Statement of Purpose

The Department of Public Safety at Mount St. Mary's University is a service-oriented, law enforcement, problem-solving, crisis response organization. Its primary purpose is to provide a safe, secure and orderly environment in which teaching, learning and administrative operations of the university have an opportunity to excel.

Philosophy

The goals and objectives of the Department are structured to support the mission of the university in general and the Offices of Student Affairs and Human Resources in particular. The department utilizes a proactive approach in meeting its goals. Any real or perceived event that is, or has the potential of: disrupting operations, causing personal or property injury, or undo stress to a member or guest of the Mount St. Mary's community is our issue to resolve.

Service - Orientated / Problem Solving

As the only campus wide twenty-four-hour operation, the Community is dependent on the staff of Public Safety for all after-hours and weekend problems. The Department will assist individuals in distress with personal and/or professional problems; departments with organizational requirements; visitors with assistance, special events needs, and manage the university fleet. A safe and efficient traffic circulation and parking procedure is maintained through the distribution of information, education and enforcement.

Law Enforcement / Safe Environment

Although each member of the Mount community has a responsibility for personal safety and security, the Department has the responsibility of providing a safe comfort level which meets their expectations. The Department meets this responsibility by providing a visible law enforcement presence, prepared to intervene, protect, comfort and assist a victim of crime. In addition, the Department, as directed by the Student Right-To-Know and Campus Security Act, provides educational programming, training materials, crime statistics and timely security alerts to reduce individual risk. The Department ensures that security access control fixtures and surveyance equipment are in place and operational. A visual crime preventive presence is maintained by means of vehicle and foot patrols of the grounds and buildings. Supervisors are schooled in criminal law and commissioned with the powers of arrest. The Department maintains a close professional relationship with the local fire, police, ambulance and other county agencies that provide emergency support.

Crisis Response

All officers are trained in First Aid, andphysically able to respond and provide immediate first aid in medical emergencies. Officers routinely inspect the fire safety systems and are qualified to respond to an alarm, assume charge and if necessary, to order and direct a building evacuation. Officers respond immediately to incidents of a criminal nature. The Department staff are aware of the sensitiveness of sexual and racial incidents and respond with tack, understanding and empathy. As the department assigned the leadership role in risk management, staff will respond immediately to all unforeseen "acts of God" and other threats to operational management; provide for the injured, call needed assistance; establish control and access damage.

Training

Training, a vital function of the Department, is provided by qualified instructors from within the Mount community, Frederick County Sheriff's Department, and other related agencies. Areas of concentration include, but are not limited to, non-violent crisis intervention, criminal law, sexual assault, suicide, drug & alcohol abuse, work place violence, the use of force, crisis management, ethics, diversity, and community policing. A yearly testing and evaluation program exist to monitor staff performance.

Structure

The Department organization consist of administrative, patrol and support sections. Professionalism, commitment, helpfulness and guardianship are guiding principles of the Department.

Vincent DeCerchio, Director
Office: (301) 447-5642
Fax: (301) 447-5358
decerchio@msmary.edu

Diane Kelly, Asst. Director
Office: (301) 447-5808
Fax: (301) 447-5358
Dkelly@msmary.edu

Eric Baumgartner, Captain
Office: (301) 447-5357
Fax: (301) 447-5358
Baumgart@msmary.edu