On campus, sworn and armed police officers of the University’s Police Department enforce laws, University rules, and the Code of Student Conduct and provide protective services. Certified by the North Carolina Attorney General’s Office, these officers can make arrests on property owned, leased, or under the control of the University. Additionally, these officers can enforce laws on roads adjacent to University property. Through a Mutual Aid Agreement with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, officers may be called upon to assist deputy sheriffs with enforcement activities at off-campus locations.
Incidents of student behavior that violate the Code of Student Conduct but do not rise to the level of criminal conduct that are referred to or detected by police officers will usually result in the issuance of a Student Community Ethics citation to the student(s). Upon receipt of a citation, a student a representative from the Department of Student Community Ethics (DSCE) to review the incident and the student’s behavior. Failure to meet with the DSCE representative may result in further disciplinary action up to and including expulsion from the University.
All crimes reported to the Police Department are investigated. Where suspect(s) can be identified, police officers gather evidence to establish probable cause to prosecute the offender(s) in state or federal courts. For individuals who commit traffic offenses, officers typically issue a state traffic citation that usually requires an appearance in state court. If, in the opinion of the officer, the offense committed is minor, the officer may, at his or her discretion, issue a campus traffic citation or a verbal warning.
For students who commit misdemeanor offenses, police officers may, at their discretion, defer arrest in favor of referring students to the DSCE office. In all cases of arrests of students by the Police Department, referral to the DSCE office will be made. Additionally, for certain offenses committed off-campus, students may be referred to the DSCE office.
All felonies are investigated and referred to the local District Attorney’s office when probable cause exists for an arrest. The District Attorney, or one of his or her assistants, decides whether criminal charges will be filed with the court and prosecution will follow. The prosecutorial function through the criminal justice system is distinctly separate from the administrative disciplinary process on campus. The decision of whether to pursue action through one system does not bar the ability to pursue action through the other.
Other agencies with enforcement jurisdiction on campus include the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, the North Carolina Highway Patrol, the State Bureau of Investigation, and the North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement Agency. On-campus enforcement actions by these agencies are coordinated through the Police Department.
For faculty and staff members and students who live off-campus in the unincorporated areas of the county, including off-campus student organizations, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department is the primary provider of law enforcement services. For faculty and staff members and students who live off-campus in incorporated areas, there is usually a municipal police department that provides law enforcement services for each respective incorporated area. Residents living in incorporated areas need to contact their local municipal government or the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department to determine who provides law enforcement services to their area.