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
21
Recommendations10
In Progress11
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
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).
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 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
A plan is being developed to enhance and expand existing community policing programs. A recent example is the Lights On! program that DPS launched. This program enables officers to issue $250 repair vouchers – instead of tickets – to drivers who are pulled over for broken headlights, taillights, brake lights or turn signals.
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 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
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
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
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
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
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
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 which is ongoing. DPS continues to increase 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. DPS provides briefings at new student orientation.
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
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
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
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
DPS is launching 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
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
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
After its December 2022 kickoff, the council convened again in February and April 2023. It plans to meet at least once each semester.