NCJ Number
86431
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 51 Issue: 10 Dated: (October 1982) Pages: 18-23
Date Published
1982
Length
6 pages
Annotation
College campuses need qualified law enforcement and security staffs, and many are extending their public safety services to include fire safety, emergency medical, and civil defense services.
Abstract
The important position of head of the public safety department requires a candidate with a bachelor's degree as a minimum and experience in community relations, law enforcement, and other public safety. The candidate should be able to communicate effectively with various groups both on and off campus and have human relations skills coupled with administrative abilities. Campus law enforcement/security personnel should also be well-educated and have the potential to be trained professionally and adapt to the campus environment. Many campus officers now are encouraged to attend State training academies. Many campus public safety departments use a 24-hour radio communications operator who answers telephones, dispatches various emergency services, and provides general information and assistance to faculty, staff, students, and visitors. Although most universities rely on the city to provide fire protection, a growing number are taking a more active role in campus fire safety and are hiring trained emergency medical technicians to be 'first responders' in medical emergencies while relying on local hospitals to provide full-service emergency rescue and ambulance service. A campus civil defense system should include an alert/notification system, evacuation procedures, a backup power supply, emergency lighting, transportation, food services, and other provisions which may be necessary to maintain minimum life support.