Public Safety Team

Public Safety Team

The Temple University Department of Public Safety helps to promote and secure campus safety and well-being, but many other people,  entities, organizations, initiatives, and resources also help to promote safety and well-being. Law enforcement is an important part of safety, but it is just one part of a much larger public safety ecosystem.

Public Safety members are committed to excellence. Our team of diverse and trained professionals is committed to nurturing a safe and desirable space for those who live, work and visit. We build partnerships to solve problems and improve public safety in a manner that is consistent, impartial and transparent.

Police Operations

While on patrol, officers respond to incidents and service requests. They are also available to converse with the campus community.

A team of sworn police officers monitor the Temple community and surrounding area. Each officer has received state-mandated training at an accredited police academy. On any given day, officers are visible in vehicles, on bikes and on foot.

Seeking to utilize personnel and technology to provide an effective response, Temple has several specialized units, including Hazardous Device teams, the Investigative division, and Honor Guard. Since 2004, Temple police officers have taken part in the nationally acclaimed Active Shooter program to ensure all police personnel are trained in responding to this potential situation.

Security Operations

Collaboration and cooperation are key concepts in maintaining security. Our Security Division includes Temple and Allied Universal security officers. Security officers collaborate closely with police personnel to coordinate personal safety and property protection in university buildings, including Temple-sponsored residence halls, and throughout the community.

Communication Center

The Communication Center provides support to our university’s police and security personnel and our community at-large, and operates 24 hours per day, 365 days per year.

It monitors and coordinates responses to over 600 surveillance cameras, Code Blue emergency phones, our walking escort program, elevator emergency phones, panic alarms, intrusion alarms, fire alarms and law enforcement activity. Its technology includes the TU siren, the TUalert notification system and the Computer Aided Dispatching System that interfaces with the Philadelphia Police Department’s 911 Emergency Dispatch Center.

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Advocacy Services

When a crime or misconduct happens, victims may experience trauma that may affect their cognitive processes and emotional responses. Our goal is to assist individuals through advocacy, education and empowerment by offering support and sensitivity so that they may become more resilient and resume their daily routines.

Advocacy services provide information on

  • resources and referrals,
  • victimization,
  • legal rights and protection, and
  • risk reduction strategies.

Assistance can include

  • emotional support,
  • accompaniment to court,
  • safety planning,
  • the student conduct process and
  • the crime victims compensation process.