Investigation of Violent Felony Offenses/Missing Students

Chapter 22 of the Laws of 1999 of the State of New York establishes certain requirements for investigation of violent felonies and reporting of missing students on college/university campuses in New York State.

  1. "Missing Student" means any student of the university subject to the provisions of Section 355(17) of the New York State Education Law, who resides in a facility owned or operated by the university and who is reported to the university as missing from his or her residence.
  2. "Violent Felony Offense" means a violent felony offense as defined in Section 70.02(1) of the Penal Law of the State of New York.

Response and Investigation

  1. Missing Student: When a report of a missing student is received by the university or the municipal police department, the receiving department will conduct a preliminary investigation in order to verify the complaint and to determine the circumstances which exist relating to the reported missing student. If the student's absence is verified, the incident will be reported and shared between departments. Both departments will continue the investigation to locate the missing student. If, after further investigation, the missing student is not located, both departments will determine the most efficient manner of continuing the investigation. In any event, information relating to any report of a missing student shall be shared by both parties no later than twelve (12) hours from the time of the initial report. If the missing student is located or returns to the university at any time after the matter has been reported, each party shall notify the other immediately.
  2. Violent Felony Offenses: When any report of an on-campus violent felony offense is received by the university or when a report of a violent offense involving a university student is received by the municipal police department, the recipient shall notify the other police department as soon as possible. The police departments will carry out appropriate investigative procedures, will determine the most efficient manner of continuing the investigation and shall provide mutual assistance when requested.