Annual Report 2012 Ferris State University Department of P ublic ...

Police Operations
The Ferris State University Department of Public Safety (DPS) has served the students, faculty and
staff since the uniformed and armed officers first took their oath in 1958. The officers are licensed
by the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and have the authority and
responsibility to investigate, search, arrest and use reasonable force as necessary to protect people
and property and to enforce the laws of the State of Michigan and the Ordinances of the University.
Police operations is one of the three areas of responsibility for the department; parking resource
management and emergency management make up the other two. The officers regularly practice
community policing ideas and are each assigned to specific resident halls and apartment complexes
to further enhance the officers contact with students. DPS officers regularly present programs to
students and staff that are designed to enhance safety and security across campus.
Student employees round out our service based response for the university. Students staff our
dispatch center which monitors intrusion, robbery, fire, elevator, temperature and maintenance
alarms for University buildings. Students also work in areas of parking enforcement, clerical,
special events and foot patrol where they provide escorts and assist patrol officers during the
evening hours.
Police operations seeks to fulfill the department statement of purpose every day the officers work.
Our goal is to serve and protect the students, faculty, staff and visitors of the University and to
further the academic pursuits of FSU in two ways: actually keeping people and property safe and in
helping to create an environment where people feel completely safe.
The department has a cooperative relationship and works closely with the Big Rapids Police,
Mecosta County Sheriff and other local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.
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