Responding to Law Enforcement Officers

Wheaton College is a voluntary community with its own expectations for membership. The Community Covenant, the Statement of Faith, and the Christ-Centered Diversity Commitment articulate these expectations while also forming the foundation of specific policies.

Wheaton College members are also expected to follow local, state and federal ordinances and laws. Enforcement, however, is the role of federal, state, and local agencies, such as officers from the local or state police, the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The guidance and resources below are for students.

What should students do if they see a law enforcement officer on campus?

All students are encouraged to enter Public Safety’s phone number (630.752.5911) in their cell phone contact list proactively. If students see officers on campus, they may call Public Safety to report what they have seen. Public Safety will then contact the College’s Legal Counsel and, together with senior leadership, they will determine what actions are appropriate. While students are not required to speak with any law enforcement officers, they should not interfere with or attempt to obstruct the activities of law enforcement.

What campus spaces can law enforcement officers freely enter?

Campus housing locations and other nonpublic campus spaces such as employee offices, in session classes, and chapel worship may not be entered by any law enforcement officers without permission or a warrant signed by a judge. An administrative warrant signed by a representative in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security does not give a law enforcement officer permission to enter a nonpublic space. Campus members are not required to give permission to enter nonpublic campus spaces to law enforcement officers without a judicial warrant.

What are students’ rights if they are stopped by a law enforcement officer?

The College does not require students to speak to law enforcement officers. However, officers may ask a student to speak with them, and the College cannot prevent such contact in public spaces. If a student is approached directly by a law enforcement officer, the student may decide whether to speak with the officer.

Citizens and noncitizens have the right to remain silent as well as the right to speak with an attorney if asked to speak to a law enforcement officer. If students have specific questions about their legal rights, the College encourages students to contact community resources such as Illinois Legal Aid. The College also encourages students to consult with their family about seeking legal advice before speaking with a law enforcement officer.

For additional information related to a student’s legal rights regarding criminal and immigration matters, students may consult the Illinois Legal Aid resources listed below:

• Basics of subpoenas;

• Rights during a criminal investigation;

• Rights related to arrest/custody; and

• Basics of ICE (immigration) raids and arrests.

What is Public Safety’s role if law enforcement officers are on campus?

Public Safety employees work for Wheaton College and are committed to the Statement of Faith and the Community Covenant as well as campus policies. As campus security, Public Safety’s role is to keep the campus and its members safe 24/7, which includes contacting the College’s Legal Counsel to engage with law enforcement officers if they come to campus.

What can students do to protect their student records?

Students may request that their public directory information be marked confidential by submitting a request to the Registrar and can do so online via the FERPA Non-Disclosure of Directory Information Form. If a student wishes to make his/her public directory information confidential and fills out the proper form, the Registrar will update that student’s records with the confidentiality indicator. Please note: except for international students who are part of the Student Exchange and Visitor Program, the College does not record students’ immigration status in private non-directory educational records.