Operations

School Resource Officer

The Florida Atlantic Police Department’s School Resource Officer (SRO) Program places law enforcement officers in schools with the goal of creating and maintaining safe, secure, and orderly learning environments for students, teachers and staff. Alexander D. Henderson University School and FAU High School are a combined public school district functioning as a laboratory school located on the campus of Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida. There are approximately 950 students in grades K-12 that attend.

The Florida Atlantic Police Department’s SRO Program currently places full-time officers in the schools to work closely with educators to develop plans to prevent or reduce dangerous situations in our schools by the facilitation of campus safety, security technology and the Violence Intervention Techniques and Language (VITAL) Program. The Vital Program is an initiative of the School District of Palm Beach County Police Department to train staff members in control procedures and defensive strategies to help promote and ensure a safe school environment. Our SROs are assigned to a school on a long-term basis and are trained to perform three major roles: law enforcement officer, law-related counselor, and law-related educator. The Florida Atlantic Police Department’s SROs serve as role models with good communication skills to convey the correct messages to our young people.

K-9 Unit

The Florida Atlantic Police Department employs a K-9 team specializing in explosive detection, firearm detection, apprehension, and therapy in response to the need for heightened security at many special events held on the university campus. Additionally, our K-9 team is available to assist local law enforcement with specialized operations upon request.

Training

The Florida Atlantic Police Department strives to achieve professional accountability at the highest level. We strive to be the model University Police Department in the State of Florida and as such we are currently pursuing accreditation through the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA).

This section is responsible for:

• Maintaining and controlling all critical need training mandated by the state and local law enforcement entities.
• Maintaining all training documents and certifications in the Power Document Management System (PowerDMS) and ATMS.
• Maintaining all uniform, supplies and equipment to include fleet and emergency operations.
• The Department’s voluntary accreditation through the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators.
• Coordinates and compiles data using the Performance Measures matrix for Command Staff meetings.
• Maintains and updates Departmental policies.
• Ensures Departmental compliance with Clery requirements and publishes the Annual Security Report (ASR).
• Maintains all official reports and documents pertaining to police matters on all campuses.
• Submits required reports for UCR.
• Submits required reports to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE).

Investigations

The Florida Atlantic Police Department’s Bureau of Investigations is staffed by sworn and non-sworn personnel. It is commanded by a Captain and is comprised of Detectives, a Mental Health Clinician, a Crime Analyst, Cyber Analysts, and an Evidence Custodian. The Bureau is responsible for conducting criminal investigations, special investigations, internal affairs and citizen complaints, crime/threat analysis, pre-employment background checks for the police department, and evidence and property storage.

Motorcycle Unit

The Motorcycle Unit has a focus of traffic enforcement but more importantly, promotes driver safety education by attending various University events that are held throughout the year. Motorcycle Officers are required to possess certifications and receive extensive training in addition to standard law enforcement training requirements. Officers qualified for the Motorcycle Unit are required to attend and successfully pass a four-week motorcycle training program prior to assignment to the Motorcycle Unit. After completion of the training program, Motorcycle Officers are required to attend follow-up training to maintain proficiency.

Community Service Officer Program

The Boca Raton Campus of Florida Atlantic University is staffed with non-sworn, part time Community Service Officers (CSOs). These personnel supplement the Department’s patrol function by responding to security related calls for service and to maintain a high visibility while on security patrol of parking lots and buildings. For example, battery boosts, vehicle lockouts and residence halls patrols are conducted by Community Service Officers. This program is composed of all student employees. Students gain invaluable experience in this stepping stone program to a career in law enforcement. The CSOs are being mentored and molded into future criminal justice career minded citizens. Involving them in the process of crime prevention and community affairs meetings will increase their investment in this Department and the University as a whole.

For more information about the CSO Program, email: faupd_cso@fau.edu.

CSO Program

The Boca Raton Campus of Florida Atlantic University is staffed with fifteen non-sworn, part time Community Service Officers (CSOs). These personnel supplement the Department’s patrol function by responding to security related calls for service and to maintain a high visibility while on security patrol of parking lots and buildings. For example, battery boosts, vehicle lockouts and residence halls patrols are conducted by Community Service Officers. This program is composed of all student employees and is currently overseen by a civilian supervisor who reports to the Deputy Chief of Police. Students gain invaluable experience in this stepping stone program to a career in law enforcement. The CSOs must be mentored and molded into future criminal justice career minded citizens. Involving them in the process of crime prevention and community affairs meetings will increase their investment in this Department and the University as a whole.

In September of 2014, the Florida Atlantic University Police Department and Housing and Residential Education created a partnership to provide a visible presence within the residential halls. As a result, the CSO Program was expanded to facilitate this need. Community Services Officers now provide a presence at each of the following residential halls on the Boca Raton Campus: Glades Park Towers, Indian River Towers, Heritage Park Towers, Algonquin, Parliament Hall, University Village Apartments and Innovations Village Apartments North and South. These areas are divided into three zones to ensure that all areas are covered with no lapses in coverage.

For more information about the CSO Program, send an email to faupd_cso@fau.edu.

Crime Prevention

The Florida Atlantic Police Department's principle is that we would much rather prevent crimes from occurring than react to them after the fact. A primary vehicle for accomplishing this goal is the University's comprehensive crime prevention program. The Crime Prevention Programs of the Florida Atlantic Police Department are based upon the dual concepts of eliminating or minimizing criminal opportunities whenever possible, and encouraging students and employees to be responsible for their own security and the security of others.

This component is also responsible for going to local police academies and the college of criminal justice as well as career fairs to recruit potential suitors for law enforcement positions. We have actively engaged with our very own students and have hired several FAU students that have now become police officers with our agency as well as those who have moved on to other local, state and federal agencies.

Part of the responsibilities as a crime prevention officer is to present various topics to educate the public. We are available to speak to your group or organization at a time and location of your choosing. Topics that can be presented include but are not limited to: alcohol awareness, drug awareness, theft prevention, general duties of the police, personal safety, and dating/domestic violence.

If you or your group is interested in having a Florida Atlantic Police Officer speak to you or your organization, please email: cdremann@fau.edu.

Our Communities

Boca Raton Campus Operations

The Boca Raton Campus of Florida Atlantic University is staffed with over 40 sworn law enforcement officers who are dedicated to maintaining a positive educational environment for the university community.

Road patrol is the most visible presence of the Florida Atlantic Police Department and operates with a proactive problem solving philosophy. Our officers are out in the community with their main focus on developing community partnership. This partnership leads to greater crime prevention efforts and assists us in determining community needs. Crime analysis and police officer guidance is used to confront current and anticipated criminal activity. Officers provide response to crimes in progress, calls for service, engage in traffic enforcement activities, investigate traffic crashes and conduct criminal investigations. Many of our officers hold advanced or specialized certifications.

Road patrol makes use of marked police vehicles along with golf carts and walking patrols to effectively ensure safety and security for all students, faculty, staff, and visitors of the University. Officers enforce traffic laws, investigate and report criminal activity and assist crime prevention in keeping Florida Atlantic one of the state's safest Universities.

The Police Bicycle Unit consists of police officers on police package bicycles equipped to perform both emergency and non-emergency responses throughout the entire University campus. The unit provides detailed patrol through parking lots, residence halls, student apartments and inner campus and field areas where cars are not able to gain access.

The Police Motor Unit consists of police officers on police package motorcycles. Because of their mobility, motorcycles are a valuable asset for traffic enforcement, traffic safety, and providing emergency response through congested traffic. In addition, motorcycles are highly mobile, fuel efficient and reduce the budgetary costs associated with operating the patrol fleet. The motorcycle officers perform many functions for the Department and the University community. As with most police motorcycle units, traffic and parking enforcement on campus is the primary function of this specialized unit. Officers also provide security throughout the campus and patrol in areas to monitor and provide safety and security information to bicyclists and pedestrians in high traffic areas.

On the Boca Raton Campus, we utilize the support of Boca Raton Police Department's services if necessary.

MacArthur Campus Operations

The MacArthur Campus, located in Jupiter, Florida, is staffed with sworn law enforcement officers. The campus is commanded by a lieutenant who is supported by a sergeant and police officers. The campus is patrolled 24/7 and is supported by the Jupiter Police Department. There are no non-sworn support staff on the MacArthur Campus; however, there is a residential hall that houses approximately 300 students. Within the resident halls, there are eight efficiency apartments that are rented to visiting professors, intern students, and others from the community.

Located on the John D. MacArthur Campus is Scripps Florida and Max Planck (two of the world’s premier research institutions). Like the Boca Raton Campus, the MacArthur campus has the Lifelong Learning Society which is located in the Maltz Center for Education.

The MacArthur campus is smaller in size than the Boca Raton Campus with few roads; so much of the patrolling is done on foot.

Harbor Branch Campus Operations

The Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute (HBOI) Campus is staffed by nine full time employees. There are two sworn personnel, a lieutenant and a police officer, a non-sworn PSA supervisor and six non-sworn Police Service Aides (PSAs) who provide 24/7 coverage of the campus.

The Harbor Branch Campus is located in St. Lucie County on the eastern shore and is considered a Homeland Security point of entry. The United States Coast Guard along with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission work in conjunction with our staff to conduct inspections as well as maintain a secure environment for research being conducted on the campus.

Broward Campus Operations

The FAU Broward Campus consists of three locations, serving more than 5,000 students; The Davie Campus which is located in the center of Broward County and paired with the Broward College Central Campus in the city of Davie, the SeaTech Campus which is located in Dania Beach and serves Graduate and PhD students in the Department of Ocean & Mechanical Engineering, and the Ft. Lauderdale campus which is the School of Architecture.

FAU Broward is staffed with ten non-sworn Police Service Aides (PSAs) including a PSA supervisor and three sworn police officers; all commanded by a sworn Police Captain.

The PSAs work eight-hour shifts to provide 24/7 coverage at the Davie & SeaTech campuses. PSAs strategically patrol the building and parking lot of the Ft. Lauderdale campus to conduct parking enforcement and campus security is provided by Broward College Security.

The duties of the PSAs and police officers are to provide assistance to the students, faculty, staff, and visitors while on campus. They also assist with traffic control and enforcement, responding to incidents, and patroling the campus to provide a visible presence for crime deterrence and to help encourage a safe environment. The PSAs assist the Davie Campus Student Government with their Night Owls Program providing escorts to and from buildings. Additional PSA duties include battery boosts and vehicle lockouts.

On the Davie campus, we are partnered with the Davie Police Department which has officers assigned as School Resource Officers to Broward College. On the Ft. Lauderdale Campus, we are partnered with the Ft. Lauderdale Police Department which has an officer stationed on the campus. On the SeaTech Campus in Dania Beach, we are partnered with Broward Sheriff’s Office.

Special Events

Special Event Requests

The Florida Atlantic University Police Department provides police and public safety services for special events on all FAU campuses. These events are defined as planned special occurrences that are approved by the university and are not considered part of the daily operation of the institution.

Any group, club, individual, or entity requiring police services can request them by completing the FAU Police Special Events Request Form at least five days prior to the event. Requests submitted within this five-day window may still be considered; however, the scheduling of police services cannot be guaranteed.

Once the form is received, a member of the special events team will contact you to confirm the request. If you would like to discuss your event in more detail or have specific needs, please refer to the special event contacts listed further below.

Police staffing for special events at FAU is coordinated through Extra Duty Solutions, a third-party service that partners with law enforcement agencies to manage the scheduling and administration of extra-duty assignments. This partnership helps ensure timely, reliable, and professional service for every event.

The FAU Police Department may recommend the cancellation of any event if adequate safety and security preparations are not made to protect attendees, students, faculty, and staff.

To request a detail officer please complete the application here.

Special Events Contacts

• Captain Chelsea Friedlander – cfriedlander@fau.edu
• Sergeant Gael Gassant – jgassant2012@fau.edu

Special Event Staffing

We are frequently asked how we determine the appropriate level of staffing for events on campus. While every event is different, there are a variety of considerations that go into determining the level of staffing for each event. The following list is a general guideline of what is considered for the majority of special events on campus. Each event will be evaluated, and the minimum amount of sworn police personnel will be assigned to accomplish the security/law enforcement goal for the event. While the FAUPD Special Events Section works closely with all campus organizations to provide a safe environment for special events, the final decision on all event security measures and police staffing levels is the responsibility of the Chief of Police.

Event History – FAUPD will examine past event history to ascertain if the event ran smoothly or had any security problems. Events with a history of problems may warrant a higher level of security coverage.

Attendance – The estimated attendance for an event is used to determine the level of staffing that will be provided for the event.

Impact on the university and/or surrounding community – In order to control any adverse impact (crowd management issues, traffic control, etc.), staffing and physical security measures may be increased.

Alcohol – Alcoholic beverages will only be allowed at events when properly licensed, dispensed, and controlled in accordance with Florida law and University regulations.

High-profile speakers or subject matter - Celebrities, controversial speakers, and some politicians may require “dignitary protection” measures. Similarly, events that have controversial or highly charged subject matter may warrant special security consideration.

Communications

The Police Communications Section is staffed and operational 24/7, with full-time, non-sworn Police Communications Officers. The Communications Section is responsible for processing both emergency and non-emergency calls for service on the Boca Raton campus, as well as handling non-emergency requests for the Jupiter, Harbor Branch, and Davie campuses.

A Police Communications Officer (PCO) is required to complete training and be certified by the State of Florida Department of Health (DOH) in order to serve as an E911 Public Safety Telecommunicator.

The Communications Section monitors the blue light emergency phones system.

Additionally, PCOs monitor a camera network system that spans across the Boca Raton and partner campuses. They monitor high-risk areas during incidents to assist officers, report suspicious activity for investigation, and help identify necessary camera repairs by notifying the appropriate personnel.