State commission regulates campus police crime reporting
State commission revises campus response to rape, deaths
According to VCU Police’s 2011 Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, VCU has reported zero murders since 2008. In 2008, there were 12 forcible sex offenses between VCU’s two campuses. In 2009 and 2010, there were nine reported forcible sex offenses. Under the state crime commission’s new regulations, some of these types of crimes would be reported to Richmond Police. VCU Police already work in cooperation with city police, but new regulations will require all campus police to report any rape or death to local police forces.
Mason Brown
Staff Writer
The Virginia State Crime Commission is making steps toward changing the way in which crimes on campus are reported.
The commission met in a panel for several hours last week and decided to change regulations regarding the manner in which campus police report deaths and rapes.
As it is now, crimes of those natures are not required by law to be reported to local police by campus police. The new language establishes aid in shared jurisdictions and requires the notification of outside law enforcement when a death or rape is reported on campus.
At VCU, campus police share jurisdiction with the Richmond city police force.
“I think that the newest amended language does the most to provide victims with the best services that law enforcement has to offer,” VCU police Chief John Venuti said. “That has been the goal every step of the way.”
The changes are being made in the interest of victims so that campus police and local police work in the most effective way for the victim and not the school.
“The VCU Police Department is a professional, capable, full-service law enforcement agency. If I need resources from another agency, I ask for them,” Venuti said. “This attitude provides the best possible service and investigation to victims of crime.”
According to Venuti, VCU Police already report major crimes to Richmond Police.
“VCU works collaboratively with many groups here at VCU (like) students, faculty and residents of the city of Richmond. We have used that same collaborative style with our partners in law enforcement. It’s a win-win scenario,” Venuti said.
The panel saw a conflict between some campus police and proposed changes. Some officers did not want the creation of classes between officers as it could harm recruitment for some departments. Many officers, however, were in support of the changes.
Venuti said he is not in opposition of the change, as it simply mandates the working relationship VCU Police already have with Richmond Police.
The commission also is considering requiring the reports and investigation of child abuse on campus in light of recent events at Penn State. The panel will examine if college employees should be added to the list of those required under state law to report cases of suspected child abuse.
The panel will meet again next month before deciding to send any recommendations to the General Assembly.
Infographics by Ying Cheng
