Reports on DSS/University Police
Northwestern has committed to a broad series of actions in pursuit of racial and social justice, including conducting an external review of University Police (UP). The results from the review were publicly released in March 2021.
The University has an explicit responsibility to ensure the safety and well-being of all members of our community. Together, we can reimagine campus safety in the most equitable way possible. We pledge to engage our students, faculty, and staff in this process of listening, learning, and acting.
Department of Safety and Security Overview
This report gathers information about University Police and shares safety statistics covering the Evanston and Chicago campuses in a renewed effort to increase transparency and partnership.
- Section 1: Safety and Security and the Role of University Police – This overview describes the Department of Safety and Security (DSS), an umbrella unit responsible for police, security systems, emergency management, and transportation and parking. It provides additional information on the responsibilities of UP in particular.
- Section 2: Campus Safety at Northwestern – The second section delineates the range of incidents UP responds to, from helping someone jumpstart their car to occasional but very serious threats to our campus safety, such as shootings and robberies involving firearms.
- Section 3: Staffing and Partnerships – This section includes the UP staffing model and required officer training. It also outlines UP’s partnerships with other Northwestern offices and with external organizations to address safety more holistically.
- Section 4: Financial Support for Safety – The final portion provides details and trends of both UP spending and staffing levels over time.
While this information illuminates the details of police operations, this is only part of the process. Our work to ensure the safety of everyone at Northwestern continues to evolve and must bring a multitude of stakeholders into the process.