Three weeks ago, when a student was allegedly assaulted during an on-campus party, Campus Safety officers were already on the scene assisting an intoxicated student, Director of Campus Safety James Shropshire told The S&B in an email on Nov. 7.
“One of the responding officers heard a commotion and noticed a student being struck by one of the non-students,” Shropshire wrote. “The two non-students ran away.”
While Campus Safety plays a key role in maintaining campus security, its jurisdiction is limited. Officers are not certified or sworn peace officers. Their authority to make arrests is restricted by Iowa State Statute 804.9, which permits a private person to make an arrest only if a public offense is committed in their presence or if there is reasonable belief a felony has been committed.
“That said, we do not carry handcuffs, nor are we trained or equipped to physically intervene in a hostile, dangerous or unsafe situation,” Shropshire wrote. “We rely upon our law enforcement partners in the Grinnell Police Department or the Poweshiek County Sheriff’s Office to intervene in a difficult and dangerous situation and make an arrest.”
“We recommend that our staff leave and help others to leave an unsafe area and, in the event of a violent encounter, immediately contact law enforcement and provide aid to the victim,” Shropshire added.
As an unsworn agency, Campus Safety is required to comply with the Clery Act, a federal law mandating the disclosure of crime statistics and safety policies for colleges and universities. Each year, the department publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, which is available to all members of the Grinnell College community.
A 2023 report reveals a total of four criminal offenses reported on Grinnell College’s campus — three sex offenses and one burglary. Additionally, there were 33 liquor law violations and 3 drug abuse violations. There were no reported hate crimes or unfounded crimes. The report also highlights three cases of offenses in 2023 under the Violence Against Women Act, which seeks to prevent and respond to domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence and stalking.
According to the report, when a crime is reported, the department either dispatches an officer or asks the victim to file an incident report. All crimes are investigated and may become public records.
Investigations may also involve local law enforcement, and when perpetrators are identified as students or employees, the appropriate College office will handle disciplinary action.
Patrol operations
Shropshire explained that patrol operations at Grinnell College remain largely consistent around the clock. Daily duties include tasks such as locking and unlocking buildings.
Staffing is most significant during weekends, with three to four officers on duty for each shift, along with a supervisor.
Patrol operations can vary based on several factors, including the number of staff on duty, time of day, weather conditions and any special events on campus. To cover the entire campus, Campus Safety employs a range of strategies, including the use of golf carts, patrol vehicles, bicycles and walking patrols.
Privacy and staffing diversity
In line with maintaining the privacy of both students and staff, Campus Safety does not release the names of officers involved in specific incidents. “You may find employee information online in the Grinnell College directory to learn the names of the Campus Safety staff,” Shropshire wrote.
“We also have pictures of all our staff on the website associated with the directory search and have a physical picture frame with officer pictures within the Mears Cottage Lobby.”
Diversity within Campus Safety has been a topic of concern for some students. In 2022, Grinnell’s chapter of Cops Off Campus, a national student police abolitionist coalition, protested the department’s move to Mears Cottage, citing concerns about power imbalances and diversity among officers.
Shropshire addressed these concerns, acknowledging that the law enforcement and security field has historically struggled with diversity. “The law enforcement and security field, which we are adjacent to, has traditionally had difficulties recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce,” Shropshire wrote.
Despite working with the College’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to enhance recruitment efforts, he admitted that these efforts have not yet been as successful as desired.
