University of Wisconsin – Parkside Police Department

A message from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside Chief James Heller:

The University of Wisconsin-Parkside Police Department is proud to be the first police department in the state of Wisconsin to implement the You Have Options Program. The University Administration and police department are committed to maintaining a safe campus environment to live, learn, and work. By participating in the You Have Options Program, the UW-Parkside Police Department is demonstrating our commitment to sexual assault victims and to listen to the concerns of these survivors. Our goal will always be to represent the best interests of the sexual assault survivor and our priority will be for the victim’s physical safety and well-being.

Sexual assault is never the fault of the victim. Each victim will process the assault in their own way. UW-Parkside has specially trained police officers who have received advance training on trauma informed interviewing and investigative strategies to identify serial sexual perpetrators. We will work with each victim to address their unique concerns and help them to understand their reporting options. These include an information only report, a partial investigation, and a complete investigation. Victims will not be required to make any decisions regarding their participation in a criminal investigation when they initially report. Victims will be given the time they need to make the decisions right for them.

Please take a moment to read about the 20 Elements of a Victim-Centered and Offender-Focused You Have Options Program Law Enforcement Response. Outlined in these elements are options for reporting to the UW-Parkside Police Department. If you have questions, please contact our department. We will be happy to answer any questions you may have. You may also remain anonymous and still have your questions answered and receive assistance obtaining advocacy services or medical care even if you never intend to file a police report.

Respectfully,

James Heller

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When can the University of Wisconsin Parkside Police Department not keep information a sexual assault victim provides confidential or private?

University of Wisconsin Parkside Police will adhere to the 20 elements of a Victim-Centered and Offender-Focused You Have Options Law Enforcement Response after complying with all relevant State and Federal law. This includes the Wisconsin State Statutes, the University of Wisconsin System Administrative Code, the Jeanne Clery Act and Title IX, as well as records requests pursuant to a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena. University of Wisconsin Parkside Police are required to provide all reports of sexual assault to the university’s Title IX Coordinator and the Office of the Dean of Students. Due to its Title IX responsibilities, the university may not be able to adhere to your reporting decision in its Title IX response, which may include an administrative investigation.

All University of Wisconsin Parkside employees are defined by the University of Wisconsin System Sexual Assault Reporting statute as “mandated reporters”. As a mandated reporter, “Any person employed at an institution who witnesses a sexual assault on campus or receives a report from a student enrolled in the institution that the student has been sexually assaulted shall report to the dean of students of the institution. The dean of students shall compile reports for the purpose of disseminating statistical information.” Members of the University of Wisconsin Parkside Police Department are designated as “mandated reporters.” Therefore, for example, if you provide your name and the offender’s name to the University of Wisconsin Parkside Police Department, the University of Wisconsin Parkside Police Department, as a responsible party, must relay the information to the Title IX Coordinator.

The Title IX Office is obligated, by federal law, to document the report and will begin an investigation into the complaint under certain circumstances. These circumstances include when there is a community health or safety threat, the reported offender incident is associated with University of Wisconsin Parkside-sponsored programs, activities, employment, facilities or systems.

You have the right to participate in the Title IX investigation; however, there is no obligation to do so. You should expect to receive an email to your University of Wisconsin Parkside student account containing a letter from the Dean of Students, Steve Wallner, and/or the Title IX Coordinator, Trina Patterson (if your identity is known and you are a student). Should you provide the University of Wisconsin Parkside Police Department with the perpetrator’s name, that information, along with any other relevant details you provide, will be relayed to the Title IX Office in accordance with federal law. While the University of Wisconsin Parkside Police Department will adhere to the 20 Elements of the You Have Options Program, the Title IX Office may begin a university investigation and the reported perpetrator could be contacted by the university and interviewed regarding your report, even if your identity is unknown.

The Jeanne Clery Act requires all institutions of higher education that participate in the federal student financial aid program to disclose information about crimes that occur on campus. University of Wisconsin Parkside, in accordance with this law, issues alerts (via email) when certain crimes occur that pose a serious or ongoing threat to the university community. Sexual assault is one of these crimes and therefore the university may issue a crime alert. The crime alert does not include identifying information, but will include the approximate location and time of the assault. The University of Wisconsin Parkside Police Department can show you the alert prior to it being sent to the community.

For the university’s policy and information about the Title IX process and resources, please click here: https://www.uwp.edu/live/offices/studentaffairs/sexual-misconduct/

You also may contact the Title IX Coordinator, Trina Patterson, by email at patterst@uwp.edu , or by phone at (262)595-2239. The Dean of Students, Steve Wallner, can be reached via email at wallner@uwp.edu , or by phone at (262) 595-2239.

If you would like to explore these processes confidentially with an advocate before making a You Have Options report to the University of Wisconsin Parkside Police Department, and you are a student, you may contact the Student Health and Counseling Center via email or by phone at (262) 595-2366 and Women’s and Children’s Horizons Community advocacy at (262) 652-9900 at the 24 hour crisis line.

To learn more about the services provided to students please visit:  https://www.uwp.edu/live/services/studenthealth/