Campus security authorities
At Portland Community College (PCC), maintaining a warm and welcoming campus environment is one of our highest priorities. Campus Security Authorities (CSAs) are a vital component of our institutional effort to keep our campuses safe and to comply with the federal law known as the Clery Act. A “Campus Security Authority” (CSA) is Clery Act specific term which specifies individuals employed by a college or university, who by virtue of their institutional responsibilities, is designated to receive and report criminal incidents to the office designated to receive those reports so the reports can be included in the College’s Annual Security Report.
Department of Public Safety (DPS) personnel are all designated CSAs under the Clery Act and are available to receive reports of crime. In the event a crime survivor chooses not to report the crime to law enforcement they may confidentially report the crime to the Clery Specialist. If the crime reported is a Clery crime and occurred on PCC owned or controlled property, the crime will be reflected in the College’s Annual Security Report.
The Clery Act mandated responsibilities of Campus Security Authorities are straightforward – to report Clery Act crimes that are reported to you to, which occurred on a PCC campus or associated property, to the Clery Specialist for PCC. Reports received by the Clery Specialist are evaluated for threat to the PCC community and analyzed for location before being included in the crime statistics reported in the Annual Security Report.
There are four categories of CSAs defined by the Clery Act:
- A campus police department or a campus security department of an institution.
- Any individual who has responsibility for campus security but is not a member of a campus police department or a campus security department (e.g., an individual who is responsible for monitoring the entrance into institutional property, such as a security guard).
- Any individual or organization specified in an institution’s statement of campus security policy as an individual or organization to which students and employees should report criminal offense; or
- An official of an institution who has significant responsibility for student and campus activities, including, but not limited to, student housing, student discipline and campus judicial proceedings. An official is defined as any person who has the authority and the duty to take action or respond to particular issues on behalf of the institution.
What is confidential crime reporting through CSAs?
Occasionally, a person may want to seek assistance and report a crime anonymously. For example, if you are a victim of sexual assault and wish to seek help, medical or otherwise, without contacting law enforcement, you can confidentially report the incident to a designated CSA. Your CSA can provide you with information and resources and help you obtain the support you need without filing a police report. If you cannot locate a CSA, contact the Clery Specialist for assistance in filing a report and obtaining resources and support.
All PCC CSAs are notified of their designation upon assuming their role which makes them a CSA, and on an annual basis thereafter. PCC CSAs receive notification of their designation as a CSA and are assigned Clery Act training in Cornerstone on an annual basis.