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CUNY's (City University of New York) Public Safety Service: Moving Towards Specialization

NCJ Number
173005
Journal
Campus Law Enforcement Journal Volume: 26 Issue: 4 Dated: July/August 1996 Pages: 25-27
Author(s)
J A Elique
Date Published
1996
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This description of specialized services in the Public Safety Service of the City University of New York (CUNY) focuses on bicycle patrols, an elite response unit, and a latent print unit.
Abstract
Approximately 4 years ago, CUNY embarked on a Security and Public Safety Initiative designed to enhance the public safety and security services provided by CUNY's 19 colleges. The system-wide program was developed to replace the colleges' private contract security services with highly trained in-house Campus Public Safety Officers, who are sworn peace officers with arrest powers. To date, CUNY has recruited, screened, trained, and assigned 150 Campus Sergeants. Having completed a rigorous 8-week training program, these officers, who serve as first-line supervisors, have been sworn in as Peace Officers and Special Patrolmen by the New York City Police Department. CUNY has also trained and assigned 527 Campus Patrol Officers, who are also sworn Peace Officers. In keeping with its commitment, certain specialized units have been created to supplement the routine patrol and public safety programs of the individual colleges. Bicycle patrols are used at 6 of its 19 campuses. Their mobility, which provides a sense of omnipresence, low maintenance, and public relations value far outweighs other patrol techniques. The Special Assistance For Events (S.A.F.E.) Team mobilizes at the request of a college president or by direct request of the University Chancellor. This team responds to major emergencies, large demonstrations, building takeovers, large college social functions, and other events deemed to need public safety services. The Latent Print Unit consists of six officers who have received training in the identification of prints, rolling of prints, and print categorization.