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 will meet at least once per semester starting in Fall 2022.
Action Progress
21
Recommendations16
In Progress5
Sustained Commitment/CompletedGeneral 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
Division of Student Affairs working to secure a contract for first responders; twenty-one DPS officers have been certified in advanced mental health training.
02
Establish equitable, transparent and explicit policy, practices and guidelines regarding security at campus events
Responsible University Partner
- Division of Administration
Action Status
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
DPS and Division of Student Affairs will establish an MOU, and have initiated actions to advance this aim. Stakeholder leaders meet regularly to address shared response to student mental health needs. DPS and Resident Life collaborate on police recruit training, specifically on response to common residence hall situations. This shared learning has been applied in real-world incidents.
04
Enhance and more fully implement existing community policing programs
Responsible University Partner
- Division of Administration
Action Status
A plan will be developed to enhance and expand existing community policing programs. DPS has already increased informal interactions with campus community, including Coffee with a Cop, engagement at SGA and RHA meetings, use of Teddy the comfort dog, and participation in a wide range of campus events.
05
Continue Department of Public Safety meetings with its student advisory committee on a regular basis
Responsible University Partner
- Division of Administration
Action Status
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
Maryland Police Training Commission requires this training for annual officer certification. Training has been completed for 2022.
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
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
Developing a revised mission statement.
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
Annual training is required for all officers to maintain certification. Training has been completed for 2022.
10
Continue to require mental health screenings for all police officers prior to hiring
Responsible University Partner
- Division of Administration
Action Status
This is an ongoing practice required by law; DPS remains in compliance.
11
Continue training Department of Public Safety personnel on appropriate defensive tactics
Responsible University Partner
- Division of Administration
Action Status
Officers complete regular training on these issues. Maryland Police Training Commission (MPTC) training requires 18 hours annually; DPS meets or exceeds all requirements. Training has been completed for 2022. 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
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
DPS established a taser pilot program in August 2022, and has increased the use of non-sworn officers for routine patrols.
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
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
Reviewing DPS procedures for sharing resources and reports; planned website redesign will update and enhance communication of this information.
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
Reviewing DPS procedures for notifying the community about incidents; planned website redesign will update and enhance communication of information about incidents.
17
Review the number of blue light cameras and off-campus lighting
Responsible University Partner
- Division of Administration
Action Status
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
DPS is planning a website redesign which will include posting of agreements with other police departments.
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
DPS is exploring possible options, including a class for student police aides, a citizens' police academy, and a for-credit class.
20
Consider developing contracts for temporary assignments for officers with outside agencies to promote professional development
Responsible University Partner
- Division of Administration
Action Status
DPS will continue to take advantage of all available professional development opportunities offered by federal agencies, Maryland State Police and other entities.
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
Business cards with an updated design will be issued when the new mission statement is finalized. Current business cards include this information.
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
The council held its first meeting December 5, 2022 and plans to meet at least once each semester.