Police Authority
University of North Georgia Public Safety is a fully certified, state police agency. All officers employed by the university are equivalent to the police or sheriff deputies employed in any city. University police officers are authorized to make arrests for violations of state law and city ordinances, obtain and execute search warrants, and enforce traffic laws.
Jurisdiction
The jurisdiction of UNG Public Safety as defined by Georgia law is public or private property under control of the Board of Regents plus 500 yards. The officers can still operate beyond the 500 yard limit under the following conditions:
- The officers can leave their jurisdiction if they are in pursuit of an individual.
- The University has entered into mutual aid agreements with surrounding counties and municipalities. Under these agreements, University police officers can operate off campus when requested by other agencies to assist them.
- University police operate under the authority of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia. As employees of the Board of Regents, the officers are authorized by law to serve on any campus under the Regents control and retain their full authority.
The UNG Public Safety Department has a strong working relationship with neighboring jurisdictions. On a regular basis, the departments share information and equipment, assist with investigations, and provide back-up when needed.
Uniform Patrol
Communications
Investigations
Striving for Excellence
Reporting Policy for Counselors
According to the clarification given in the 1998 amendments to 20 U.S.C. Section 1092 (f), Campus "Pastoral Counselors" and Campus "Professional Counselors", when acting as such, are not considered to be a campus security authority and are not required to report crimes for inclusion into the annual disclosure of crime statistics. As a matter of policy, they are encouraged, if and when they deem it appropriate, to inform persons being counseled of the procedures to report crimes on a voluntary basis for inclusion into the annual crime statistics.
The rulemaking committee defines counselors as:
- Pastoral Counselor
- An employee of an institution who is associated with a religious order or denomination, recognized by that religious order or denomination as someone who provides confidential counseling and who is functioning within the scope of that recognition as a pastoral counselor.
- Professional Counselor
- An employee of an institution whose official responsibilities include providing psychological counseling to members of the institution's community and who is functioning within the scope of his or her license or certification.