Updated July 3, 2008
Recent News and Updates
West Nile virus reminder issued from Larimer County.
Guidelines for response to shooting violence on campus - Guidelines for the campus community have been developed based on the best practices established by CSUPD and other law enforcement experts.
Department of Public Safety
Colorado State University has moved to develop a more coordinated infrastructure for addressing campus safety issues with the creation of a new umbrella unit, the Department of Public Safety . As of February 1, 2008, the unit includes the CSU Police Department, Environmental Health Services, Parking Services, the University Special Events Advisory Group, CSU’s Emergency Management Team and Foothills Campus Security.
The Department of Public Safety At a Glance
CSU Emergency Communication Systems
- Rave Alert, text-based messaging system - Text alerts can be sent to CSU community members notifying them of an emergency, quickly. [more information]
- Reverse 911 - This allows us to call all or specific land-based phones in a targeted area.
- CSU Emergency Telephone Network - This allows us to make a conference call to areas on campus to alert people to an emergency.
- Email - We can notify thousands of people quickly.
- Emergency Broadcast System - We can interrupt cable and broadcast stations with an emergency notification.
- CSU Police 911 Center - All calls, including cellular emergencies are dispatched from our center.
CSU Security
- Colorado State University houses a fully-functional law enforcement agency with multiple, highly trained officers.
- Colorado State University Police officers routinely patrol all buildings on campus 24-hours a day by foot, bicycle, motorcycle and car.
- Campus comprises about one square mile (not including the Foothills Campus and Veterinary Teaching Hospital). This area is patrolled by multiple armed police officers at any given time, 24-hours a day.
- Most universities do not allow officers into student housing unless specifically responding to a call. However, Colorado State University officers routinely patrol inside resident halls for security.
- All 911 calls generated on campus are responded to by CSUPD. These calls go directly to the CSU Police 911 Center.
- CSUPD has a maximum 2-4 minute response time -- anywhere on campus.
- CSUPD works cooperatively with Fort Collins Police Services and Larimer County Sheriff's Department. This includes a mutual aid agreement, to back each other up.
- The CSUPD has a Patrol Division with officers on foot and in squad cars. In addition, the department has an Investigations Division with plain clothes detectives, as well as a K-9 unit.
- Foothills campus, which is also patrolled by CSUPD officers, receives additional security from trained security officers through our federal government partners.
Active Shooter Response
- CSUPD employs a full-time Background Investigator to do background checks on new employees.
- While CSUPD can not prevent people from traveling on and off of campus, officers are vigilant and have several programs in place to encourage campus participation in security.
- CSUPD officers are trained for attacks such as the ones at Virginia Tech and Northern Illinois University and have procedures in place for that type of situation.
- Plain clothes detectives routinely deal with faculty, staff and students across campus to keep abreast of unusual circumstances and reporting online, including anonymous reporting. CSUPD officers receive specialized training for active shooter situations.
- CSU has an advantage over other universities because the CSUPD has officers on motorcycles and bicycles, which allows them to get across campus quickly and into areas where vehicles may not easily reach.
- When shootings occur on other college campuses, the CSU Police Department has a policy in place that dictates a security response. However, the CSUPD does not share the policy for security reasons.
- CSUPD sponsors an annual Citizens Academy to create a closer partnership with faculty, staff and students in reporting suspicious activity and crimes; encouraging all on campus to take an active role in campus security.
- Resident Hall staff is alerted to imminent situations. This allows them to provide counseling and support to students who are upset, but also alerts them to be aware of suspicious behavior.
Security in Residence Halls and University Apartments
- Three layers of security exist in the residence halls:
- The lobby area is staffed 24 hours a day.
- Lobbies and common areas are open during dining center hours and then accessible only by residents of the building after hours via keycard access.
- Floors and rooms are only accessible by residents with keycard access. All common bathrooms on the floors are also secured.
- All residence hall staff are trained on emergency response and have knowledge of evacuation and safety protocol in the event of an emergency.
- Housing & Dining Services is part of the Emergency Management Team and takes direction from the Associate Vice President for Public Safety in the event of an emergency.
- In the event of an emergency all lobby doors and common areas can be locked down to permit access to residents of the building only. The option of locking buildings down entirely to prevent any access into the building is also available.
