Reporting
Criminal Actions
The Pittsburg State University Police Department is a full
service law enforcement agency consisting of fourteen (13) full-time commissioned
police officers. The Department maintains 24-hour dispatch services, 365 days
a year. Police officers are radio dispatched to all calls for emergency or routine
services. Police reports are also taken at the University Police Department
in Shirk Hall.
Officers of this department receiving information in reference
to a crime occurring within the jurisdiction of this department immediately
initiate a written report on a Kansas Standard Offense form.
Reports dealing with criminal activity and listing a suspect
are brought to the attention of a supervisor for further processing. These reports
are sent to the Crawford County Attorney's office for possible prosecution.
The final disposition of these cases is at the discretion of the prosecuting
attorney.
Sexual Violence
or Sexual Assault is a felony crime. It should always be reported immediately
to the University Police, City Police, a resident hall director or assistant,
whether the act of violence be by a stranger, an acquaintance, or a "date
rape." University personnel will assist in the report process. The procedures
outlined below are designed to protect the student who has been hurt by these
behaviors and to stop the offensive behavior. The due process rights of alleged
offenders are protected, as well as the rights of the victim. Time is
essential.
Women should NOT change clothes, shower,
bathe, or douche. If possible, do not go to the toilet. Save all clothing, linens,
or other items that may have been touched by the assailant for the police officers
who will be responsible for evidence. Do not wash clothing, linens or other
items that may have been touched by the assailant. All physical evidence, including
seminal fluids, hair, blood types and scrapings of flesh from the victim's fingernails
are used in court.
Go to a safe location as soon as possible. If you can find
a friend to accompany you, that would be even safer. From the safe location
call:
Pittsburg State University Police, (620)235-4624
or City of Pittsburg Police Department, (620)231-1700
or Crawford County Sheriff's Department, (620)724-8274
or Safehouse Shelter, (620)231-8251
or Mount Carmel Medical Center, (620)231-6100
or PSU
Campus Life, (620)235-4231
or PSU
Student Health Services, (620)235-4452
or Your residence hall director or assistant
or Contact the Sexual Assault
Response Team (SART) hotline at 1-888-594-SAFE(7233). This hotline will
be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The SART members are PSU students
who have been trained to provide emotional and information support to victims
or to people who care about victims.
Alternatively, you may go directly to the University Police
Department, 1501 S. Joplin (open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week) or to the Mount
Carmel Medical Center Emergency Room, Centennial & Rouse.
You may request that the police investigation be conducted
by a police officer of your gender (i.e. a female police officer for a female
student, a male police officer for a male student) if available. As a victim
of sexual assault, your name should not be released to the news media.
Be prepared to go to the Mount Carmel Medical Center Emergency
Room, Centennial & Rouse, and request a medical examination by the Emergency
Room physician using the Rape Kit required for evidence in cases of sexual assault.
This is done free of charge to the victim. You should get to the hospital as
soon as it is safe and possible. The University or City Police or Sheriff's
Deputy will be able to arrange transportation to the hospital as soon as an
assault that has taken place is reported.
Make formal complaint against the assailant. A formal complaint
for legal action against the assailant should be made to the County Attorney
through the Police Department (no fee will be charged). For criminal prosecution
a victim has two years to file a report from the day of the crime but it should
be done as quickly as possible.
In order to be eligible for compensation under the Kansas
Crime Victims Compensation, the crime must be reported to the law enforcement
agency where the crime was committed within 72 hours of the event unless the
Crime Victims Compensation Board finds there was good cause for the failure
to report. The victim must be completely cooperative with the law enforcement
agency. The victim must file a claim with the Crime Victims Compensation Board
within one year of the occurrence of the crime.
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