Welcome to the Mount Wachusett Community College Police Department website. The MWCC Campus Police Department consists of nine very dedicated, professional law enforcement officers who are committed to providing a safe educational environment for students, staff, faculty and visitors. The Campus Police Department is dedicated to the Community Policing Philosophy; providing pro-active service through inter-departmental and inter-agency collaboration to meet the ever-changing needs of the college community. We welcome input from the college community regarding security issues, needs, and concerns and pledge to work as partners with the college community to provide quality service.
MWCC Police Officers are available for security escorts and for legal and personal advice, within the scope of their expertise. We work closely with the MWCC counselors and nursing department to assure that the legal, physical, and emotional needs of the community are met.
– Chief Melissa Croteau (978-630-9211) or m_croteau@mwcc.mass.edu
Mission Statement
The mission of the Mount Wachusett Community College Public Safety and Security Department is to maintain order, protect life and property and to preserve peace within the scope of the United States Constitution. Our pledge is to respond to the changing needs of the MWCC community in a professional, effective, and timely manner through resource collaboration in order to promote and enhance the quality of life within our college community.
Values Central to Our Mission
- Strive to improve quality of Service
- Encourage Training and Professional Development
- Maintain high integrity and professionalism
- Foster a team environment through employee involvement and input
- Provide stability, continuity, and consistency in Department Operations
- Provide a pro-active approach to Crime Prevention
- Provide a fair, courteous, and caring response to diverse issues through teamwork and inter-agency collaboration
- Maintain an enthusiastic attitude toward the needs of the community
- Provide a trustworthy, honest, and ethical approach to our services
Vision Statement
The Public Safety and Security Division will provide leadership to the College by maintaining a pro-active approach to crime prevention and problem-solving through professional, effective and fair practice and by providing guidance through education to meet the changing security needs of the college community.
Objectives
- Improve training and education of the officers to meet the changing needs of law enforcement
- Create and update policies and procedures to improve department response to the community needs
- Improve the physical and environmental security on all campuses and to increase student and staff confidence in the safety of the MWCC properties
- Improve the physical and professional working environment for the Campus Police Department
- Improve the use of both fiscal and human resources within the Department
- Improve evidence and property storage and tracking of departmental resources
- Foster individual confidence, strength, and character in the community through community training opportunities
- Improve the Departments ability to provide proper documentation of property and events
About
MWCC campus police force includes a Chief, a Lieutenant, a Sergeant, and seven police officers. Officers patrol the Gardner campus by foot, and cruiser 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Officers respond to emergency and non-emergency calls for service. For information on the Leominster Campus and the Devens Campus coverage see the Parking and Safety Information Brochure.
The director of safety and security and campus police officers are sworn Special State Police Officers in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 22C, Section 63 of the Massachusetts General Laws and have full law enforcement authority, including powers of arrest in and upon all property owned or leased by the college. The campus police possess full police powers and are charged with the responsibility of enforcing all college rules and regulations as well as the local, state and federal laws, statutes, and ordinances. The department maintains a close relationship with local and state police agencies.
MWCC Police Officers Attend Extensive Training
Campus police officers attend a minimum of 120 hours of Reserve Intermittent Training. Specialized training is also received in a 16-week Massachusetts Special State Police Academy located in New Braintree, MA. In addition, every police officer is required to complete in-service training (approximately 24 hours) on an annual basis. Also, officers are trained in specialized areas through the Massachusetts State Police and the Municipal Police Training Committee such as, but not limited to:
- Domestic violence
- Sexual assault
- RAD (Rape Aggression Defense)
- Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency Planning
- Crime prevention
- LEAPS/NCIC Computer
- Crisis intervention
- Fatal Vision
- The Kid Care Program
Officers are also trained in emergency medical procedures and are First Aid / First Responder and CPR/AED “Automatic External Defibrillation” certified.