Welcome

Alan Rowe Director of Public Safety and Chief of Police

University Police endeavor to do all that is possible to build an environment that promotes a feeling of safety and security. Whether your business here is as a student, patron of the arts, faculty member, university staff, conference visitor, athletics fan, or for any other reason, we are working hard to make the campus a place in which you can safely live, work, learn or recreate. University police officers patrol the campus 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The officers provide police related services to the campus community.

Officers of the University Police Department protect life and property, preserve the peace, prevent and repress crime, investigate reported offenses, apprehend offenders, and enforce regulations and laws relating to traffic control. They also collect and preserve physical evidence, prepare cases for court prosecution or disciplinary action, recover lost and stolen property, provide general police services to the University community, and establish and maintain an enforcement policy which is consistent with the requirements of the law and with the best traditions of a democratic society.

The University Police task is to provide a fair, educationally sound program of justice that receives community support is responsive to the interests of all its constituents and assures orderly preservation of the ideals of scholarship and the protection of academic freedom.  A policy that provides for a minimum of administrative enforcement and a maximum of student self-regulation will offer the student the best possible education as to responsibilities as a citizen of the university.  Officers have the discretion to issue warnings and refer minor or first offenses to the institutions’ own judicial systems for resolution.  However, serious law violations including all felonies are subject to appropriate criminal prosecution. University Police follows Federal, State, and Local Laws and enforces Board of Regent and VSU policies.

The University Police Department encourages community involvement and aid in identifying program areas to inform the community of crime prevention methods.  University police officers will establish a spirit of cooperation which will ensure orderly procedures and safeguard the rights of individuals and protect the university’s interests.

The University Police Department offers a variety of crime prevention programs and information sources to help the University community deal with safety issues. Crime statistics and other police related information is available on our web site. Many other services are available by contacting the police department at their non-emergency number: (229) 333-7816.  Immediate police response is available by calling the emergency number: (229) 259-5555. 

Alan Rowe
Director of Public Safety and Chief of Police