National Crime Information Center (NCIC).

Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to play an active role in campus safety by reporting any potential criminal actions and emergencies to the University Police Department. The University Police Department's telephone number is 342-5350. Emergency calls can be made from campus by calling 1-911.

Investigations/Crime Prevention

University Police officers participate in seminars and workshops available to all students, faculty, and staff on a regular basis. The Director, or his designated representative, gives a crime awareness-safety security presentation at the beginning of each semester to all residence hall members as well as during student parent and new employee orientations. Topics available for discussion include: General Crime Prevention, Identify Your Property, Bicycle Security, Rape Awareness and Sexual Assault. 

Information concerning safety and security is regularly provided to students, faculty and staff by the use of seminars and workshops; crime alert bulletins; crime prevention posters and brochures; KXUL, the University radio Station; Smoke Signals, the employee newsletter; and the Pow Wow, the student weekly newspaper. 

A University Police Escort service is available from dusk to dawn for the safety of anyone walking alone on campus at night. This service is available for anyone at any time during weekends, holidays, and during summer sessions. This information is presented at all residence hall orientations. 

One full-time investigator staffs the Investigation/Crime Prevention section; however, officers who have received specialized training in several major crime areas supplement the area as required. Programs available through this section are Crime Prevention and Awareness, Sexual Assault Presentations, Identify Your Property, Abuse of Alcohol and other drugs and Controlled Substances. 

Proper lighting and building security are major factors in determining crime on campus. The University Physical Plant Director maintains the University buildings and grounds with a concern for safety and security. The Director, or his representative, inspects campus facilities regularly, authorizes repairs as quickly as possible affecting safety and security, and responds to reports of potential safety and security hazards, such as broken locks and windows. 

The University Police Department assists Physical Plant personnel by reporting potential safety and security hazards on a regular basis. Students, faculty and staff may also report any safety and security hazards by calling 342-5170 or 342-5350.The ULM campus is routinely inspected by a University Safety Committee which walks and inspects the entire campus to review lighting and other environmental concerns for safety and security.

Most University facilities are open to the public during the day and evening hours when classes are in session. During the times that the University buildings are closed, only faculty and staff are allowed entry. With proper authorization, students are allowed access.

Illegal Drugs

The University of Louisiana at Monroe strictly prohibits the possession, use or distribution of marijuana, cocaine, LSD, or any other hallucinogens, and narcotics by anyone in a campus facility or on property owned or controlled by the University. ULM is a Drug Free School Zone in accordance with Louisiana Revised Statute 981.3 which provides for a more severe penalty for persons violating the controlled dangerous substance law on a school campus or 1000 feet outward from the campus. In some instances a person in violation of this provision may be punished with a penalty twice as great as normal. Any individual known to be possessing, using, or distributing such drugs is subject to disciplinary action, and possible arrest, imprisonment or fine, or both according to state and federal law.

Crime Statistics

The University Police Department submits a monthly Uniform Crime Report to the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement who in turn reports the statistics to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), department of Justice, Washington D.C. Additionally, a monthly report is submitted to the Board of Trustees for State Colleges and Universities. 

The following chart reflects the number of crimes for the most recent three calendar years for the University.

                              Crime on Campus Statistics                      

 

 

Criminal Offenses - Main Campus

 

The following criminal offenses occurred.

 

 

On Campus

1998  

1999  

2000

 

Murder/Non-Negligent Manslaughter

0

0

0

Forcible Sex Offenses

0

0

0

Non-Forcible Sex

1

1

0

Robbery

4

1

0

Aggravated Assault

1

2

1

Burglary

26

19

4

Motor Vehicle Theft

4

4

0

Arson

0

0

0

Negligent Manslaughter

0

0

0

                                   

 

On Campus, Residence Halls

1998

1999

2000

 

Murder/Non-Negligent Manslaughter

0

0

0

Forcible Sex Offenses

0

   1**

0

Non-Forcible Sex

1

1

0

Robbery

1

1

0

Aggravated Assault

1

2

1

Burglary

21

14

38

Motor Vehicle Theft

4

4

3

Arson 

0

0

0

Negligent Manslaughter

0

0

0

 

                           

 

Non Campus Buildings

1998

1999

2000

 

Murder/Non-Negligent Manslaughter

0

0

0

Forcible Sex Offenses

0

0

0

Non-Forcible Sex

0

0

0

Robbery

0

0

0

Aggravated Assault

0

0

0

Burglary

0

0

0

Motor Vehicle Theft

0

0

0

Arson 

0

0

0

Negligent Manslaughter

0

0

0

Public Property

1998

1999

2000

 

Murder/Non-Negligent Manslaughter

0

0

0

Forcible Sex Offenses

0

0

0

Non-Forcible Sex

0

0

0

Robbery

0

0

0

Aggravated Assault

0

0

0

Burglary         

0

0

0

Motor Vehicle Theft

0

0

0

Arson

0

0

0

Negligent Manslaughter

0

0

0

 

Non-Police

1998

1999

2000

 

Murder/Non-Negligent Manslaughter

0

0

0

Forcible Sex Offenses

0

0

0

Non-Forcible Sex

1

1

0

Robbery

0

0

0

Aggravated Assault

0

0

0

Burglary