UNL police department keeps campus safe with background checks

The recent murder of 24-year-old Yale University student Annie Le sent shock waves across college campuses. 

"In general, college campuses are very safe and sometimes the safest places in a community, but no campus is immune from crime," said Fred Gardy, director of planning and development for the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Police Department. 

According to Yale Daily News, Le was last seen entering a Yale lab building on Sept. 8.

Her body was found five days later behind a wall in the building's basement. 

After reviewing evidence, authorities arrested and charged Raymond Clark III, a Yale animal lab technician, with Le's murder. Clark is being held with his first hearing set for Oct. 3. 

The crime sparked discussions regarding safety and prevention – no university wants a similar crime committed on its campus. 

UNL has established many practices to create a safe environment on campus, including employee background checks on prospective employees. 

"The criminal history background check shows us all criminal convictions, and that is what we want to review before we hire someone," said Bruce Currin, assistant vice chancellor for Human Resources at UNL. 

Applicants provide information to the university, and UNL sends it to an outside vendor that verifies prospective employees' identities and criminal records. Last year, they conducted 1,033 criminal history checks on prospective employees, Currin said. 

Not all applicants are screened; however, according to UNL's Criminal History Policy, finalists for security sensitive non-academic positions such as positions requiring handling cash or working in residence halls will be screened.

University departments also have the option of requiring background checks on all new hires.

"UNL is constantly reviewing hiring and other protocols to ensure a safe environment," Currin said. "When tragedies like Yale occur, it focuses attention on what we are doing and reinforces why we conduct them."

Another safety protocol includes the threat assessment process. The UNL police encourages students, faculty, staff and members of the community to report suspicious or scary behavior.

"One of the things we're learning, as a lot of crimes like the one at Yale are investigated, is that the person didn't just snap," said Charlotte Evans, director of Support Services for UNL police. "There were some signs." 

Sometimes people don't feel comfortable calling the police because they don't want to get someone in trouble, Evans said. However, bringing the behavior to the attention of authorities doesn't mean someone's going to get arrested.

"It could just be situational," Evans said. "Our intention is never to become overbearing in somebody's life, but there are times that even if someone has not violated a law, there might be reason to just contact them and see if they need help."

The UNLPD also has officers on duty 24 hours a day, and community service officers patrol residence halls at night.

"I think some people don't realize that we are a full-service police station," Gardy said.

"Plus, we offer some services specific to a college campus, like allowing text message reports, UNL Alert and the threat assessment program."

One tip Gardy offered to students is to be aware of their surroundings on campus and be willing to report alarming activity. Also, he suggested that students establish a buddy system and tell their buddies where they're headed, when they'll get there and the route they are taking. 

"Safety is the responsibility of not just the police, but also of staff, faculty and students," he said. 

"We're all in this together. The police are the lead, but we all play an important role in reducing the opportunity for crime."

courtneypitts@dailynebraskan.com