Public Safety FAQ

Phone: 413-538-2304
On the Web: Public Safety

What does Public Safety do?

Public Safety provides police services for the community (responding to and investigating incidents and accidents, assisting victims, etc.) as well as many other security services such as lockouts, emergency medical treatment, and on-campus medical transportation. In addition, the department is available to do programming for the community on topics such as self defense, CPR, personal safety, and more. Public Safety also patrol the campus 24 hours per day, watching for suspicious activity and security and safety hazards.

What is the policy on parental notification?

Mount Holyoke College students are adults. When an incident arises with a student, we will work with the student for the most appropriate response for her needs. While we are happy to address concerns or suggestions from parents, we are unable to discuss with them the specifics of departmental interactions with our students. If a parent has a concern, however, about a safety issue, an issue that their daughter may not have brought to the department's attention, or would like some general guidelines, s/he may call the Director of Public Safety at x2304 from on campus, or 413-538-2304 from off campus or a cell phone.

To be consistent with College policy which recognizes Mount Holyoke College students as adults, we generally do not discuss students' parking issues with parents. Even when a parent is the owner of a vehicle, our policy is that student operators are responsible for their accounts on campus. We are happy to receive suggestions and concerns.

Are Public Safety Officers "real" police officers?

Public Safety Officers, and the part time Reserve Officers, are licensed police officers. They receive powers of arrest for the Mount Holyoke College campus through the Massachusetts State Police and receive training from the State Police as well as the Criminal Justice Training Council. Each officer is required to take annual Massachusetts continuing education training to be recertified. New officers must successfully complete a 14-week training program at the State Police Academy.

How do I (or my daughter) reach Public Safety?

Public Safety can be reached at x2304 from on campus, or 413-538-2304 from off campus or a cell phone. In an emergency, Public Safety can be reached on campus at 1-911 or by picking up an Emergency Phone; these phones ring directly to the Public Safety dispatcher as a priority line (except at the Canoe House where you must dial x2304). The Department of Public Safety is located in the Central Services building.

My daughter received an annoying phone call; should she report this?

The Public Safety Department recommends reporting all annoying telephone calls. This is particularly important when the calls are repetitive, threatening, or disconcerting to the recipient of the phone calls. Annoying phone calls are normally the most-reported crimes on campus each year. Most of these calls tend to come in groups when a caller will telephone numbers within the campus attempting to engage people in conversation. They are more annoying than threatening. The department does track these calls and works with the Telephone Business Office and outside telephone companies to prevent further annoying calls if possible. More information is available on annoying telephone calls.

Will Public Safety let my daughter into her room if she gets locked out?

Public Safety will provide lockout services to students, faculty, and staff who are locked out of their assigned spaces. HOWEVER, we are not able to let any community member into another person's or department's space. Officers will ask for identification before opening an assigned space. Students are charged $15 for lockout services. More information on lockouts is available online.

Will Public Safety open the trunk room for my daughter when she moves in or out of her residence hall?

Public Safety can not provide trunk room services at any time during the year. However, Residential Life staff can provide access to these spaces if you make arrangements with them.

My daughter's car will not start; will Public Safety jump start it?

Public Safety has "jump kits" that we can use to assist you. These will not work in every situation, and are not always available due to charging time, etc. We suggest enlisting the help of a friend or fellow community member if we are unable to assist, or using a service such as an auto club or local service station. See the Vehicle Assistance Program for more information and more suggestions.

If my daughter files a report, will Public Safety release her name?

By department policy, Public Safety does not release the names of victims to the public. We may, however, refer cases to the Dean of Students office or other relevant offices on campus. In the case of a sexual assault, Massachusetts state law requires that a victim's name be withheld from the public, and Public Safety will only release a name if permission is given to do so. More information is available on sexual assaults.

If my daughter files a report with Public Safety, does she have to press charges against someone?

In most cases, it is solely the choice of the victim whether or not charges are brought against an offender. In domestic violence cases, the department may be required by Massachusetts law to act based on information we receive about such situations. Public Safety strongly recommends that any incident occurring on campus be reported to the department so the community can be warned if a hazard exists.

What is a CSO?

A CSO is a Community Service Officer. CSOs are students at Mount Holyoke College as well as students at local colleges who have an interest in law enforcement. CSOs are assigned to foot patrol of the campus and also to operate the RIDE Van.

What is a PSO?

A PSO is a Public Service Officer. PSOs are people with some experience in law enforcement-related fields, but are not certified as sworn officers. PSOs are assigned to foot patrol, operation of the RIDE Van, and providing coverage in the dispatch center.

What is a Reserve Officer?

A Reserve Officer is a part-time on-call sworn officer. They augment the full-time staff by covering events and special details as well as filling in on shifts for full-time officers who take time off, and also provide extra shift coverage during busy times of the year. They help us to keep costs down by averting some overtime. These officers are often employed full-time in other jobs in law enforcement.