The process may be as simple as making a few phone calls, or it may require extensive fact-finding, interviews, analysis of latent evidence and a cooperative effort among several agencies and departments. Regardless, each complaint deserves the full resources available to achieve a proper resolution.

Investigation begins when the initial complaint or request for service is received. Generally, a patrol officer will try to gather as much information as may be available at the time the matter is brought to his or her attention. This normally includes the name of the complainant, the location of the complaint or incident, the nature of the incident or service requested, a time frame pertinent to the incident, and any other information which is relevant to providing service or resolution. Because of the time constraints placed on patrol officers by their myriad duties, unless a resolution can be achieved relatively quickly, officers prepare a written report for later review and action by the department investigator. If the matter is indeed resolved at the time of the complaint or request for service, it will still be documented for the department's records and review.

Nonetheless, Dartmouth Safety & Security is not itself a law enforcement agency, nor does the department work for or on behalf of any law enforcement agency. Our primary mission within this private institution is to serve the Dartmouth community and to insure its safety and welfare to the best of our ability. Cooperation becomes a necessary part of fulfilling that mission.

The Department Investigator reviews all reports prepared by patrol officers. Those requiring followup work are prioritized and the appropriate investigation is begun. Some reports require the involvement of the Hanover Police or another law enforcement agency. The college has a recognized policy of upholding statutory law in coordination with its own policies and procedures. Thus it is both necessary and appropriate to cooperate with outside law enforcement in many matters to insure that the needs of our community are being met fairly.

An example involves behavior by a person not affiliated with the college which impacts negatively on the life of our own community. While Dartmouth has its own internal judiciary for its students, and appropriate mechanisms for handling most staff and faculty matters, the college has no legal power over nonaffiliated persons. Thus, we have developed a strong cooperative relationship with the Hanover Police Department and through Hanover, county, state and federal agencies. Another example involves the theft of property. Since thieves often work an area, as opposed to a specific location, networking with law enforcement allows us to develop patterns of behaviors and targeted materials, e.g. computers, electronic equipment, sports gear. Further, regular law enforcement has access to the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) into whose computers stolen items with serial numbers may be entered. This database is accessible to law enforcement agencies nationwide. If an item is recovered and suspected stolen, the NCIC computer will "hit" and advise the inquiring agency when and from where the item was taken.

Regular law enforcement also affords us with forensic laboratory facilities and some specialized items of equipment which are too specialized or expensive to be supported by a small college.

The majority of cases involving personal conduct are referred to the Deans Office for review and adjudication if warranted. One of the primary responsibilities of the Investigator is to prepare these cases for the deans. This often entails interviewing those involved in the matter, soliciting written statements from these people and from witnesses as appropriate, following up on leads and information gained from the interviews and statements, then distilling the results into a report which accurately summarizes the incident. Once the report is forwarded to the Deans Office, neither the Investigator nor Safety & Security plays any role in the review or adjudication of the incident, although the Investigator may perform more follow-up at the dean's request.

The range of complaints we receive and investigate are almost as diverse and complex as anything Hollywood or the media have managed to dream up. The difference is that these cases are rarely if ever as glamorous or newsworthy as their commercial counterparts are depicted to be. The amount of work and attention to detail required, however, are not diminished by any lack of publicity.