Our Campus Safety Model

• Provide additional training and body cameras to officers
• Install security cameras around campus
• Assess and fix all door locks
• Implement a security/special police model that will include sworn armed Campus Police Officers (CPOs)

Safety in public spaces, especially in educational settings, is a national concern. Mass shootings aren't the only kinds of gun violence on college campuses. Everytown for Gun Safety documented 308 instances of gunfire on college campuses, occurring in 42 states and Washington, D.C., from 2013-2022. These incidents include individual attacks, unintentional gunfire, legal interventions, self-harm, and other instances. Considering recent tragedies on campuses and in communities across America, especially the increased frequency of these events in recent years.  The College conducted an overall assessment of our campus safety protocols. Analyzing these assessments, we came to recognize two things: we need to enhance campus security, and this will require, among other things, a new security model. Waiting until a threat occurs is too late to act. We must be vigilant and proactive in protecting our campus community; students, faculty, staff and visitors.

Every PSO completes a minimum of a 6-week field training course with an experienced PSO. They are also trained in First Aid, CPR, AED, proper use of force, use of OC spray, handcuffing, and use of an expandable baton. After Field training they also take classes such as , Mental Health First Aid, Fingerprinting, along with other various training courses throughout the year.

Public safety officers provide a whole range of information, service, and protection efforts including emergency preparation, parking management, lockouts, physical security, and Jeanne Clery Campus Security Act compliance. Other services provided include event security, shuttle/escort, welfare checks, safety presentation, building access, jump starting cars, emergency phones, self-defense classes, fingerprinting, lost & found, investigating maintenance complaints, police record request, victim services referral, campus vehicle driver certification, property registration, and light surveys. PSOs conduct bi-monthly checks of all external lights on campus and complete a form which is forwarded to the Physical Plant office detailing lights that are inoperative or in need of repairs. The form is called a light survey.

Campus Police Officers are sworn officers with academy certification. They fulfill all security roles, respond to all emergency and non-emergency calls for service, conduct criminal, campus, and administrative investigations and provide training/education for the campus community.

Both PSOs and CPOs will work for the Office of Public Safety.

The primary focus of both PSOs and CPOs will remain community policing.

In past assessments of the Office of Public Safety, it was recommended that PSOs use body cameras, a widely recognized best practice.

Both PSOs and CPOs are equipped with Body Cameras while on duty.

The use of body cameras and other recording devices is covered in the official policy directive (PDF).

We are thorough in our vetting and hiring process and training of CPOs. All CPOs must understand and commit to honoring our campus values, and value a campus community where all students, staff, and faculty can thrive, be free from discrimination and feel safe. We must do our part to hold everyone accountable to this ideal that we hold paramount.

The Director of Public Safety will bear the responsibility of developing language specific to the engagement of Campus police officers with the campus community, in consultation with both experts and the upper administration. The Public Safety Advisory Board can propose recommendations that may inform policies to enhance campus safety and quality of life on campus.

updated 08/06/25

The Director of Public Safety created a Student Advisory Board to Public Safety. The board meets regularly to share needs and expectations, as well as discuss emerging trends that inform policies and procedures.

Yes. Students can schedule individual meetings or join the Advisory Board

We have a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in place that guides the response of the Sheriff’s Office to the campus. It details the level of support they provide to us as well as the resources our Office of Public Safety provides to them when they arrive on campus. This includes training, investigative resources, emergency response, and other topics.

In the case of an emergency, the Sheriff’s Office will assume incident command. Currently, the Sheriff’s Office cannot provide us with a designated officer. Response time for them to arrive on campus is dependent on where an available officer is located in the county. In past campus emergencies, response time has varied from 11 minutes to 45 minutes.

In the event that a psychological crisis occurs after hours, students or staff should call Public Safety at 240-895-4911. They will provide assessment and coordinate transportation to St. Mary’s Hospital if needed. If the psychological crisis is during the day, students should utilize the Counseling Center Monday through Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm. Students may also access walk-in appointments from 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Monday through Friday. The Wellness Center has also contracted with ProtoCall, a toll-free crisis hotline available 24/7 by licensed professionals. To access ProtoCall Services, dial 240-895-4200 or 855-826-1869 and you will be provided with immediate support, crisis intervention and/or stabilization.