University Police

What is the program’s mission statement or statement of purpose? Why does the program exist?

Our mission is to provide a professional law enforcement and service function to the University Community. Preserving the peace, protecting life and property, preventing crime, apprehending criminals and recovering lost and stolen property. We believe in enforcing in a fair and impartial manner the laws of the State of Illinois and the federal code of the United States, as well as the enforcement of the University rules and regulations. To respect and protect the rights of individuals and perform police duties with honesty, zeal, courage, discretion, fidelity, and sound judgment. To actively pursue proactive crime prevention processes to reduce one's vulnerability to crime.

How does the program mission align with the university mission?

We strive to provide a safe environment for the campus community so the mission of the University can be accomplished.

Whom does the program serve?

The students, staff, faculty, and visitors that make up the campus community are all served by the University Police.

What are the services provided? How do these services align with the university mission and program mission?

Educational programs, security, protective services, enforcment, and auxillary services are provided.  These services are conducted in order to provide a safer environment and the perception of safety for the community.  Some services are just that, a service, and they promote safety in some cases and in others they simply show that we care about the community.

Describe the program’s origins (e.g. year established, purpose, expectations).

I believe that the department went from being a security force to being a sworn police department in the late 1960s.  There were night watchmen at least as far back as the 1940s that a retired instructor recalled.  The department is established by statute to provide the campus with its own police force.  The officers are sworn and possess all the common enforcement powers but are not allowed to serve civil process.

How has the unit changed or adapted over time?

The department went from a security department to a sworn police force.  In the 1990s the department grew from about 15 officers to 28 officers due to the COPS grants that were available.  The department currently has 21 of the 23 sworn positions filled.  The command structure has decreased from 9 positions to only 5 at this time.

If needed, provide supplemental comments to help the reader understand the program’s history and relevance to university mission.

Provide data, if available, on the numbers of students, faculty, staff, or others served by the program during the past four years. If no data are available, please estimate the numbers served annually.

The University Police serve all the campus community.  Through field contacts, calls for service, reports, traffic stops, community policing, and educational programs and presentations we come into contact with thousands of community members each year.

Does the program offer any co-curricular opportunities for students (e.g., internships, RSO support, service-learning activities)? Please describe.

Job-shadowing, internships, and ride along programs allow students to experience some of what police officers do daily.  Safety, civil, and legal concerns limit participation but most students seem to enjoy and learn from their experiences.

Does the program contribute to the delivery of academic programs (e.g., providing professional expertise, serving as adjunct faculty)? Please describe.

Officers often serve as guest speakers in classes and provide expertise on various topics.

If needed, provide supplemental comments to help the reader understand the internal demand for the program. Note any clarifications or special circumstances (e.g., curriculum changes made by another program) that should be considered when reviewing the above data.

Is the program accredited or approved by a recognized external agency or otherwise certified to meet established professional standards? Provide an executive summary of and link to the program’s most recent accreditation or certification report, if available.

The University Police are not accredited.  The Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board monitors some of the legal mandates that we follow.

Is the program required to meet any regulatory or legal requirements? Is the program subject to any special auditing requirements?

We have many mandates and legal requirements.  There are required policies, standards, training, and equipment.  We are audited by different offices within the state and sometimes by federal offices as well.

What are the most important outreach or public service activities supported by the program?

Unified patrol, emergency notification, and educational programs are some of the activities that might be viewed as the most important.

How do the local community and the region benefit from the program?

The University Police provide additional law enforcement services to the Charleston community which serves as a host to many students.  The additional services cover shortages within the services provided by the Charleston Police and makes the community safer.

If needed, provide supplemental comments or data sources to help the reader understand the external demand for the program.

What are the two or three more important measureable outcomes tracked to assess program quality? Does the program conduct an outcomes assessment, and if so, what has been the impact?

The important outcomes aren't measureable.  The lack of crime and the perception of safety can't be measured although a survey might provide some insight to how safe people feel.

What are the two or three most effective best practices that the program has implemented? What benefits have been gained from implementing these best practices?

Studies have shown that officers that patrol alone are more  productive and less likely to use force in the course of an arrest.  This provides greater coverage of the campus and less injuries to the officers and the public.

What external recognitions (e.g., awards, accommodations, professional certifications, references in trade publications) have the program and its staff received in the past three years?

The local MADD chapter has recognized the department and individual officers for DUI enforcement efforts.  The state has recognized us for our participation in traffic enforcement campaigns.  The city of Charleston has recognized and commended our department and officers over the last three years  for assistance with various incidents.

Is the program active with any regional, national, or international professional organizations?

FBI National Academy Associates

Northwestern School of Police Staff and Command Alumni

International Association of Chiefs of Police

National Association of Chiefs of Police

Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police

Illinois Police Association

International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators

Illinois Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators

Illinois Association of Technical Accident Investigators

International Association of Police Mountain Bikes

International Association of Hostage Negotiators

Central Illinois Association of Law Enforcement Executives

Charleston Exchange Club

RFY-UMADD

Note any presentations, publications, or offices held in the last three years.

 Coles County Emergency 911 Board Member

Children's Advocacy Center of Eastern Illinois Board Member

East Central Illinois Task Force Board Member

East Central Illinois Mobile Law Enforcement Training Team Board Member

If needed, provide supplemental comments or data sources to help the reader understand the quality of program outcomes.

Note any special benefits (e.g., personnel support, equipment, permanent improvements) that the program has received in the past three years from its grants and other sponsored programs.

We received one small grant from the Illinois Department of Transportation for personnel during holiday seasons for extra traffic and alcohol enforcement and some reimbursement from the state for training and equipment modification. 

Restituition is awarded by the courts for some damages and those funds typically go to other campus departments or the general fund.  Drug, alcohol, and other cases can generate some restricted funds or property that can awarded to the department

How does the program benefit from donor gifts (e.g., scholarships, endowed chairs)? Does donor support provide a significant percentage of the program’s overall funding?

Although many police and public safety departments are used as a focus for collecting funding, we have not been utilized in that manner.

List two or three key relationships that the program maintains with external constituencies (e.g., community colleges, other universities, government bodies). How do these relationships advance the university mission or otherwise benefit the university?

We work with and provide assistance to other local and state agencies and are assisted by them as needed.  This allows us to have additional resources and personnel to handle situations which might otherwise be too much for a department of our size.  This helps us maintain a safer campus so that the mission of the university can be carried out.

If needed, provide supplemental comments to help the reader understand the resources generated by the program. Note any clarifications or special circumstances (e.g., revenue pass-throughs) that should be considered when reviewing the above data.

Provide an executive summary of and link to any metrics or benchmarks that the program tracks to measure productivity.

We don't utilize any metrics or benchmarks to measure productivity.

What initiatives has the program implemented to enhance staff productivity (e.g., access to training, workflow improvements)? Briefly describe the costs and benefits of these initiatives.

Most of the training that we receive comes from a local training team.  We pay a flat rate each year which is currently $3500.00 and additional at times for specific training.  These trainings allow the officers to refresh or improve their understanding of various topics and perform their duties safely.

If needed, provide supplemental comments to help the reader understand the productivity of the program. Note any clarifications or special circumstances (e.g., accreditation requirements, curricular changes, program restructuring) that should be considered when reviewing the above data.

If needed, provide supplemental comments to help the reader understand the costs associated with the program. Note any clarifications or special circumstances (e.g., expenditures made centrally or externally, expenditures made on behalf of other units) that should be considered when reviewing the above data.

Travel costs primarily consist of fuel and vehicle expenses for patrol of the campus and not the common type of expenses associated with travel.

How does the program seek to distinguish itself from similar programs at other institutions?

Many of the tasks associated with a police department aren't popular or pleasant.  The University Police provide professional police services in a manner which exceeds what would normal expectations.  The fact that we serve in the Student Affairs Division instead of under the President or the VPBA is an indication of the focus that prior administrations wanted for the police department.  I feel that we provide services such as motorists assists, unlocks, and escorts that many other university police departments will not perform.

Note any unique and/or essential contributions that the program makes to the university.

We oversee Parking and have been heavily involved with the Night Assistant Program in the past and currently work with the Panther Shuttle and are in the process of implementing the Panther Patrol.  Building checks, security camera review, money escorts, special event and athletic event security are also provided by the department.  We serve as 1st responders and provide emergency response beyond the initial stages of an incident.

Provide any program-specific metrics that help to document program contributions or program quality. Examples of some commonly used program-specific metrics may be found here.

The numbers vary each year but we handle hundreds of calls for service and take hundreds of reports.  Service calls can range from unlcoking or jump-starting a vehicle to helping to evacuate a building during a fire.  We issue thousands of parking tickets each fiscal year and issue thousands of permits.

If needed, provide supplemental comments to help the reader understand the program impact on the university mission.

Provide a link to or listing of the program’s goals and/or strategic plan.

Increase the level of staffing to provide adequate security and protection for the campus community.

Develop the command structure to insure continuous coverage.

Improve emergency response capabilities through additional training and the acquisition of new equipment.

Construct a new facility to provide for departmental needs including space, weapon storage, evidence security, and safety.

What role will the program have in the implementation of the university’s strategic plan (provide link to strategic plan)?

The University Police help to provide an environment in which the University can provide the education and services according to the misson and plan.  Under Campus and Community Life the environment here will be such that the activities and engagement may take place.

In the next two or three years, what best practices, improvements in operations, or other opportunities to advance the university’s mission are likely to be implemented?

I think that there will be more opportunities for local agencies to train together and share equipment and program expenses.  The combination of presentations and services by departments will eliminate or at least reduce the duplication of effort.  The need for programs to downsize and decrease some offerings might place some tasks in more appropriate areas.

If needed, provide supplemental comments to help the reader understand future opportunities for the program.