Chapter 18: Campus Health and Safety

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18.D Police/Fire/Ambulance/University Committees

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18.D.1 University Division of Public Safety & Security (DPSS) & The University of Michigan Police Department (UMPD)

The University of Michigan Police Department (UMPD) , a unit in the Division of Public Safety & Security (DPSS), has full law enforcement power. It was established to contribute to a safe and secure environment for the University community and to protect personal and University property. (SPG 510.01) As a general rule, UMPD has primary jurisdiction over incidents that occur on University property, and the Ann Arbor Police Department has jurisdiction over incidents that occur on city property. However, UMPD and the Ann Arbor Police Department cooperate extensively and work together to assure the safety of the University community. UMPD employs both police officers and public safety officers. Police officers have the power to investigate, search, and arrest as prescribed by law and to use reasonable/necessary force to enforce law and to protect persons and property. Public safety officers investigate every type of crime or incident that is reported to have occurred on University property, but do not have the power to arrest as prescribed by law.

The UMPD Communication Center monitors intrusion, robbery, fire, elevator, temperature, and maintenance alarms for University buildings. All 911 calls made from campus phones are routed to the Communication Center for appropriate response. The Communication Center is operated 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The U-M Flint and U-M Dearborn campuses have their own departments of public safety. For information see websites for the U-M Flint Department of Public Safety; and the U-M Dearborn Department of Public Safety. By providing a number of services related to campus health and safety, DPSS contributes significantly to a safe campus environment. Community policing, including bike patrols, satellite offices, and officers working collaboratively with University constituents, are important ways members of the University community work together to improve campus safety. DPSS serves an educational role by offering presentations on a variety of topics pertaining to campus safety and crime prevention. Other services include S.A.F.E.WALK (see section 21.V “Transportation”). DPSS has three security bureaus: Campus, Hospital, and Housing Security. Officers from these bureaus patrol all campus buildings and grounds 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on foot, in motor vehicles and on bicycles.

The University of Michigan Division of Public Safety & Security (DPSS) has full law enforcement power. It was established to contribute to a safe and secure environment for the University community and to protect personal and University property. (SPG 510.01 ) As a general rule, UMPD has primary jurisdiction over incidents that occur on University property, and the Ann Arbor Police Department has jurisdiction over incidents that occur on city property. However, UMPD and the Ann Arbor Police Department cooperate extensively and work together to assure the safety of the University community.

UMPD employs both police officers and public safety officers. Police officers have the power to investigate, search, and arrest as prescribed by law and to use reasonable/necessary force to enforce law and to protect persons and property. Public safety officers investigate every type of crime or incident that is reported to have occurred on University property, but do not have the power to arrest as prescribed by law.

The UMPD Communication Center monitors intrusion, robbery, fire, elevator, temperature, and maintenance alarms for University buildings. All 911 calls made from campus phones are routed to the Communication Center for appropriate response. The Communication Center is operated 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

By providing a number of services related to campus health and safety, DPSS contributes significantly to a safe campus environment. Community policing, including bike patrols, satellite offices, and officers working collaboratively with University constituents, are important ways members of the University community work together to improve campus safety. DPSS serves an educational role by offering presentations on a variety of topics pertaining to campus safety and crime prevention. Other services include S.A.F.E.WALK (see section 21.W  “Transportation”).

DPSS has three security bureaus: Campus, Hospital, and Housing Security. Officers from these bureaus patrol all campus buildings and grounds 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on foot, in motor vehicles and on bicycles.

18.D.2 Police Oversight Committee

The Department of Public Safety Oversight Committee is an independent committee made up of elected faculty, staff and student representatives. This committee, as provided by Public Act 120 of 1990, receives and addresses grievances by persons against the police officers or the public safety department of the institution. The committee may make recommendations concerning such grievances to the executive vice president and chief financial officer, including recommendations for disciplinary action.

18.D.3 Ann Arbor Police Department (AAPD)

Located at 100 North Fifth Avenue in downtown Ann Arbor, the Ann Arbor Police Department (AAPD) is a full-service law enforcement agency. It operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Ann Arbor Police Department will respond when someone dials 911 from a non-campus phone in Ann Arbor.

18.D.4 Ann Arbor Fire Department

The Ann Arbor Fire Department responds to fire and medical emergencies on campus. If the 911 call is made from a campus phone, the call is routed to the UMPD communication center where the nature of the emergency is determined and the call routed as required. 911 calls made from an off-campus phone go to the Ann Arbor Police Department for routing.

18.D.5 Huron Valley Ambulance

Dial 911 for emergency assistance. If a 911 call is made from a campus phone, the call is routed to the UMPD communication center where the nature of the emergency is determined and the call routed as required. 911 calls made from an off-campus phone go to the Ann Arbor Police Department for routing.