Georgetown University

Main Campus / Medical Center Security Policies and Procedures

Burglary or Theft. When DPS is contacted about a burglary or a theft, the typical response will be:

  1. The dispatcher will inquire about the location and description of the perpetrator.
    1. If the perpetrator is still within the office, room, apartment or campus grounds, DPS officers will be dispatched to the location of the crime and will search for the perpetrator.
    2. If there is a description of the perpetrator but the location of the perpetrator is not known, the description of the perpetrator will be broadcast over the DPS radio, and MPD will be notified of the description and the crime.
    3. If neither the location nor the description of the perpetrator is known, a DPS officer will be dispatched to the scene of the crime and, in conjunction with the DPS watch commander, will make all relevant inquiries and preliminary investigations.
  2. The DPS dispatcher will contact the MPD Crime Scene Search Unit:
    1. If the value of the property stolen is in excess of $250;
    2. If there is any sign of a forced entry;
    3. If University property is stolen or damaged;
    4. If the victim(s) requests that MPD be contacted;
    5. If the victim has the serial number(s) of the item(s) stolen.
  3. If MPD is contacted, DPS officers will secure the crime scene until the MPD Crime Scene Search Unit arrives.
  4. If MPD is not contacted, the DPS investigative unit will conduct a thorough investigation and, if possible, will apprehend the perpetrator and/or will recover the stolen property.

Assault, Robbery or Fight. If DPS is contacted regarding an assault, robbery or fight, the typical response will be:

  1. The dispatcher will contact DPS patrol officers regarding the location and the nature of the crime. The patrol officers will proceed to the scene of the assault, robbery or fight.
  2. Once at the scene the patrol officers will:
    1. Interview the reporting person if possible.
    2. Identify as many key witnesses and facts as possible.
    3. Determine the identity and whereabouts of the victim(s) and the perpetrator(s).
  3. The patrol officer, in consultation with the watch commander, will assess the situation and may contact other University personnel, depending on the circumstances.
    1. In case of serious injury, patrol officers may contact GERMS or another ambulance service to transport the victim(s) to the emergency room.
    2. If the perpetrator is a student, the Office of Student Conduct will be notified of the incident.
    3. If the victim is a student:
      • Depending on the severity of the injuries, the dispatcher may contact the Student Health Attending Physician On Duty to activate the medical emergency protocol.
      • If a foreign student is involved, the Office of International Programs (OIP) may be contacted, if appropriate.
      • The Residence Life Senior Staff Person on Duty will be contacted. The senior staff person will communicate all relevant information to the Associate Director of Residence Life who will help determine if any further action is needed (e.g. provide counseling for the victim, alternative housing or support).
      • The investigative section of DPS, in conjunction with MPD (if applicable), will conduct further inquiry into the incident and will attempt to recover property and/or apprehend the assailant(s).
    4. If the assault occurs off campus and the victim(s) contacts DPS, DPS will:
      • Contact MPD.
      • The victim(s) will be notified of avenues of recourse, including referrals to MPD's Citizens Complaint Center.

Homicide, Suicide, Fatal Accident or Death. If DPS is notified of a homicide, suicide, fatal accident, or death on campus the typical response will be:

  1. MPD will be contacted immediately. DPS officers will preserve the scene until MPD arrives.
  2. If a student or employee is involved as a victim or an alleged perpetrator, the identity of the student or employee will be ascertained and verified.
  3. All available information regarding the circumstances of the death will be gathered.
  4. Appropriate University administrators will be notified, including, for example:
    1. Vice President for University Safety
    2. Vice President of Student Affairs
    3. Alumni and University Relations
    4. Campus Ministry
    5. Student Health
    6. Academic Deans
    7. Office of Public Affairs
    8. Departmental Supervisor (in the case of an employee)
  5. Family members, roommate(s) and close friends will be notified by appropriate University personnel. Every effort will be made to provide proper support for all individuals involved.
  6. All necessary investigations will be conducted and coordinated by MPD.

Sexual Assault. If DPS is contacted regarding a sexual assault, an attempted sexual assault or another form of sexual offense, the typical response will be:

  1. DPS officers will respond to the call to assist the victim. The officers will:
    1. Encourage the victim to obtain medical treatment.
    2. Remind the victim of the importance of preserving evidence until the appropriate examinations have been conducted.
    3. Gather all relevant information and get a description of the suspect. If the perpetrator is believed to be nearby, an officer will begin a search for the perpetrator and another officer will remain with the victim.
    4. Contact the Sexual Assault Services Coordinator
  2. If the victim is a student, with the victim's consent the DPS watch commander may contact appropriate people to provide immediate in-person support. Such people may include:
    1. Residence Life Senior Staff on Duty.
    2. Associate Director/Director of Residence Life.
    3. Student Health Service clinician on duty and/or Counseling and Psychiatric Services staff on duty.
    4. Sexual Assault Services Coordinator
    5. The victim's friends, roommate(s) or family.
  3. The victim will be asked whether he or she wants to be taken to the hospital and whether he or she wants to contact the MPD.
    1. If the victim agrees to be taken to the hospital, hospital personnel will follow the protocol for sexual assault victims. With the victim's consent, a complete post-sexual assault medical examination will be performed, including the collection of medical evidence.
    2. If the victim refuses to be taken to the hospital and/or declines counseling, the following steps will be taken:
      • The DPS officer will transport the victim home or to a safe location.
      • The victim will again be reminded of the importance of preserving evidence until appropriate examinations are conducted.
      • The victim will be informed that he or she will be contacted later to determine if any further assistance is necessary.
      • The victim will be given the number of the Georgetown University Hospital Emergency Room (202-784-2118), Counseling and Psychiatric Services (202-687-6985), the Sexual Assault Services Coordinator (202-687-0323), and the D.C. Rape Crisis Center (202-333-7273).
    3. If the victim wishes to contact MPD, DPS will assist him/her in doing so.

If the victim is interested in changing academic or living situations after an alleged sexual assault incident, the victim should contact the Director of Residence Life, or other appropriate administrator, and a change will be made if reasonably available. In addition to the option of filing a complaint with MPD, any victim of sexual assault, attempted sexual assault or other forms of sexual assault by a student may file a complaint with the Director of Student Conduct (5th Floor Leavey, 202-687-4553). In the student disciplinary system, the victim and the accused are entitled to the same opportunity to have others present during a hearing. Final decisions concerning the finding of responsibility and the imposition of a sanction are by majority vote of the Hearing Board. Pursuant to the University's Disclosure of Adjudication Outcomes Policy, the Office of Student Conduct discloses the finding and the sanction to the victim and the accused. As a Category "C" offense, a finding of responsibility for sexual assault could, but may not necessarily, result in dismissal from the University.

At the School of Medicine, allegations of abuse, harassment, or discrimination are addressed according to the policies and procedures established in the Student Code of Professionalism, which governs student behavior and in the Standards for the Teacher-Learner Relationship, which govern faculty behavior. The Code states that allegations of abuse, discrimination, and harassment may be submitted to the Associate Dean for Students, who then determines the merit of the allegations and whether further investigation is required by an ad hoc subcommittee appointed by the chair of the Committee on Students. If formed, such a subcommittee may either dismiss the complaint or refer it to the full Committee on Students, which may either dismiss the complaint or find that the allegation has been substantiated. In the latter case, the Committee has several options: 1) issue an oral reprimand to the accused; 2) issue a written reprimand; 3) suspend the accused for a specified period of time; or, 4) expel the accused. The accused may appeal an expulsion to the Committee on Student Appeals, which may affirm the expulsion; reverse or modify the Committee on Students' action; or remand the case to the Committee on Students.

Cases involving allegations against medical school faculty or staff are handled in accordance with the Standards and related Policies and Procedures for Addressing Allegations of Student Mistreatment, which describe and prohibit three types of mistreatment: abuse, harassment, and discrimination. Medical students who believe they have been subject to mistreatment have two avenues of recourse. They may bring their allegations to the Ombuds Office, which offers a confidential forum for exploring options for redress, as well as the opportunity for mediation among the involved parties. Or, students may bring a formal written complaint of mistreatment to the Associate Dean for Students and the Dean for Medical Education. Together, the Associate Dean, the Dean, and the appropriate administrative authority (e.g., department chair) will determine the merit of the allegation, along with any actions to be taken with respect to the accused. Such actions must conform to applicable policies of Georgetown University, Georgetown University Hospital, and the affiliated institutions of Georgetown University School of Medicine -- e.g., the Georgetown University policy on sexual harassment. If a complaint is found to lack merit, the student may request review of the complaint by an ad hoc group of students and faculty. Retaliation against students who bring complaints of mistreatment is absolutely forbidden by these policies and procedures, which are mandated by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education, the accrediting authority for all American and Canadian medical schools.

Students (and others) who believe that they have been sexually harassed and wish either additional information or assistance in filing a complaint also can contact the Affirmative Action Office (M-36 Darnall Hall, 202-687-4798).