Responsibility

The Division is led by the Executive Director of the Division of Public Safety and Security. The Executive Director of DPSS reports directly to the President of the University.

1. Organization

   The Division of Public Safety and Security (DPSS) conducts all police, emergency management, safety, and security operations on the University of Michigan Ann Arbor, Dearborn, and Flint campuses.

   Created in October 2012 to unify security functions that previously were embedded within different areas of the University, DPSS offers a truly integrated approach to safety and security, partnering across the University and helping everyone in the U-M community to take charge of their safety.

2. Mission

   DPSS supports the mission of the University as a partner serving to ensure a safe and secure environment while improving the quality of life for all those living, learning, working, healing, and visiting within our community.

   Core Values:

   1. Service to Our Community - We demonstrate our commitment to serve by placing the needs of the community ahead of our own. All of our actions, initiatives, and services are created and maintained with service to our community at their core.
   2. Integrity - We hold all division personnel to the highest ethical standards at all times. Integrity is not negotiable.
   3. Accountability and Trust - We accept full responsibility for our actions and will take appropriate measures to meet community and professional expectations. We value the trust, respect, and support of our community, which must be earned and safeguarded at all times.
   4. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - We value and are dedicated to respecting differences, equitable practices, and intentional inclusion to create an environment where our community feels welcomed and safe.
   5. Excellence and Professionalism - We exceed the expectations of our community through a dedication to excellence in professional and organizational development.

3. Authority

   The Division is led by the Executive Director of the Division of Public Safety and Security. The Executive Director of DPSS reports directly to the President of the University.

4. Advisory Board

   The Division of Public Safety and Security Advisory Board functions solely as an advisory group to the Executive Director of DPSS. The Advisory Board is comprised of five or more members, including members representing the five major divisions of the University: Academic Affairs and Provost’s Office, Business and Finance, Medical Affairs, Student Affairs, and Office of General Counsel.

5. Responsibility

   DPSS is responsible for providing all law enforcement, security, and emergency management functions on the University of Michigan Ann Arbor, Flint, and Dearborn campuses. Some specific and unique services are provided to certain major operating units (e.g., University Housing, Michigan Medicine, museums) to meet the security needs of those units.

   DPSS is directly responsible for the overall physical security of all property owned or leased or otherwise controlled by the Regents of the University of Michigan. This includes establishing design specifications and standards for the acquisition and deployment of all access control and physical security technologies.

   The Division also provides guidance and input into design specifications as they relate to building design, engineering, construction, alarm, and monitoring systems.

   DPSS is responsible for ensuring that all officers and staff are trained in, and compliant with all applicable federal, state, local, and University laws and regulations. DPSS is responsible for the overall coordination of the University’s compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act), issuance of timely warnings of threats to the community, publication of a daily crime incident log, and training of campus personnel.

6. Mission

   It is the mission of the Division of Public Safety and Security to provide a safe and secure environment and to protect all persons and property in the University community. The DPSS partners both within the University and with the local community to foster a safe and secure environment in support of the University’s mission of creating, communicating, preserving and applying knowledge, art, and academic values, and in developing leaders and citizens who will challenge the present and enrich the future.

7. Scope of Activities

   The Division of Public Safety and Security departments each have some unique areas of focus:

   1. The University of Michigan Police Department in Ann Arbor and the Dearborn and Flint Departments of Public Safety are full-service community-oriented law enforcement agencies comprised of uniformed security and police officers dedicated to promoting a safe and secure environment for students, faculty, staff, patients, and visitors. The department recognizes the special requirements of an educational environment and works to promote safety and responsibility through education, prevention, and community policing. DPSS police officers are licensed by the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES) and are granted authority to enforce federal law, the laws of the State of Michigan, and the rules and ordinances of the University.
   2. Michigan Medicine Security (MMS) is comprised of uniformed security officers, Guest Service Specialists (GSS), and police officers that work to meet the unique needs of Michigan Medicine. MMS is widely acknowledged as a healthcare security leader in patient, and family-centered care as staff are highly trained healthcare security and police officers equipped to serve all members of the Michigan Medicine community.
   3. Housing Security is comprised of uniformed security officers who provide security services to ensure a safe and secure environment for all residents, staff, and guests utilizing University Housing residence halls, apartments, and facilities. Responsibilities include security patrols, access control, crime prevention educational programming, consultation in matters of student conduct, and oversight of all residential fire safety functions and security technologies.
   4. Emergency Management serves the U-M community in its efforts to prepare for, protect against, respond to and recover from the broad range of emergencies that may adversely impact our people, operations, and environment. In preparation for an emergency, they are responsible for helping the campus community cooperate with primary emergency response teams including but not limited to: EHS, Plant Operations, and local, county, and state first responder agencies.
   5. DPSS Security Services provides oversight and coordination of infrastructure protection, security systems, technology management, strategic intelligence, special events, and protective security. DPSS Security Services also provides and coordinates security services for U-M museums. Additionally, DPSS Security Services provides coordination in the areas of both DPSS Special Victims Unit and Community Engagement.
   6. Dispatch Services is comprised of communications personnel who receive emergency and non-emergency telephone and text calls for assistance from the community and dispatch officers, fire department, or EMS personnel as needed. Dispatch services personnel also monitor fire alarm systems, security systems, and access control alarms for campus buildings.

8. Strategic Priorities

   1. Prevent harm against persons - We will vigorously work toward eliminating physical harm against persons by identifying threats and vulnerabilities and implementing risk reduction strategies.
   2. Protect assets - We will be vigilant in preventing loss and damage to our infrastructure as well as personal and intellectual property.
   3. Ensure compliance - We will ensure policies, practices, and operations meet the highest ethical and equitable standards, requirements, credentials, and licensing.
   4. Improving quality of life - We will proactively engage with our community while providing responsive, professional, and compassionate service that improves the quality of life.
   5. Enhance workforce and organizational development - We will invest in the professional development of DPSS personnel and continuously work to improve organizational efficiency and effectiveness