Empowered by the State of Illinois, and appointed by the NIU Board of Trustees, NIU’s Department of Public Safety University Police Officers have the same powers as city police officers and county deputy-sheriffs. Their duties are primarily limited to the campus and include the authority to assist with emergencies, investigate crimes, make arrests and file police reports. All officers in the Department of Public Safety are currently certified, or will be certified, as Emergency Medical Technicians. University Police has a varying number of paramedics. Officers patrol the campus 24 hours a day.
Emergency assistance call boxes are conveniently located throughout campus in well-lighted areas for requesting emergency assistance and for alerting the University Police of a crime or suspicious activity. Boxes allow persons to simply open the call box and pick up a phone to immediately be in contact with the University Police Department. The same applies for all emergency call boxes, handsets or intercoms in the campus elevators as they are programmed to automatically call the NIU Police. Also available is a 24-hour-a-day 911 service. The service provides prompt access to police, fire and medical services.
NIU encourages individuals to report all crimes to the campus police and police agencies with jurisdiction in an accurate and timely manner. NIU provides several ways to report crimes or other emergencies to campus police or obtain help. It is the university’s policy that NIU community members should report whenever they observe anything suspicious, believe they have discovered a crime or come across a hazard which could cause harm to them or others. Crimes can be reported on a confidential basis for inclusion in the Annual Security Report.
Special Note: Due to regional telephone system requirements, special dialing may be required depending on the type of phone being used to call from. For on-campus system phones out-calling only (i.e., from 753-**** and 752-**** exchanges) one CANNOT dial 1+10 digits to other campus system numbers, like 753-1212. It will be blocked. However from cellular phones and other off-campus numbers one MUST dial the area code and number (1+ 10 digits).
The NIU Department of Public Safety maintains a working relationship with local, county and state police. It participates in the DeKalb County Crime Stoppers Program and is a member of the North Central Narcotics Task Force.
NIU’s Department of Public Safety emphasizes crime prevention by minimizing crime opportunities and by encouraging students and employees to be responsible for their own and others’ security. During 2006, NIU Police presented 90 sessions of either a comprehensive crime prevention program or a safety program to university groups. NIU Police provided education and crime prevention information to approximately 5,000 students and parents at Orientation and New Student Welcome Days.
In the event that a timely warning of criminal activity is required by the Clery Act, it will be based on the judgment of the Chief of the NIU Police or designee in consultation with relevant university staff. The NIU Department of Public Safety prepares a news release for the NIU Public Affairs Office and local media. Broadcast voicemail and broadcast email as well as public address systems in Grant, Neptune and Stevenson residence halls, Founders Library, and Holmes Student Center are available to issue an immediate warning to students and faculty. Flyers are also posted throughout residential halls and in campus buildings. Timely warnings are also posted on the Department of Public Safety web site located at www.finfacil.niu.edu/PublicSafety.
The university’s buildings are monitored and patrolled by NIU police officers. University Security Guards patrol the buildings at night. Campus lighting exceeds the industry standard for pedestrian walkways. Shrubbery and other vegetation are kept trimmed to avoid obstructing visibility. Parking lots throughout campus are well lit and routinely patrolled by Department of Public Safety officers. In addition, the parking deck and campus elevators are equipped with a communication system that is connected to the Department of Public Safety. Possession and use of weapons are strictly prohibited on the NIU campus.
The university provides an effective structure for the protection of students in residence halls. The elements of this system include:
The university places restrictions on guests, building access, and actions that may have a detrimental effect on student security. Such restrictions include:
If a student is found to violate any of the above restrictions, the university may impose fines or other sanctions on the student. Additional information can be found in the Safety, Security and Emergency Procedures section of the “Guide Post,” a residence hall handbook and planner. It can be found online at www.niu.edu/housing under On Campus Living, Publications, and is also available in hard copy at all residence halls.
To further ensure safety in the residence halls, the Department of Public Safety, in collaboration with Housing & Dining, has implemented the Residence Hall Officers Program. The program consists of Department of Public Safety officers assigned to Community Safety Centers in the residence halls. These officers provide information and assistance to students, as well as conduct proactive services intended to prevent crime in and around the residence halls.
Students are governed by NIU’s Student Code of Conduct, which contains policies affecting security on campus. Such policies include those that regulate:
The university has the right to discipline for on- and off-campus actions, up to and including expulsion.
All private fraternity and sorority houses are located off campus and therefore fall under the law enforcement jurisdiction of the DeKalb Police Department.
DeKalb Police monitor and record criminal activity at non-campus locations and may work cooperatively with NIU Police, Judicial Office and Student Affairs to address problems as they arise.
NIU has four satellite learning centers: NIU Hoffman Estates; Lorado Taft Field Campus in Oregon; NIU Rockford; and NIU Naperville. These locations have on-site security guards and local police that patrol the surrounding vicinities. Occasionally non-campus locations controlled by other organizations may be used. The police departments serving their respective communities police them.