Hampshire College

Welcome to the Hampshire College Public Safety Web site. Here you will find a wealth of information that will help you become knowledgeable about Public Safety and its role on campus.

Hampshire College maintains a parklike beauty and peacefulness. Like any other campus, however, it is not immune to public safety issues.

We are therefore providing this Web site to inform you of the campus safety services and programs available to you and to urge you to act responsibly and help promote public safety on campus.

The Hampshire College Department of Public Safety provides protection and services to all members of the college community, including its visitors and guests, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The Department of Public Safety is located on the ground floor of the Harold F. Johnson Library Center and is staffed 24 hours a day.

As the main purpose of Public Safety is to protect life and property, officers patrol the campus round-the-clock on foot, on specially equipped mountain bikes, or in cruisers.

The department's 16 full-time officers are trained professionals. They have police powers on college property (as granted under Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 22C, Section 63). All officers must complete training as mandated by the Massachusetts State Police.

Moreover, each officer is certified yearly in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and first-aid techniques, and every three years in first-responder skills. Each also attends a training session on civil rights and diversity, and four officers have been certified by the state as sexual assault investigators.

The department maintains close working relationships with the college and the Amherst and Hadley Police Departments, the Massachusetts State Police, and the Northwestern District Attorney's office.

The Department of Public Safety is responsible for protecting people and property on the Hampshire College Campus. The department should be alerted to any situation that threatens a safe academic and social environment.

Paul Ominsky, Director of Public Safety