Field Services Bureau

Patrol Division

Patrol Officers are one of the most visible representatives of the MSU Department of Police and Public Safety. They can frequently be seen proactively patrolling our community in police vehicles, bicycles, or on foot. Officers work to become well-acquainted with the area and with the community members they serve within our jurisdiction. When not responding directly to 9-1-1 calls, non-emergency police requests, or providing backup to other officers; patrol officers proactively focus on current criminal or safety-related issues throughout the community.

Patrol officers are given extensive training in many different skill sets and attend mandatory training throughout their careers, being that they come across a wide variety of incidents and situations. A background and understanding of patrol work is essential before a transition to any other type of police work. Because of this, all sworn officers begin their careers participating in patrol.

Michigan State University Police and Public Safety has the sole responsibility for providing police and security functions on the campus of MSU. This means that groups or organizations may not contract with any off-campus agency for policing, parking, or security of events held on campus. Police and security needs must be discussed with MSU DPPS and if it is determined that a need exists, MSU DPPS will provide the resources. This often incurs a cost to the organization; however, there are some opportunities for officers to be assigned at a student function without charge to the organization.

The Security Services Division coordinates and assists with planning for any special event on campus that involves resources from MSU DPPS. Currently, special events across campus that request MSU DPPS resources have increased to more than 1,300 events per year.

The responsibility of the Emergency Preparedness Division is to manage any emergency or disaster by protecting, planning, responding, recovering, and mitigating. Michigan State University became accredited in emergency management by the Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP) in October 2017, being the fifth university in the world to achieve this distinction. In January 2023, MSU received a second accreditation term, becoming the third university in the country to meet these standards.

As part of the process for accreditation, the MSU Emergency Management Advisory Committee (EMAC) was created to coordinate the planning process. The EMAC Committee brings together stakeholders from across the institution. 

The top eight hazards identified by EMAC include:

• Fire/hazardous material release
• Public health emergency
• Active shooter situations
• Other criminal activity (terrorism/arson/explosives, for example)
• Severe weather (tornado, windstorm, ice storm, blizzard, wind chill)
• Cyber intrusion or network breach
• Flooding
• Power outage

While the committee identified these eight hazards as the primary hazards, the program builds in resilient planning, training, and exercising programs to better prepare MSU for all hazards that may impact the institution.

Emergency Action Teams
Emergency Action Teams have been formed for most facilities on campus. EAT leaders annually receive direct emergency training and train building occupants on the location of rallying points during drills. Feel free to contact an EAT leader in your building for more information about emergency procedures.

Patrol officers are given extensive training in many different skill sets and attend mandatory training throughout their careers, being that they come across a wide variety of incidents and situations. A background and understanding of patrol work is essential before a transition to any other type of police work. Because of this, all sworn officers begin their careers participating in patrol.

Michigan State University Police and Public Safety has the sole responsibility for providing police and security functions on the campus of MSU. This means that groups or organizations may not contract with any off-campus agency for policing, parking, or security of events held on campus. Police and security needs must be discussed with MSU DPPS and if it is determined that a need exists, MSU DPPS will provide the resources. This often incurs a cost to the organization; however, there are some opportunities for officers to be assigned at a student function without charge to the organization.

The Security Services Division coordinates and assists with planning for any special event on campus that involves resources from MSU DPPS. Currently, special events across campus that request MSU DPPS resources have increased to more than 1,300 events per year.