Diversity and Community
Public Safety recognizes that although we have made improvements in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and have strengthened our expectations related to racial and unconscious bias, our work is not done! As a campus community and an office, we have much still to do.
The Office of Public Safety supports the fair and equal treatment of all people, denounces racism in all its forms, and has, through our Statement of Commitment and Policies we have dedicated ourselves to the following beliefs:
o The Office of Public Safety unequivocally condemns any acts of violence or harassment that are perpetrated as a reaction to a person’s race, color, national origin, age, disability, religion, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity, or socio-economic status.
o We support the fair and equitable treatment of all people in a just society and strongly denounces racism in all its forms, systemic or otherwise.
o We believe that when one member of our community is devalued, all are devalued.
o We recognize we must play a role in fostering a healthy and safe environment for all on our campus.
o Public Safety stands in solidarity with the Middletown community, communities of color, and all negatively impacted by racism resulting from inherent biases.
o We know that words have power, can cause real and tangible harm to individuals, and damage our relationships with those we serve.
Public Safety Commitment Statement
The Office of Public Safety is committed to ensuring a safe campus environment conducive to teaching, learning, and personal growth. With recent events (local and national) in mind, Public Safety has been actively re-examining ways in which to best fulfill that commitment:
We embrace a community policing approach to our work, where all campus members are actively involved in helping to promote a safe campus and community.
We will not allow personal feelings, animosities, or friendships to interfere with our responsibilities.
We are committed to diversity in our staff so that our work benefits from multiple perspectives.
We acknowledge that team members bring their own strengths and biases to the workplace and are determined to understand and address these through ongoing training, so we can work more effectively in this diverse community.
We reject racial profiling. We respond to disturbing behavior, not personal identities.
We seek an ongoing open dialogue with students, faculty, and staff to achieve flexible community-based solutions to current and future safety challenges.
We strive to be active listeners, knowing that input from the entire campus community is important. We will act on what is shared and seek out the voices of those not at the table.
We strive to maintain good communication and an effective relationship with Middletown police, inviting them to participate in social justice and other training opportunities we implement for our own team.
We will continue to be active in campus and community events.
We encourage community members to report any activity by Public Safety staff that is of concern and promise a complete and fair investigation.
We acknowledge that to do our job well, we must have public trust and must dedicate ourselves to our mission every day.
*This page is a living document created and edited by the Public Safety Staff and Wesleyan students.