LECOM Security Department

The LECOM Campus Police and Security Department is located inside the north entrance to the complex. The office is responsible for the provision of law enforcement and security on campus. The office is staffed twenty four hours a day, seven days a week.

Mission

The mission of the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine Security Department is to provide a safe and secure environment for the students, faculty, and staff of the College in their preparation of primary care physicians and pharmacists. The Department will insure that the community and facilities of the college remain secure through professional, proactive, and quality prevention, suppression and investigation of criminal activity and unsafe physical, operational and environmental conditions on the campus and properties under the control of the college.

Security Force Composition

A Director of Police and Security who reports directly to the President, and Provost, and Vice President and Dean of Academic Affairs heads the LECOM Department of Police and Security. In addition, the force consists of one campus police officer, one LECOM campus security officer and contract private security guards. The Security Department is staffed twenty-four hours a day seven days per week.


Authority

The LECOM Department of Police and Security personnel has in it's possession two levels of authority to perform their functions.

Private Police Officers

LECOM campus police officers possesses full police powers under the provisions of Title 22 Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes § 501. This statute authorizes non-profit corporations such as LECOM to request the Court of Common Pleas to appoint Private Police Officers for the institution. Those officers appointed by the Court have the power to arrest in the same manner and with the same authority and may exercise all other powers in the same manner and authority as any police officers in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Security Officers

LECOM Security Officers are not police officers. They perform the duties of Security Officers. They are empowered by the College to enforce polices established by the institution. In addition, they staff the Security Office, monitor the CCTV surveillance system, patrol the campus and assist police officers in the performance of their duties.

Training

The Pennsylvania Municipal Police Officers Education and Training Commission has initially certified all LECOM police officers. In addition, the police officers selected by LECOM are retired from local law enforcement agencies with many years of experience. They receive annual re-certification updates and attend necessary in-service training and seminars to maintain current state of the art knowledge and experience.

The Security Officers are selected for their ability to perform their duties in the most proficient and professional manner possible. These officers, once hired, receive instruction in the performance of their duties to include the exercise of authority, liability issues, patrol techniques, report writing, investigations, college policy and procedure, and fire and evacuation emergencies.

LECOM Police and Security Weapons Policy

LECOM police officers may carry firearms and less lethal weapons while on duty for the protection of the LECOM community. All LECOM police officers have been certified in the use of such weapons in accordance with the provisions of Title 22, Pennsylvania Statutes § 41et seq. (Lethal Weapons Training Act).

LECOM security officers do not carry firearms or less lethal weapons in the course of their duties.


Relationship with Local/State/Federal Law Enforcement Agencies (LEA Liaison)

The LECOM Department of Police and Security has a close working relationship with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. The Erie Bureau of Police maintains primary jurisdiction on the LECOM campus for all serious criminal investigations. LECOM police conduct investigations on those criminal incidents not investigated by the Erie Police.


Campus and Campus Population

LECOM is located in Erie, Pennsylvania on a 20 acre campus overlooking Lake Erie. The main campus complex encompasses an area of approximately 155,000 square feet. The College, in addition, provides ample surface parking for students, faculty and staff.

The population of the LECOM community for the most recent school year includes 851 medical students, 60 Post Baccalaureate students, and 284 pharmacy students. In addition, LECOM employs 118 full time and 30 part time personnel.

The fourth largest city in Pennsylvania, Erie has consistently been a livable city with a fairly low crime rate for its size. Although benefiting from a relatively safe environment, total personal safety can never be assumed. LECOM has, therefore, implemented a comprehensive security program.