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Enhancing Safety and Community Policing at the University of Maryland

In 2021, University of Maryland president Darryll J. Pines “...charged a Community Policing Task Force to provide recommendations to enhance public and community policing to help move our campus toward more collaborative and trusting partnerships between our public safety officials and our university community.” In March 2022, President Pines outlined 21 recommendations for implementation that were outlined in the Task Force’s report. In addition, President Pines announced the establishment of a Campus Safety Advisory Council (CSAC) that would include undergraduate and graduate students, faculty and staff. The CSAC meets at least once per semester.


Action Progress

Last Updated

21

Recommendations

9

In Progress

12

Sustained Commitment/Completed

General Campus and Community Recommendations

01

Engage mental health personnel to serve as first responders for mental health calls

Responsible University Partner

  • Division of Student Affairs

Action Status

In Progress

Engage mental health personnel to serve as first responders for mental health calls

UMD is hiring an in-house team of mental health clinicians who will respond to mental health emergencies along with the first responders. The team will be called the Mental Health Emergency Assessment and Response Team (MHEART). New procedures are being implemented for managing mental health transports to better support students in crisis.

02

Establish equitable, transparent and explicit policy, practices and guidelines regarding security at campus events

Responsible University Partner

  • Division of Administration

Action Status

In Progress

Establish equitable, transparent and explicit policy, practices and guidelines regarding security at campus events

Planning underway for engagement of key stakeholders to develop policies, practices and guidelines for campus events.

03

Develop a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Division of Student Affairs and the Department of Public Safety to develop a student-centered approach to policing

Responsible University Partner

  • Division of Administration
  • Division of Student Affairs

Action Status

Completed

Develop a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Division of Student Affairs and the Department of Public Safety to develop a student-centered approach to policing

DPS and Division of Student Affairs continue to work in close partnership in responding to student needs. The MOU was completed in Fall 2023.

04

Enhance and more fully implement existing community policing programs

Responsible University Partner

  • Division of Administration

Action Status

In Progress

Enhance and more fully implement existing community policing programs

DPS continues to enhance and expand community policing programs. Examples include: 1) the Lights On! program that enables officers to issue $250 repair vouchers – instead of tickets – to drivers who are pulled over for broken lights or turn signals; 2) the Resident Life Community Engagement Program launched in August 2023 to create opportunities for interaction and learning among residents, staff, and officers who serve as liaisons in residence halls; and 3) the Mental Health Emergency Assessment and Response Team (MHEART) program currently being implemented in coordination with the Division of Student Affairs (see Task Force Recommendation #1).

05

Continue Department of Public Safety meetings with its student advisory committee on a regular basis

Responsible University Partner

  • Division of Administration

Action Status

Sustained Commitment

Continue Department of Public Safety meetings with its student advisory committee on a regular basis

DPS continues to meet with SGA Student Affairs Committee (SAC), which promotes the general welfare of the student body by working to improve the safety and security of the campus.

06

Continue regular and ongoing diversity training for police officers

Responsible University Partner

  • Division of Administration
  • Office of Diversity and Inclusion

Action Status

Sustained Commitment

Continue regular and ongoing diversity training for police officers

Maryland Police Training Commission requires this training for annual officer certification.Training is next scheduled for Fall 2023.

07

Establish a program of restorative and transformative justice to establish safety and community in the face of different kinds of harm

Responsible University Partner

  • Division of Administration
  • Office of Diversity and Inclusion

Action Status

In Progress

Establish a program of restorative and transformative justice to establish safety and community in the face of different kinds of harm

Planning an approach for establishing a program of restorative and transformative justice.

08

Revise the Department of Public Safety mission statement to align more closely with the mission of the university

Responsible University Partner

  • Division of Administration

Action Status

Completed

Revise the Department of Public Safety mission statement to align more closely with the mission of the university

Mission Statement revised in Spring 2023 to be: 

The mission of the University of Maryland Department of Public Safety is to serve the university community, to protect life and property, and to uphold the law, all within a supportive, respectful and inclusive environment. 

Our values include professionalism, impartiality, empathy, and accountability. 

We are committed to the concept of community policing and work collaboratively to nurture partnerships, strengthen trust, and enrich quality of life.

Recommendations for Police Training, Policies and Practices

09

Continue to conduct annual in-service training for all officers on de-escalation, anti-discrimination, anti-retaliation, anti-harassment, use of force, implicit bias, equity, diversity and inclusion

Responsible University Partner

  • Division of Administration
  • Office of Diversity and Inclusion

Action Status

Sustained Commitment

Continue to conduct annual in-service training for all officers on de-escalation, anti-discrimination, anti-retaliation, anti-harassment, use of force, implicit bias, equity, diversity and inclusion

Annual training is required for all officers to maintain certification. Training is next scheduled for Fall 2023.

10

Continue to require mental health screenings for all police officers prior to hiring

Responsible University Partner

  • Division of Administration

Action Status

Sustained Commitment

Continue to require mental health screenings for all police officers prior to hiring

Mental health screening for all police officers prior to hiring is an ongoing practice required by Maryland law; DPS remains in compliance. A greater focus is being placed on providing support for officer wellness, with additional support steps underway.

11

Continue training Department of Public Safety personnel on appropriate defensive tactics

Responsible University Partner

  • Division of Administration

Action Status

Sustained Commitment

Continue training Department of Public Safety personnel on appropriate defensive tactics

Officers complete regular training on these issues. Maryland Police Training Commission (MPTC) requires 18 hours annually; DPS meets or exceeds all requirements. Training is next scheduled for Fall 2023. DPS has a team of officers trained in crisis intervention who handle mental health calls for service.

12

Create and maintain coordinated protocols for cross-jurisdictional incidents with Prince George’s County, Riverdale Park and Maryland Park and Planning

Responsible University Partner

  • Division of Administration

Action Status

In Progress

Create and maintain coordinated protocols for cross-jurisdictional incidents with Prince George’s County, Riverdale Park and Maryland Park and Planning

UMD has memorandums of understanding (MOU) with Prince George's County and Riverdale Park. MOU with the Maryland-National Capital Park Police is in progress. MOU with the Maryland Transit Administration for the Purple Line planned for completion prior to start of Purple Line operations.

13

Review the use of tasers, non-lethal weapons and increase the use of non-sworn staff for routine patrols

Responsible University Partner

  • Division of Administration

Action Status

In Progress

Review the use of tasers, non-lethal weapons and increase the use of non-sworn staff for routine patrols

DPS established a taser pilot program in August 2022 which is ongoing. Per the recommendation, DPS continues to increase the use of non-sworn officers. In Fall 2023, they hired 80 additional students who are specially trained to conduct routine patrols of campus.

14

Review current procedures for reporting departmental statistics and implement a website that allows public access to this data

Responsible University Partner

  • Division of Administration

Action Status

In Progress

Review current procedures for reporting departmental statistics and implement a website that allows public access to this data

Reviewing DPS procedures for reporting departmental statistics; planned website redesign will update and enhance communication of departmental statistics.

15

Implement Department of Public Safety policy and procedures to ensure better publicity of departmental resources and reports

Responsible University Partner

  • Division of Administration

Action Status

Sustained Commitment

Implement Department of Public Safety policy and procedures to ensure better publicity of departmental resources and reports

The task force specifically recommended DPS participation in student orientation. The Chief of Police and other officers participate in all student orientations (18 sessions in 2023), covering  a range of topics from DPS services and organizational structure to safety measures, including response to  hate bias incidents. DPS also participates actively in parent orientations (30 sessions in 2023).

16

Review Department of Public Safety modes of notifying campus and community members about on- and off-campus incidents

Responsible University Partner

  • Division of Administration

Action Status

Completed

Review Department of Public Safety modes of notifying campus and community members about on- and off-campus incidents

DPS reviewed procedures for notifying the community about incidents. All-clear alerts now include more detailed summaries. Subsequent developments after the all-clear are posted to the DPS website.

17

Review the number of blue light cameras and off-campus lighting

Responsible University Partner

  • Division of Administration

Action Status

In Progress

Review the number of blue light cameras and off-campus lighting

DPS is conducting a review of blue light camera and off-campus lighting to identify gaps and recommend corrective actions.

18

Publicly report contracts and other agreements UMD has with Prince George’s County and other police departments

Responsible University Partner

  • Division of Administration

Action Status

Completed

Publicly report contracts and other agreements UMD has with Prince George’s County and other police departments

Current agreements with other police departments are posted on the DPS website.

19

Create a program to bolster communication and knowledge between the Department of Public Safety and the campus community, explore opportunities for this to be a for-credit program

Responsible University Partner

  • Division of Administration

Action Status

In Progress

Create a program to bolster communication and knowledge between the Department of Public Safety and the campus community, explore opportunities for this to be a for-credit program

DPS launched a non-credit citizens' police academy in Fall 2023. A new for-credit class is being planned for Spring 2024 in the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences (BSOS).

20

Consider developing contracts for temporary assignments for officers with outside agencies to promote professional development

Responsible University Partner

  • Division of Administration

Action Status

Sustained Commitment

Consider developing contracts for temporary assignments for officers with outside agencies to promote professional development

DPS participates in professional development opportunities offered by federal agencies, Maryland State Police and other entities, including the Maryland Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (MDICAC) with the Maryland State Police; FBI Cross Border Task Force-Safe Streets; Metropolitan Area Drug Task Force (MADTF); and United States Secret Service National Capital Region Cyber Fraud Task Force (NCRCFTF). 

21

Implement a policy for uniform business cards for all Department of Public Safety personnel to include resources for registering complaints or compliments

Responsible University Partner

  • Division of Administration

Action Status

Completed

Implement a policy for uniform business cards for all Department of Public Safety personnel to include resources for registering complaints or compliments

New business cards are being issued with an updated design and the new mission statement (see Task Force Recommendation #8). The cards include identifiable information about the officer and contact information for complaints, compliments, and employment opportunities.

Campus Safety Advisory Council

The Campus Safety Advisory Council advises university leadership on matters related to implementing recommendations of the Report of the Task Force on Public Safety and Community Policing, as outlined by President Pines on March 17, 2022

Responsible University Partner

  • Co-Chairs: Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer; Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion

Action Status

Sustained Commitment

The Campus Safety Advisory Council advises university leadership on matters related to implementing recommendations of the Report of the Task Force on Public Safety and Community Policing, as outlined by President Pines on March 17, 2022

After its December 2022 kickoff, the council convened again in February and April 2023. It plans to meet at least once each semester.

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