History

The NIU Department of Police and Public Safety has a rich and exciting history. We went through our archives of annual reports, President's Papers, NIU News stories and our memories to share some of our favorite events here. If you are doing research or are just curious, visit our office to read more about the history of our department. The NIU Department of Police and Public Safety comes from humble beginnings and has flourished to become a modern agency.

This historical information has been gathered from several sources including the Regional History Center in the Founders Memorial Library and NIU Police inventory and personnel records.

• 1920

  Watchmen

  Allen Cater then Joseph Willrett were employed as watchmen with little authority. The watchmen merely locked doors after classes ended.

• 1920

  Grounds Building

  The first watchman reported to the ground building and had no office space. He was left to walk the campus.

• 1949

  City of DeKalb Police

  William Walsh was the first police officer at Northern and was hired under the grounds department. Walsh's job duties were to patrol the campus on foot during the daytime and to write parking tickets for cars that were improperly parked. Walsh obtained a City of DeKalb Police uniform, a city badge and city parking violation tickets.

• 1955

  First Chief

  Francis Sullivan, who was Sheriff of DeKalb County from 1950 to 1954, was hired as a part-time watchman. Sullivan was reassigned to a policeman for only 11 days before he was elevated to the rank of sergeant. On August 2, 1958, Sullivan became the first “Chief” of police at Northern.

• 1958

  Vehicle

  The first vehicle was assigned to the department.

  

• 1961

  Police Service

  The Police and Watch service was established as its own division under the Director of Business Services, Mr. Z. H. Dorland.

  

• 1963

  Radio Communications

  A license was granted by the Federal Communications Commission to operate a base station. The radio frequency allowed direct communication between NIU police and City of DeKalb Police, DeKalb County Sheriff's Police, Illinois State Police, as well as many other cities in the vicinity. Today, NIU operates through STARCOM satellite radio communications.

• 1963

  Northern Illinois University Police

  The Illinois General Assembly passed legislation which gave complete police authority to the University officers under the Teachers College Board. This meant NIU police had full jurisdiction in all of Illinois and were able to report to the university.

• 1964

  DeKalb County Police

  Chief Sullivan obtained Deputy Sheriff commissions and uniforms for the NIU officers.

  

• 1964

  Barracks on Garden Road

  The NIU police department moved into the barracks when there were several officers and equipment.

• 1964

  375 Wirtz Drive

  The NIU Police Department moved into the brand new Security and Telephone Building on the campus. Several services are still maintained in this location.

• 1965

  Police Academy

  NIU held a police academy to certify police officers for the State of Illinois for several police agencies in the area.

• 1967

  Ambu-wagon

  NIU Police officers operated a 1965 Ford Ranch station wagon, affectionately called the ambu-wagon. The ambu-wagon had a stretcher and officers with CPR certification would transport students to medical facilities on campus. When the DeKalb Fire Department was on strike, officers transported DeKalb residents as far as Rockford for medical attention.

  

• 1968

  African American Officer

  NIU Police hired Robert Phifer, the first African American police officer in DeKalb County. Officer Phifer was a U.S. Army Military Police veteran and an NIU student and retired after 25 years of service.

• 1969

  Police Community Relations

  A Police Community Relations program was instituted to maintain two-way communication between police and the community. Early programs included rap sessions and police teams in intramural sports.

• 1970

  Undercover Officer

  James Carlson was NIU's first undercover officer, hired to seek criminal information and follow up on threats.

• 1971

  Female Officer

  NIU Police hired Diane Palombi, the first woman police officer on any state university campus in Illinois.

• 1994

  Bicycle Program

  Officer Robert Cannon pioneered the NIU police bicycle program.

• 2002

  K-9 Program

  The first K-9, Kazan, was trained in Explosive Ordinance Disposal. The program continues today.

• 2002

  Emergency Medical Technician-Basic

  All NIU police officers completed additional emergency medical training to enhance response capabilities.

• 2005

  Paramedic Program

  Two NIU police officers earned paramedic certification and equipped a marked police vehicle with ambulance-level equipment.

• 2009

  Move to 395 Wirtz Drive

  The NIU Department of Police and Public Safety's administrative and patrol operations expanded into the newly renovated space to meet the needs of modern policing.

• 2013

  DeKalb County Major Case Squad

  NIU Police Detectives joined the DeKalb County Major Case Squad to respond when requested by member agencies.

• 2014

  Full Scale Exercise

  NIU Police conducted the largest full-scale exercise in Northern Illinois, simulating an active shooter response with approximately 90 first responders.