LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY and
INTERAGENCY RELATIONSHIPS

The police officers of the UCCS Police Department are Colorado Peace Officers and receive their police authority via the provisions of Colorado Revised Statutes, Title 16, Article 2.5, Part 101.  This statute gives officers the authority to enforce all laws of the state of Colorado while acting within the scope of his or her authority and in the performance of his or her duties.  The Board of Regents has delegated authority to the University Police Department to enforce University rules and regulations, as well as municipal, county, and state laws.  University police officers have full police authority on all properties owned or controlled by the University and to make arrests when not on state owned or leased property.

University police officers receive the same training as other full-service police officers in Colorado; they must successfully complete an authorized Colorado Law Enforcement Training Academy with a minimum of 480 hours of specialized instruction.  All University police officers must successfully complete an on-the-job police-training program under the supervision of experienced officers and supervisors.  This training lasts a minimum of four months and covers security and crime concerns specific to the University community.  Finally, officers must complete a probationary period of six months to one year before being certified to their staff positions.

The UCCS Police Department recognizes the importance of maintaining close and cooperative working relationships with the City of Colorado Springs Police Department, the El Paso County Sheriff's Office, and the El Paso County District Attorney's Office.  The UCCS Police Department meets with these departments on a formal and informal basis and on specific issues as the need arises.  Through an Intergovernmental Agreement with the Colorado Springs Police Department, UCCS Police are granted enforcement authority of state offenses off campus and enforcement of City Traffic and Parking Violations on campus and within a defined enforcement boundary.

All of these law enforcement departments share information to track offender criminal histories and arrest information, as well as crime trend information.  The UCCS Police Department has direct lines of communication with these departments, which allow for fast, efficient coordination when necessary.  The UCCS Police Department also works with other state and federal law enforcement agencies as required.

The University is committed to your safety and, as such, has implemented sexual offense prevention programs as well as personal empowerment programs to assist you in preventing a sexual assault.  The programs promote your awareness of rape, acquaintance rape, and other forcible and non- forcible sex offenses.  These programs are given several times throughout the year, with dates made public at the beginning of each semester and announced at new student orientations.

VICTIM ASSISTANCE

The University provides support for victims of crime.  Therefore, do not hesitate to report a crime including incidents of sexual assault and ethnic, racial, or sexual harassment.  As a crime victim, you can obtain assistance on the campus and in the Colorado Springs community.  See the Campus and Community Resource Directory in the back of this booklet for other organizations that provide services to victims of crime.

SEXUAL ASSAULT REPORTING PROCEDURES

The University recognizes that sexual assault is a serious issue and will not tolerate such acts on campus.  The University police will investigate all allegations of sexual assault and take appropriate disciplinary, criminal, or legal action, with prior consent of the victim.  If you become the victim of a sexual assault at this institution, your first priority should be to get to a place of safety.  It is important that you seek help immediately.