SECURITY DIVISION
DPS employs 15 full time non-sworn security officers assigned to the Security Division. Additionally, DPS employs another 16-18 seasonal part-time security officers during the spring and fall academic semesters. In addition to the Residence Hall Security Program, the Department has non-sworn officers assigned to provide physical security for academic buildings and other support facilities. Security Officers receive annual in-service training through the Department.
Security officers provide coverage from 8:00 p.m. until 4:00 a.m. every day of the week during the spring and fall semesters. Coverage is provided as needed for occupancies that occur during the summer months and during breaks.
Security officers provide a variety of services that include intermittent stationary post at the security desk and high visibility foot patrols throughout:
- residence hall areas
- general campus
- the community
- University facilities
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Detecting and then deterring persons and contraband that are not permitted to be in University Residence Halls.
- Assisting in medical emergencies, fire drills, disruptive incidents, and providing walking safety escorts.
- Assisting with the locking and securing of all campus academic and residence hall buildings.
- Assisting Residence Life staff with minor quality of life issues such as noise complaints and policy violations.
- Assisting the University Police Officers as needed.
HYBRID PATROL | RESIDENCE HALL AREAS
Foot patrols increase safety by increasing visibility and improving personal relationships between community members and law enforcement which improves our ability to detect, deter, and fight crime.
Security officers intermittently are stationed at the security desk to monitor egress and activity entering the residence halls. Officers also assist with ensuring visitors are adhering to the guest policy by checking in using the digital visitor management system. All guests must be signed/checked into each residential building by their West Chester University student host using the kiosk located in the lobby of each residence hall. Guests must have a valid and acceptable form of identification and must be accompanied by their host at all times. Guests under the age of 18 are not permitted to sign into the residence halls. Some exceptions may be made for formal programs or initiatives of the University.
*ACCEPTABLE FORMS OF IDENTIFCATION:*
All guests entering a residence hall are required to physically possess and display upon demand a valid government-issued identification card such as a driver’s license, military ID, state-issued ID, passport, or valid WCU Ram E-Card. Date of birth and address must be listed on the identification card. Expired driver’s licenses and other expired IDs will not be accepted. Suspicious or suspected fraudulent identification documents are subject to seizure and criminal charges by the University police. Digital, photocopies, or screenshots are not acceptable forms of identification.
The University's Guest Policy is designed to maintain security and safety in the residence halls and apartments. Students are permitted to host guests in their residence hall rooms and apartments. However, every guest is subject to University rules and regulations and is the responsibility of the resident host at all times. The University reserves the right to deny access to any person if it is reasonably determined that such person presents a threat to the peace, safety, and welfare of other residents or if they lack a valid identification card.
BIKE PATROL
Targeted enforcement, surveillance, traffic enforcement, and public order are just a few ways in which bike officers are deployed. All bike officers are trained and certified through IPMBA (International Police Mountain Bike Association).
SPECIAL EVENTS
West Chester University Police and provide services for University events. West Chester departments and other organizations may request WCU Police Officers, security officers, or parking enforcement to work events on campus such as dances, parties, seminars/lectures, sporting events, etc.
Although not able to make physical arrests, security officers are able to initiate judicial proceedings with the Office of Student Affairs.
CONTACTS
- Lieutenant Laura McGill, Assistant Director of Public Safety
- Corporal Joseph Lambert, Security Supervisor
- Corporal Kenneth Bronson, Security Supervisor
- Sheila Santos-Silva, Officer In Charge (OIC)