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Public Safety

The Office of Public Safety operates a full-function, state certified, law enforcement agency within the Statesboro and Armstrong campuses of Georgia Southern University.  The 80 member department consists of 66 sworn police officers, 12 communications officers, and additional administrative and support personnel. Police officers enforce the laws of the State of Georgia and patrol all campus properties and adjacent areas. Officers are authorized under Georgia O.C.G.A. 20-3-72 to make arrests on and within 500 yards of any property owned and controlled by the State of Georgia Board of Regents. Additionally, officers investigate crime, provide protection for visiting dignitaries, maintain security for large sporting and public events, provide crime prevention programming, and conduct security assessments.The Office of Public Safety is staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Mission & Purpose

The mission of Georgia Southern University Office of Public Safety is to provide a friendly, safe, and healthy environment for all students, employees, and visitors.

The Office of Public Safety is charged with the responsibility of serving and protecting the students, employees, and visitors of Georgia Southern University. The Office vigorously responds to calls for law enforcement services, enforces all State and local laws and ordinances, protects life and property, investigates matters of a criminal nature, preserves the peace, and strives to prevent crime and disorder. We are guided by the policies enacted by the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia, the laws of the state of Georgia, and the Constitution of the United States of America.

We must strive to set a standard of excellence for others to follow, both individually and collectively. In keeping with this goal, we have adopted the following concise mission statement that reflects the fundamental principles of our department. We feel this should be the cornerstone of each and every member of our department’s policing philosophy.

Departmental Divisions

The Uniform Patrol Division provides patrol functions 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for the protection of persons and property. The division consists of professional men and women dedicated to protect and serve the Georgia Southern University community. Each officer has completed training mandated by the State of Georgia and is sworn to uphold the laws of the state. In addition, the officers are deputized by the County Sheriff’s department in the event their services are required outside the University. Patrol officers provide a variety of law enforcement services including responding to calls for service, responding to emergencies, taking reports, conducting preliminary investigations, monitoring security of University property, traffic enforcement, traffic accident investigation, and security at special events. Officers patrol the Georgia Southern University campuses and surrounding areas in marked police vehicles, on foot, on police bicycles and other marked vehicles.

Specialty Units

Bike Patrol Officers are extremely agile and highly visible. These proactive community policing units patrol all areas of campus to include highly populated and pedestrian areas that are not accessible by vehicle, which makes them more approachable and increases interaction with the campus community. Because of their increased accessibility they are also capable of responding to areas of the campus more quickly than vehicle units.

K-9 Patrol Officers perform special patrol details as well as assist in daily patrol operations. The officer and specially trained canine perform tasks including building searches, evidence searches, and searches for explosive materials and/or devices. Other tasks include performing canine demonstrations for schools and civic organizations. Often the K-9 Unit is requested to assist other local, state, and federal agencies.

The responsibility of the Evidence & Property Unit is to properly receive, document, safeguard, prepare for release, release, and destroy items entered into the custody of the Office of Public Safety. Additionally, this Unit is responsible for shipping items to other law enforcement agencies for release to owners, or submission of items and information for court proceedings. The Unit is required to safeguard found items for specified periods of time by law.

Crime Prevention designs programs to inform students and employees about campus safety and security practices, and crime prevention. In addition, the Crime Prevention Coordinator and other personnel conduct physical security surveys upon request.

Communications Division

Communications – Police Dispatch is responsible for handling all communications into and out of the Office of Public Safety through radio, telephone, and Live Safe mobile app communications systems. The dispatch center is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by personnel trained to handle all calls for service in both emergency and non-emergency situations. Communications personnel also monitor closed circuit cameras as well as the burglar, fire, and emergency alarm systems on each campus.

Criminal Investigation Division

The Criminal Investigation Division is responsible for follow-up crime investigations and internal affairs investigations, plain clothes operations, surveillance, and providing security for distinguished guests and dignitaries. Investigators are called to process crime scenes, to collect and process evidence, and to interview witnesses and possible suspects. Investigators often serve as liaisons with the offices of the District Attorney, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and other law enforcement agencies.

Administrative Division

The Administrative Division is responsible for the overall direction, development, and supervision of the Office of Public Safety. The areas of responsibility include primary business administration, management, planning and research, budget preparation and accounting, payroll, recruitment, promotion selection, public information, general orders development, and emergency management. The Division consists of the Director-Chief of Police, Deputy Chief of Police at Armstrong, Deputy Chief of Police at Statesboro, Captain of Criminal Investigations, Captain of Support Services, Director of Emergency Management, and Senior Administrative Assistant.

The Records Unit is responsible for the receipt and maintenance of physical records of all police operations including incident/offense reports, accident reports, and criminal records. In addition, this Unit assists with open records requests, crime statistics, case files, and UCR reporting.

The Training and Recruitment Unit is responsible for coordinating and conducting training for all police. Training subjects include criminal law, public relations, race relations, interpersonal communications, crisis intervention, critical incident response, and all other facets of protection of persons and property. The Training Coordinator also assists in the recruitment of new officers and employees to the Office of Public Safety.

The Office of Emergency Management is responsible for the development and management of the University’s comprehensive emergency management program.

Building Emergency Safety Team

You can play a vital role in the health and safety of our University community.

The Building Emergency Safety Team (B.E.S.T.) program empowers our faculty and staff at Georgia Southern University to prepare for and respond to natural and human-caused emergencies. An important initiative like this needs many dedicated staff and faculty.

Sign Up to Be a Volunteer

You can become a member of the Building Emergency Safety Team and help in times of emergency.

Volunteers like you will be trained to assist in hazard monitoring, emergency preparedness, and protective actions for your building.

Every minute counts in an emergency. Knowing the appropriate action can make a difference. As a B.E.S.T. member, you will learn to support life-saving actions such as first aid, AED, fire safety, bleed control, evacuation procedures and team development.

Your participation makes a difference! Lead the way for encouraging and setting the example for a culture of safety on our campuses.

Join the Public Safety Team

The Office of Public Safety is a full-function, state certified police department providing services to Georgia Southern University. Our Statesboro, Savannah, and Hinesville campuses are located in the beautiful coastal region of Georgia.

The 86 member department consists of 66 sworn police officers, 14 communications staff, and additional administrative and support personnel. Police Officers enforce the laws of the State of Georgia and patrol all campus properties and adjacent areas. In addition, our officers investigate crime, provide protection for visiting dignitaries, maintain security for large sporting and public events, and conduct crime prevention programming and security assessments.

What We Offer

Tuition Assistance Program

As a Georgia Southern employee, you have access to the TAP supplemental education assistance program.

Shooting Sports Education Center

All DPS staff have access to free membership to the SSEC.

Fitness & Wellness Plan

Fitness assessments and tactical fitness programs are available for all DPS staff.

Building a Better U

Georgia Southern employees have access to this online professional development resource.

Unlimited Dining Access

Uniformed employees (Law Enforcement, Communications, and Life & Safety) have unlimited dining access in University dining halls (Dining Commons, Lakeside, and The Galley) when on-duty/in uniform.

Uniform, Clothing, & Equipment Allowance

Sworn personnel (with the rank of lieutenant or below) are eligible for a $200 bi-annual allowance for authorized occupationally related articles not otherwise provided by the agency.

Dedicated Gym Space

DPS employees benefit from a dedicated gym space as well as time allowed for fitness activities while on duty.

State of GA Employee Perks

All Georgia Southern employees have access to discounts on attractions, shopping, and much more throughout the state.

Extra Duty Pay

Both salaried and hourly employees can be paid $50/hr for extra duty details.

USG Health Benefits Package

Georgia Southern employees have access to the full suite of health, life, dental, and vision insurance.

Paid Parental Leave

Full-time employees have up to 3 weeks of paid parental leave available.

Retirement Packages

Both retirement plans and supplemental retirement savings options are available.

Engagement

As part of the Division of Business & Finance, DPS employees take part in governance, engagement, and networking opportunities.

Our Traditions

Georgia Southern has a rich history. Since its humble beginnings as First District A&M School in 1906, the University has established a wide range of traditions that serve to distinguish it from its peers and deepen the bond with its own students as each year passes.

Campus Community

Georgia Southern has three distinct campuses, serving the needs of one dynamic institution. Our campus communities are rich in traditions and history.

Mission & Vision

The mission of Georgia Southern University Office of Public Safety is to provide a friendly, safe, and healthy environment for all students, employees, and visitors.