Berea College stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement and those peacefully demonstrating against police brutality across the country and around the world. As the first interracial and coeducational college in the slaveholding South in 1855, this moment calls for our support. Our history and our commitments demand it.
Mission
Public Safety’s mission is to provide for the safety of students, employees, and visitors through hazard mitigation, planning, response, and emergency notification to allow students and employees to learn and work safely and successfully, and to support Berea’s Great Commitments through our work and customer service.
Berea College Public Safety at ext. 3333 is the central point of contact for all matters related to the safety and health of the college community and all issues related to personal security and protection of property.
Berea College has developed policies and procedures, offers educational programs, cooperates with local law enforcement agencies, and supports a Department of Public Safety to enhance the safety and security of its students, employees, and guests. The college recognizes shared responsibility for the welfare of the community. This publication, in addition to outlining the institution’s efforts in this regard, reminds students and employees of their personal responsibility to take prudent precautions and to inform others, especially Public Safety, about known safety hazards or security concerns. More detailed information on the following sections can be found in the Catalog and Student Handbook or by calling the departments of Public Safety or Student Life.
Department of Public Safety
The Department of Public Safety provides 24-hour service to the campus employing 14 full-time staff which includes a Director, three Public Safety Officer Shift Leaders, six Public Safety Officers, Telecommunications Team Leader, five full-time Telecommunicators, a Security Systems Coordinator, and approximately fifteen Student Associates who work 10 hours or more each week. None are sworn law enforcement officials. The department works closely with the Berea Police Department and other local law enforcement agencies when appropriate and necessary. Current signed agreements with local and state law enforcement agencies are limited to radio communication and motor vehicle license information.
Officers’ expertise includes law enforcement, criminal and accident investigation, security patrol and crime prevention, fire safety, hazardous materials, defensive driving, parking and traffic control, basic first aid, and CPR/AED.
Telecommunicators expertise include APCO certification for Telecommunication, CTO training, FEMA, APCO Instructor, basic first aid, and CPR/AED.
Public Safety is located inside Woods-Penniman on the first floor. Dispatchers and officers are on duty 24 hours a day to answer calls for assistance and information. The department also has maps and brochures available with general information on the College and College Square businesses.
The Student Right to Know and Campus Security Act (Clery Act)
The Student Right to Know and Campus Security Act signed into law in November 1990, requires that all institutions of higher education report annually to students and employees on specific campus crime statistics and security policies and procedures. This report meets the requirements of that law and demonstrates compliance with the Federal Drug Free Schools and Communities Acts Amendments of 1989 to the Higher Education Act of 1965.