RECOMMENDATION 1
The University should ensure that all campus community members know about the Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT) & the expectation to report threats or possible threats and the possible possession of weapons on campus, to the BIT team and to UUPS.
ACTION ITEMS
The Campus Assessment, Response, and Evaluation (CARE) Team at DSU has been meeting weekly, addressing concerning behavior and any threats on campus. A concerted effort is being made to formalize through policy and procedure CARE Team actions and responsibilities, while determining the best options for ensuring our campus community know about the CARE Team’s availability and responsibilities.
RECOMMENDATION 2
UUPS should continue to take seriously reports of weapons, or the possibility of someone bringing a weapon, to campus. The university should provide additional training to employees about proper reporting of weapons or the possibility of weapons on campus.
ACTION ITEMS
DSUPS is working with HR to identify better awareness trainings available, and utilize these trainings to ensure the campus community is aware of expectations that information about actual or possible possession of firearms on campus is referred to DSUPS immediately.
RECOMMENDATION 3
In urgent cases where there is insufficient time to initiate a BIT referral, the possession of guns on campus should be reported to the BIT Coordinator and/or UUPS. The BIT Coordinator and UUPS can then assess the proper response to such a report.
ACTION ITEMS
Firearms on campus training is being identified and implemented through NeoEd (formerly NeoGov) and Safe Colleges, in addition to already successful and ongoing communication between CARE Team members and DSUPS admininstration.
RECOMMENDATION 4
The Advocate tool is robust; however, it needs to be updated periodically. There are also other tools and systems that have more features, especially when dealing with possible threats, not just disturbing behavior. The university should evaluate Advocate against other available programs to ensure they are keeping up with the best tools for the BIT’s use.
ACTION ITEMS
DSU utilizes the Maxient software system for reporting of information to all key stake holders and the CARE Team. A recent website was created for reporting, located at:
RECOMMENDATION 5
The university should streamline reporting processes within Housing.
ACTION ITEMS
DSU Housing and Resident Life has streamlined reporting, processes and procedures, established through the Maxient software system. The DSU Housing Director is a member of the CARE Team, and immediate needs are handled through direct communication with DSUPS.
RECOMMENDATION 6
Whenever possible all involved and interested parties should meet together quickly to discuss cases that could escalate to interpersonal violence. Participants should discuss the issues, and designate a case manager and a strategy to move forward. Appropriate advocates and other campus resources should be engaged as soon as possible.
ACTION ITEMS
DSU Care Team meets weekly while school is in session. Emergency needs are addressed immediately directly to DSUPS through Dean of Students, Housing, General Counsel, Wellness Center, or any others needing involvement for successful resolution.
RECOMMENDATION 7
The University should evaluate guest policies and enforce them.
ACTION ITEMS
Guest policy and procedures have been reviewed and evaluated to meet or exceed best practices by the Director of Housing and staff. Guest policy and procedure is enforced by continually trained and evaluated Resident Managers for all campus housing facilities.
RECOMMENDATION 8
Housing should evaluate current security policies and the university should consider modifying older dorms to provide some form of control as to who enters and leaves dorms in addition to the card-key access system in place in both older and newer dorms.
ACTION ITEMS
A strategic housing development plan in in place, meeting or exceeding standards in this recommendation. Nisson Towers facility has exterior doors that do not allow access control, however, all other housing buildings meet or exceed this recommendation.
RECOMMENDATION 9
UUPS should recognize the police dispatcher who handled the October 10 phone call from Lauren’s mother.
ACTION ITEMS
N/A – This recommendation does not apply to DSU.
RECOMMENDATION 10
The university should evaluate the record management system to ensure security calls are recorded into a single system coordinating relevant security and police information and attaching to a single identifier, thereby allowing officers and detectives access to all information regarding victim, complainant, or suspect when needed.
ACTION ITEMS
DSUPS is reviewing ways to incorporate security calls and action taken into current police records management systems. We do not currently have student security on staff. One full time security/records administrator already has access to police records management systems. We are in the process of determining how best to record and document all security calls and actions within DSUPS.
RECOMMENDATION 11
UUPS should adopt and implement policy and procedure to require that criminal history and Corrections information be sought in every criminal investigation, and other matters beyond routine traffic stops.
All UUPS police personnel and dispatchers should be trained in all law enforcement databases available to them, including criminal histories and parole and probation information.
ACTION ITEMS
DSUPS is authoring General Order 21-01 which is signed for and acknowledged by full-time staff members that criminal history and Corrections information will be sought in every criminal case investigation. DSUPS staff are training in all law enforcement and Corrections databases to accomplish proper criminal history and probation information inquiries.
RECOMMENDATION 12
Leaders from both UUPS and Corrections should meet to discuss mutual concerns and facilitate coordination and cooperation.
ACTION ITEMS
N/A – This recommendation does not apply to DSUPS because UUPS and Corrections have met, resulting in Utah Department of Corrections providing training, resources, and access, to all required databases. DSUPS also has two AP&P agents hired as Reserve Officers who have offered to help whenever possible.
RECOMMENDATION 13
All UUPS police and dispatchers should be trained on the full array of domestic violence indicators to help officers respond appropriately. The university should adopt and train UUPS officers and others in the “Lethality Assessment” recommended by the Utah Domestic Violence Coalition, which focuses on the actions of the perpetrator and not on what the victim believes or perceives. Leadership of UUPS should review current anti-domestic violence efforts. Several universities have a wide range of programs and approaches to address the issues of sexual and interpersonal violence in their many manifestations.
ACTION ITEMS
All DSUPS full time staff are trained and use the “Lethality Assessment Protocol” through the Utah Domestic Violence Coalition and the DOVE Center. Our current domestic violence awareness and response meets best practices, and are part of our agency accreditation requirements.
RECOMMENDATION 14
Some police departments have developed specialized units to deal with these cases utilizing highly trained officers to handle them when they are reported. The research accompanying this review is contained in Appendix B. Chief Brophy should determine how his department might benefit from one or more of the suggested approaches.
ACTION ITEMS
Chief Barfuss and Captain Bridge have extensive training and are highly experienced with sexual assault and domestic violence case investigations. They oversee and investigate all high priority case investigations.
RECOMMENDATION 15
UUPS should adopt and implement policy and procedure to require that criminal history and Corrections information be sought in every criminal investigation, and other matters beyond routine traffic stops.
All UUPS police personnel and dispatchers should be trained in all law enforcement databases available to them, including criminal histories and parole and probation information.
The university should formally request Corrections to investigate why the system failed.
ACTION ITEMS
See answer to Recommendation #12. DSUPS has training and resources that fulfill this recommendation. DSUPS does not need to request Utah Department of Corrections investigate this issue because it has been properly resolved since this reports release.
RECOMMENDATION 16
UUPS should ensure that contact with a victim, in person if possible, occurs early in the investigation, even if only to inform the victim that there will be a delay due to other cases.
ACTION ITEMS
DSUPS uses a Daily Incident Report which is emailed daily to notify all staff of police investigations that take place. DSUPS administration is notified of critical case investigations when they are reported by patrol officers. Each critical case is assigned a dedicated investigator, who works with department Victim Advocates when needed.
RECOMMENDATION 17
UUPS should conduct a review of the on-call detective compensation, duties and expectations. UUPS should implement policies and procedures to ensure that detectives brief each other on their cases so that an on-call detective who is not the primary investigator is at least somewhat familiar with a situation if contacted. This briefing should include the detectives and sergeants. UUPS should adopt and implement policies to ensure that sensitive email and voicemail communications are handled in a timely manner. UUPS should direct that detective sergeants take a more active role in case assignment, management and follow-up.
ACTION ITEMS
DSUPS administration takes an active role in all sexual assault and priority case management, meeting all points of this recommendation.
RECOMMENDATION 18
UUPS officers should not conduct interviews of victims in the lobby of the station.
ACTION ITEMS
DSUPS officers utilize a room directly linked to the office lobby if a conversation or interview needs additional privacy. This room does not have audio or video recording, and is not formally set up as a proper interview room, but it does provide “out of sight” ability to discuss cases or concerns with campus community members.
RECOMMENDATION 19
The university should enhance its efforts to provide students and employees with information and assistance in protecting the integrity, confidentiality and privacy of electronic communications.
ACTION ITEMS
All new faculty and staff hires are assigned information security courses requiring demonstrated understanding and awareness of confidentiality and privacy of electronic communications through Human Resources.
RECOMMENDATION 20
The University should take steps to ensure proper training regarding interaction and communication with the OEO/AA/Title IX.
ACTION ITEMS
The Director of Equity Compliance and Title Coordinator has established proper training regarding interaction and communication with university community members.
RECOMMENDATION 21
Policy, procedures, and expectations should require, whenever possible, face-to-face meetings between the detective and a witness, victim, or concerned member of the public in response to a request for service, even if earlier face-to-face meetings have occurred.
ACTION ITEMS
DSUPS General Order 21-02 directs that when possible, same day contact with a victim, preferably in-person, will be made at the beginning of any case that has the potential to affect personal safety.
RECOMMENDATION 22
The leaders from both organizations should meet, discuss mutual concerns, and ensure improved communication and cooperation.
ACTION ITEMS
All administrators at DSU communicate in a cooperative and timely manner, including weekly CARE Team meetings or handling exigent needs immediately.
RECOMMENDATION 23
The university should support having an advocate within UUPS. The research accompanying this review found many university police departments have employed full-time victim advocates. These advocates are in addition to others who may work for Student Wellness or at a Counseling Center. These advocates can be a tremendous resource to the investigating officer and can provide support to a victim as she or he progresses through the criminal justice system.
ACTION ITEMS
DSUPS Records Administrator is a certified Victim Advocate, as is the current Work Student student employee. Both work well with our Wellness Center and victims of crime. Both Victim Advocates sought out certification on their own, and provide this benefit to DSUPS without compensation or reduced primary job expectations.
RECOMMENDATION 24
The university should conduct a staffing study, including salary information.
ACTION ITEMS
Chief Barfuss conducted a staffing study and proposed salary scale shortly after his arrival at DSU. The salary scale was approved and adopted. The staffing study findings were provided to university administrators, and proposed yearly and five-year strategic growth plans are continually reviewed.
RECOMMENDATION 25
The university, working with the Legislature, should attempt to modify state statutes to enhance the benefits given to law enforcement as was done in the past.
ACTION ITEMS
Chief Barfuss is the representative for the Utah Chiefs of Police Association’s University Chiefs Working Group. Current efforts are being made with University of Utah’s Chief Safety Officer to provide USHE with material beneficial for university campus safety during the upcoming legislative session.
RECOMMENDATION 26
UUPS should review and augment its policing policies to make them more applicable to campus policing.
ACTION ITEMS
All DSUPS policy and procedure was written, reviewed, and approved, by General Counsel and through use of the Lexipol system within the past two years.
RECOMMENDATION 27
UUPS should pursue accreditation.
ACTION ITEMS
All DSUPS policy and procedure was independently evaluated and approved, meeting industry best practices, through receiving agency accreditation from the Utah Chiefs of Police Accreditation Alliance. DSUPS is the only university/college in Utah to be an accredited police agency.
RECOMMENDATION 28
The university should conduct a space and work use study and consider a new location or a renovated facility.
ACTION ITEMS
DSUPS currently does not have necessary facilities for policing and public safety administration. Evidence facilities, interview rooms, storage space, training rooms, and office space, are needed. This discussion was not planned to occur for another year but recently was addressed and is being further explored.
RECOMMENDATION 29
The university should clarify its procedures regarding notification and engagement of BIT in appropriate circumstances.
ACTION ITEMS
CARE Team members have requested creation of policy and procedure for actions and operating procedures. The CARE Team needs formalized policy and procedure, including procedures regarding notification and engagement of CARE in appropriate circumstances.
RECOMMENDATION 30
Whenever possible, UUPS and Housing should involve the advocates so they can lend their experience, and give advice and support. These advocates can offer significant advice to administrators or direct assistance to students in a variety of ways including housing adjustments, safety plans, no-contact directives, and referral to other offices and/or the police.
ACTION ITEMS
DSUPS and Housing involve Victim Advocates as much as possible. Victim Advocates are a resource to Title IX, the Wellness Center, the Multi-Cultural Inclusion Center, and many others on campus. Victim Advocates have helped many students and faculty with no-contact directives, protective orders, and criminal case progress through the court system. They work in partnership with all local advocates and resources.