Freqently Asked Questions

Helpful Hints Regarding Police Procedures

The purpose of this information is to inform the public of our expectations regarding stops, pullovers, and filing reports of complaints. Our staff is highly trained and exists to serve all people within its jurisdiction with respect, fairness, and compassion.

If an officer stops you in your vehicle, you should do the following:

• stay in the car unless instructed otherwise
• establish eye contact with the officer to better communicate
• if dark, turn on interior lights
• listen and remain calm
• be cooperative
• keep hands on steering wheel
• provide license, proof of insurance, and vehicle registration (if asked)
• answer truthfully
• don’t resist
• don’t yell, curse, or threaten the officer
• ask questions (if desired)
• you have the right to contest a ticket before the judge

If you are pulled over, the police will do the following:

• ASK for you identification. You know who you are but the officer may not.
• USE his or her flashlight to illuminate the interior the interior of the vehicle as a safety precaution. As the officer approaches your car, he or she is not sneaking up on the driver. The officer is minimizing his exposure to traffic and to unknown danger from inside the vehicle.
• BACK UP each other or support another officer’s calls. Therefore, several officers may appear on the scene. Do not feel threatened or intimated by this. Service and protection are our primary goals.
• REMAIN in his or her car for a period of time while checking your registration and driving status.
• MAINTAIN a professional demeanor and may not be as talkative or friendly as you expect. Know that the officer may be dealing with other pressing matters and you are not being mistreated.
• ASK observers who gather around to move back or disperse. This is a safety precaution and is standard procedure. The officer is not attempting to hide, “cover-up”, or violate citizens’ rights. He or she is simply trying to maintain control and prevent further problems. Remember that interfering with the police in these situations is a crime.

The officer has a reason for stopping you. He or she may have reason to suspect that you are in violation of the law, a code of student conduct, or may be aware of a crime/emergency in a nearby area. Traffic and equipment violations are the most frequent reasons for stopping vehicles, as well as vehicle matches in crime investigations.

The officer is to follow police/safety procedures during vehicle stops. His or her focus is on the protection of the motorist and his/hers safety since officers are sometimes injured or killed in the line of duty.

If you are issued a ticket, detained, or arrested and you disagree or have objections, questions, or protests, DON”T ARGUE AT THE SCENE.

The University of Southern Mississippi Police Expectations

If an officer appoaches you while you are on foot, you should do the following:

• don’t run
• be calm
• present a good attitude
• establish eye contact with the officer to better communicate
• listen
• give identification (if asked)
• be cooperative
• follow directions
• answer truthfully
• ask questions (if desired)
• don’t yell, curse or threaten the officer

Call The University of Southern Mississippi Police Department at 266-4986 and ask to speak to the chief or a supervisor, if you:

• OBSERVE or witness questionable police action
• WISH to speak with a supervisor or Chief Bob Hopkins
• WISH to know police procedures
• DESIRE an explanation of UPD procedure and policy
• WISH to obtain a copy of the department compliance report, crime log, or other compliance reports.
  

Lost and Found Property

Lost and found property turned into The University of Southern Mississippi Police Department is stored for at least 90 days, then transferred to The University of Southern Mississippi Property Accountability for the yearly public auction. Items are periodically posted in the Student Printz for identification by the owner(s).

“Quick Facts for Responding to Anthrax and other Biological Threats”

The following information was taken from several sources, including Mississippi Department of Health, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Anthrax Fact Sheet, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Domestic Preparedness, and Template Anthrax Threat Advisory

If you see or receive a suspicious package, letter, or note:

DON’T PANIC.

Do not disturb the package. Call UPD at 6-4986 or 911. Be prepared to provide the location of the package, a description, and your location and contact numbers.

- DO NOT open the item
- DO NOT shake or empty the contents of any suspicious envelope or package.
- Place in clear plastic zipper storage bag to prevent possible leakage of contents.
- Wash your hands with soap and water.
- Notify your supervisor.
- Follow further instructions given to you by UPD.

If you receive AND OPEN a package, letter, or note threatening anthrax contamination, or if a suspicious substance is present:

DON’T PANIC.

Call UPD at 6-4986 or 911. Be prepared to provide the location of the package, a description, and your location and contact numbers.

- Set it down gently at the location where you first opened it.
- Do not clean up the area. Keep others from entering the room or area.
- Turn off any fans in the area.
- If in a room, close the window(s) and door(s). Leave the room or area and go to an area that will minimize your contact with others.
- Wash hands with soap and water if possible.

- If material is on clothing, don’t brush off vigorously.
- Notify your supervisor, who should instruct people not to enter or exit the area.
- Make a list of all people who had actual contact with the suspicious substance or were in the room or area.
- Follow further instructions given to you by UPD.

What you should NOT do:

- Do not pass the letter or suspicious package to others to inspect.
- Do not transport contents to a hospital, emergency room, or the clinic.
- Do not disturb any contents in the letter or package. Handling the letter or package can spread the substance and increase the chances of it getting into the air.
- DO NOT ignore the threat; it must be treated as real until properly evaluated.

Screening mail for suspicious letters or packages:

A concern of many is the receipt of a letter or package containing anthrax spores or other biological agents. Many biological threats targeting individuals or departments can frequently be controlled by screening of materials and by following the procedures listed below. Responding public safety agencies have plans in place to deal with these types of threats. Following the procedures below will activate those plans and promote the highest level of safety while minimizing the disruption associated with these incidents.

The University of Southern Mississippi Post Office is charged with the initial monitoring responsibilities for suspicious letters and packages in accordance with guidelines from the U.S. Postal Service. Many of the letters and packages arriving on campus have previously gone through one or more screening processes before arriving on campus. However, in the event that a letter or package is obtained by some means other than the university mail system, the following are common features of threatening letters or packages:

- no return address
- handwritten or poorly typed address
- misspelling of common words
- restrictive markings such as “Confidential” or “Personal”
- excessive weight, or feel of a powdery or foreign substance

If a letter or package exhibits any of these warning clues, DO NOT OPEN IT. No one is at risk provided there is nothing leaking from the package. Call the University Police Department at 6-4986 or 911 to report the item and relate that the envelope has not been opened and there is no substance leaking out. Follow the instructions of law enforcement personnel.

Note: A threat involving weapons of mass destruction (biological, chemical, or nuclear agents) is a FEDERAL offense.

If you have questions or need more information,
contact the University Police Department at 6-4986.

CITIZEN COMPLAINT PROCEDURE

The University Police Department is committed to handling citizen complaints in a fair and impartial manner. The complaint investigation process is designed to serve our citizens and employees in a fair and impartial manner, while protecting the rights of everyone involved.

Filing a complaint against an officer has no bearing on any criminal charges that may have been filed against the complainant. If criminal charges have been filed and the complainant fails to appear in court, then he or she may be found guilty in absentia.

Complaint forms are available at the University Police Department. If you wish to be contacted about your complaint, you must include the name, address and telephone number of the complainant and the date and time (if known) of the incident and return promptly. It must also include a detailed explanation of the complaint and signature of the complainant.

At any time during the investigation, the complainant should feel free to contact the investigating officer at 601-266-4986. The director or his designee will notify the complainant as to the disposition of the complaint when a final determination has been made.

The University Police Department will accept anonymous complaints. These complaints will be investigated where sufficiend information is available to validate the complaint.

Internal Affairs Summary - 2007

For the calendar year 2007 the University of Southern Mississippi Police Department received six internal affairs complaints. The complaints concerned the following areas:

• Harassment (1)
• Excessive Force (1)
• Rudeness/Disorderly (1)
• Failure to Take Action (2)
• Pending (1)

These complaints were adjudicated in the following ways:

• Not Sustained (2)
• Sustained (1)
• Other (2)
• Pending (1)

EMERGENCY & CRITICAL INCIDENT RESPONSE

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