If you need assistance, we're here to help:
- For emergencies: call 911
- For non-emergencies: call 815-753-1212
The university also maintains an emergency response guide, which provides information on a range of situations. Our department is trained to respond to all the situations covered in the guide.
Emergencies and Non-emergencies
It can be hard to tell if a situation is an emergency or not. In general, an emergency is a serious, unexpected and often dangerous situation that may result in personal injury or damage to property and requires immediate action.
For example, you should call 911 if:
- You see a crime in progress (call immediately)
- You're the victim of a crime (call as soon as it's safe to do so)
If immediate assistance is not needed, call our non-emergency number instead (815-753-1212).
Tips for Calling 911
- Stay on the line with the dispatcher; don't hang up until told to do so.
- Provide the address of the building involved and your exact location.
- Provide a thorough description of the incident and individuals involved (clothing, height, weight, direction of travel, etc.).
Please note: Due to cell tower configurations, 911 calls may not always be routed to the NIU police.
Safety Notifications
NIU shares multiple safety notifications with the campus community about emergencies and other situations:
- NIU Alerts: for active or imminent emergencies
- Safety Warnings: for certain crimes that occurred in our patrol area and pose a serious or continuing threat
- Community Awareness Messages: for general safety, traffic or weather updates
Learn more about:
Additional Resources