Chapter 1 - Campus Safety Role and Authority
Policy 100
100.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The manual of the San Mateo County Community College - Department of Public Safety (DPS) is hereby established and shall be referred to as the Policy Manual or the manual. The manual is a statement of the current policies, rules and guidelines of this department. All members are to conform to the provisions of this manual. All prior and existing manuals, orders and regulations that are in conflict with this manual are rescinded, except to the extent that portions of existing manuals, procedures, orders and other regulations that have not been included herein shall remain in effect, provided that they do not conflict with the provisions of this manual.
100.1.1 DISCLAIMER
The provisions contained in this Policy Manual are not intended to create an employment contract, nor any employment rights or entitlements. The policies contained within this manual are for the internal use of the San Mateo County Community College District - Department of Public Safety Department and shall not be construed to create a higher standard or duty of care for civil or criminal liability against the District, its officials or employees. Violations of any provision of any policy contained within this manual shall only form the basis for departmental administrative action, training or discipline. The San Mateo County Community College District - Department of Public Safety Department reserves the right to revise any policy content, in whole or in part.
100.2 POLICY
Except where otherwise expressly stated, the provisions of this manual shall be considered as guidelines. It is recognized that the work of DPS is not always predictable and circumstances may arise which warrant departure from these guidelines. It is the intent of this manual to be viewed from an objective standard, taking into consideration the sound discretion entrusted to members of this department under the circumstances reasonably available at the time of any incident.
100.2.1 COMMAND STAFF
Command Staff shall consist of the following:
- Chief/Director of Public Safety
- Captain from each Campus
- Lieutenant Command staff shall review all recommendations regarding proposed changes to the manual.
100.2.2 OTHER PERSONNEL
All Department employees suggesting revision of the contents of the Policy Manual shall forward their suggestion, by e-mail, to Command Staff who will consider the recommendation(s).
100.3 AUTHORITY
The Chief/Director shall be considered the ultimate authority for the content and adoption of the provisions of this manual and shall ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state and local laws.
100.3.1 DEFINITIONS
The following words and terms shall have these assigned meanings, unless it is apparent from the content that they have a different meaning:
- Adult - Shall mean any person 18 years of age or older
- Captain - Site Commanders for campus and Public Safety Officers assigned to the campus
- CHP - Shall refer to the California Highway Patrol
- District - Shall mean the San Mateo County Community College District
- DPS - Shall refer to the San Mateo County Community College District - Department of Public Safety
- DMV - Shall mean the Department of Motor Vehicles
- Employee/Personnel - Shall apply to any person employed by the San Mateo County Community College District. - Department of Public Safety
- Juvenile - Shall mean any person under the age of 18 years
- Manual - Shall refer to the San Mateo County Community College District - Department of Public Safety Policy Manual
- Member - Term applied to all persons who are employed by the Department.
- MOU - Agreement Between the San Mateo County Community College District and the California School Employee Association, Chapter 33
- Officer - Applies to those employees, regardless of rank, who are employees of the San Mateo County Community College District - Department of Public Safety.
- On-Duty - Employee status during the period when he/she is actually engaged in the performance of his or her assigned duties, during scheduled work hours
- Order - An instruction either written or verbal issued by a superior
- POST - Shall mean the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training
- PSO - Public Safety Officer Rank - Shall mean the title of the classification held by a member of the Department of Public Safety.
- Shall - Indicates a mandatory action
- Should (or may) - Indicates a permissive or discretionary action
- SMCCCD - San Mateo County Community College District
100.3.2 DISTRIBUTION OF MANUAL
A computerized version of the Policy Manual is available on the Public Safety Policy Platform for access by Public Safety employees.
100.4 MANUAL ACCEPTANCE
All employees are required to electronically acknowledge a statement of receipt confirming they have been provided access to the Public Safety Policy Platform and understand they are responsible to read and understand its contents.
100.5 ISSUING THE POLICY MANUAL
An electronic version of the Policy Manual will be made available to all members on the Public Safety Policy Platform No changes shall be made to the manual without authorization from the Chief/Director of Public Safety or the authorized designee. Each member shall acknowledge that he/she has been provided access to, and has had the opportunity to review the Policy Manual.. Members shall seek clarification as needed from supervisors for any provisions that they do not understand.
100.6 PERIODIC REVIEW OF THE POLICY MANUAL
The Chief/Director will ensure that the Policy Manual is reviewed and updated as necessary, or required by law.
100.7 REVISIONS TO POLICIES
All revisions to the Policy Manual will be provided to each member on or before the date the policy becomes effective. Each member will be required to acknowledge he/she has reviewed the revisions. Members are responsible for being aware of all Policy Manual revisions. Each Captain will ensure that members under his/her supervision are aware of Policy Manual revisions.