EASTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY POLICE DEPARTMENT
POLICY AND PROCEDURAL ORDER
SUBJECT:
TIMELY WARNINGS
EFFECTIVE DATE:
FOIA
YES X
PAGE NUMBER:
June 25, 2013
1 OF 5
NEW
AMENDED X
ISSUED BY:
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SAFETY
CHIEF ROBERT HEIGHES
I.
REFERENCE
NUMBER:
7. 1. 3
NO
CANCELS
REVIEWED/NO CHANGE
RESPONSIBLE FOR REVIEW & UPDATE:
Executive Director of Public Safety
PURPOSE:
To establish a policy to fully comply with the requirements for the Jeanne Clery
Disclossure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act in
regards to Timely Warnings.
II.
POLICY:
This procedure defines how Timely Warning notices will be determined and
issued to students, faculty and staff of Eastern Michigan University.
III.
PROCEDURE:
1.0
The EMU Police Department shall ensure that Timely Warnings are
provided to the campus community in regards to crimes considered to
present a serious or continuing threat to students, faculty or staff, which are
directly reported to EMU Police Department, or are reported to EMU
Police Department by campus security authorities or local police agencies.
Such warnings shall be provided to students, faculty and staff in a manner
that is timely and will aid in the prevention of similar occurrences. Timely
Warnings will be considered when any of the following crimes occur:
Murder
Sex Offenses (forcible or non-forcible)
Robbery
Aggravated Assault
Burglary
Motor Vehicle Theft
Timely Warnings
Page 2
Page 2 of 5
June 25, 2013
Manslaughter
Arson
Other crimes involving bodily injury to persons
intentionally selected because of actual or perceived race,
gender, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity or disability.
1.5
The EMU Police Department may not issue a timely warning for the
above crimes if:
The department apprehends the suspect(s) and the serious
or continuing threat to members of the Eastern Michigan
University community has been mitigated by the
apprehension.
A report was not filed with the EMU Police Department
or if EMU Police Department was not notified by campus
officials in a manner that would allow the department to
post a “Timely Warning” for the community.
EMU Police Department personnel will make the decision whether to
issue a Timely Warning notice on a case-by-case basis in light of all of
the facts surrounding a crime, including factors such as the nature of the
crime, the continuing threat to the campus community and the possible
risk of compromising law enforcement efforts.
2.0
It is the responsibility of the Executive Director of Public Safety to ensure
that Timely Warnings are issued. The decision to issue a Timely Warning
shall be determined by EMU Police Department personnel in the
following order, but may be made by any of the below persons as
necessary:
The Executive Director of Public Safety
Deputy Chief of Police
Lieutenant
Shift Supervisor
In the absence of the designated officials above, the next highest ranking
official will be responsible for making the decision to issue a Timely
Warning.
Timely Warnings
Page 3
Page 3 of 5
June 25, 2013
3.0
The Executive Director of Public Safety shall review all offenses on a
routine basis that are subject to disclosure in the Annual Security Report
that have been reported to the EMU Police Department to determine if
they represent a serious or continuing threat to the campus community. It
shall be the responsibility of the Executive Director of Public Safety, or
the next highest ranking official in his/her absence, to prepare and issue
the Timely Warning statement. If the EMU Police Department Deputy
Chief and/or Lieutenant and/or Shift Sergeant disagree(s) with the
decision not to issue a Timely Warning, the Deputy Chief and/or
Lieutenant and/or Shift Sergeant shall promptly inform the Executive
Director. If the Executive Director affirms the decision not to issue a
Timely Warning, the Deputy Chief and/or Lieutenant and/or the Shift
Sergeant shall promptly inform the University President and the General
Counsel of their disagreement with the decision. The University President
and General Counsel will review the matter and decide whether to approve
or reverse the decision not to issue a Timely Warning. If the decision not
to issue a Timely Warning is approved, documentation of the decision and
approval shall be maintained on file by the Executive Director of Public
Safety. If the decision not to issue a Timely Warning is reversed, the
Executive Director of Public Safety shall immediately issue the Timely
Warning.
4.0
If the Executive Director of Public Safety, or next highest ranking official,
in his/her absence, decides in regards to incidents involving death or
assaults that result in serious bodily injury that a Timely Warning need not
be given for reasons other than reasons described in Section 1.5, the
reasons for that decision should be immediately documented in writing
and forwarded to both the University President and General Counsel for
review and approval. If the decision not to issue a Timely Warning is
approved, documentation of the decision and approval shall be maintained
on file by the Executive Director of Public Safety. If the decision not to
issue a Timely Warning is reversed, the Executive Director of Public
Safety shall immediately issue the Timely Warning.
5.0
If anyone has concerns regarding the adequacy or propriety of any Timely
Warning, or the failure to issue a Timely Warning, the person shall inform
the Executive Director of Public Safety. If after consulting with the
Executive Director of Public Safety the person still has concerns; the
person shall inform the University President and General Counsel. The
University President and General Counsel shall review and respond to the
person’s concerns. If the decision not to issue a Timely Warning is
Timely Warnings
Page 4
Page 4 of 5
June 25, 2013
approved documentation of the decision and approval shall be maintained
on file by the Executive Director of Public Safety. If the decision not to
issue a Timely Warning is reversed, the Executive Director of Public
Safety shall immediately issue the Timely Warning.
6.0
Timely Warnings will be issued to the campus community as soon as
pertinent information is available. The Timely Warning will include, at
minimum:
A succinct description of the incident and type of crime,
including location, date and time of occurrence.
A physical description of the suspect if available.
Composite drawing of the suspect, if available.
Apparent connection to previous incidents, if applicable.
Actual or perceived protected class status of the victim (i.e.
race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity or
disability), but only if there was an apparent bias motive.
Injury sustained by the victim.
Date & time the campus alert was released.
A notice to the campus community to exercise caution.
Timely Warnings will be updated as new crime information becomes
available.
7.0
Timely Warnings shall be distributed by the Executive Director of
Public Safety, or next highest ranking official, in his/her absence in the
following formats:
EMU Police Department Safety Notices Website
Electronic mail messages to all students, faculty and staff
Timely Warnings may also be issued as:
Informational updates on campus electronic message
boards.
Media releases.
Flyers posted in all appropriate University buildings.
Flyers posted in all appropriate facilities leased by the
University.
Flyers posted in local off-campus businesses.
Campus Newspaper – The Eastern Echo.
Text Messaging
Timely Warning Notice
Page 5
IV.
Page 5 of 5
June 25, 2013
8.0
Timely Warnings will remain in effect until the suspect(s) has/have been
apprehended, the case has been closed, or the serious or continuing threat
to the campus community no longer exists.
9.0
A copy of this procedure will be dated with a copy posted in the
squad room and one in the Communications Center, as well as posted on
the EMU Police Department Website.
RESPONSIBILITY:
The Executive Director of Public Safety has overall and primary responsibility for
ensuring that the steps in this procedure are properly carried out.