Department of Public Safety

The Mission of Public Safety

The Department of Public Safety, in partnership with the campus community and within the framework of the university's mission, is dedicated to creating and promoting a safe, secure and peaceful environment by applying policies and laws, delivering emergency services, performing requests for assistance, and providing on-going education.

The following are the Public Safety Department’s guiding principles:

• Respect: We will respect all people in all situations.
• Integrity: We will maintain integrity in all that we do.
• Impartial: We will be impartial in the delivery of services.
• Information: We will provide clear, timely, and accurate information.

The Commitment of Public Safety

The University of St. Thomas mandates that all employees perform their duties with professionalism, integrity and respect for all.

Public Safety commits to maintaining a department that is trustworthy and responds quickly, positively, and compassionately to our community. It is therefore critical to allow a process for honest feedback for all department employees, and it is essential that truthfulness is maintained in the submission and investigation specifically about complaints against Public Safety.

The University has established an online form for complaints about employees to be submitted. All complaints against Public Safety are reviewed by Human Resources, with follow up and resolution done in coordination with the Director of Public Safety and/or associate director.

Similarly, you may file a police misconduct complaint against an employee of the Saint Paul Police Department or Minneapolis Police Department. If you believe a police officer was contractually working at or for the University of St. Thomas, please also submit basic details using our online reporting process so Public Safety can review the details of the complaint for future employment considerations.

• Submit a Bias Complaint About a University Employee
• View the Service Contract Between St. Thomas and the Saint Paul Police Department
• File a Police Misconduct Complaint with Saint Paul Police Department
• File a Police Misconduct Complaint with Minneapolis Police Department

The Department of Public Safety is responsible for:

• Parking and Transportation Support, including the Campus Shuttle
• Campus Maps
• Emergency Planning
• Campus Safety, Consisting of Patrol and Dispatch, Crime Prevention, and Safety Services (Including Vehicle Assistance)

Services from Public Safety

The Public Safety Department operates seven days a week, 24 hours a day, covering both the St. Paul and Minneapolis campuses.

The primary focus of the department is the care and safety of the students, employees, and guests of the University. Services provided to the community include immediate response to medical emergencies, responding to crimes in progress or suspicious persons, providing campus safety escorts, assisting with vehicle lockouts and jump-starts, and conducting safety inspections. The department is also responsible for the campus-wide emergency notification system.

Public Safety officers are trained in first aid, crisis management, emergency response, investigation, general safety, crime prevention, diversity and equity principles, and application of policies and laws.

Dispatch Center

We have five full-time Dispatchers, including a Lead Dispatcher, who aer on duty at all times, including holidays.

Our dispatch front desk area is open all the time. You can enter our dispatch center in Morrison Hall near LOT B on the St. Paul campus.