DPS News

Department of Public Safety Transitions to New Safety App

As part of its ongoing commitment to campus safety, the Department of Public Safety (DPS) is transitioning to Rave Guardian, a free mobile app that turns any smartphone into a personal safety device. Rave Guardian will replace the LiveSafe app, which will no longer be available to Syracuse University users beginning Friday, Feb. 26.

Rave Guardian offers all of the same features that users have grown accustomed to, including reporting tips, having a friend or family member watch them safely walk across campus, quickly connecting with DPS or 911 and important campus links and phone numbers.

To learn more, visit news.syr.edu.

Important Winter Weather Information

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:

Though the spring semester is fast approaching, the weather remains wintry. This is a good time to remind our campus community of how we make decisions—and how you can stay up to date—regarding weather conditions and University operations. In general, we remain open for business even in challenging weather conditions, but we will always prioritize the safety and well-being of our community members when determining operating status.

Any change in the University’s operating status will be announced via the University’s emergency broadcast notification system and will carry the notice SU WEATHER ALERT. Please be sure your Orange Alert settings are always up to date inMySlice.

SU WEATHER ALERT information will be announced via the following communications channels:

Only Syracuse University’s Internal Communications and Media Relations teams are authorized to transmit to the news media and the campus community announcements about closings, work-schedule changes or class-start delays.

Although Syracuse University rarely closes for inclement weather, individuals must make personal decisions based on a risk assessment related to travel. We encourage all employees to take precautions and use good judgment when traveling to/from work. Faculty and staff concerned about their safety should contact their department chair or supervisor, respectively.

Please note: in the event extreme weather results in the closure of our campus, in-person and hybrid classes will be cancelled; online classes will continue as planned.

The University works with an independent weather service, Precision Weather Service, to inform our decisions about weather delays, closings or work-schedule changes. Input is also provided by the Division of Business, Finance and Administrative Services and Academic Affairs.

For information on winter weather preparedness, visit the Department of Public Safety website.

Sincerely,

Tony Callisto
Senior Vice President and Chief Law Enforcement Officer

John Liu
Interim Vice Chancellor and Provost

Firm Selected to Lead Search for Next Chief of Campus Safety and Emergency Services

With the forthcoming retirement of Robert “Bobby” Maldonado, chief of the Department of Public Safety (DPS) for Syracuse University, Amir Rahnamay-Azar, senior vice president of business, finance and administrative services (BFAS) and chief financial officer, has announced both the selection of a national search firm to assist in identifying and recruiting a new chief of campus safety and emergency services, and a leadership restructure that will take effect on July 1, 2021.

Read more at news.syr.edu.

DPS Chief Robert ‘Bobby’ Maldonado to Retire After 40 Years in Law Enforcement

After 40 years in public safety and law enforcement, Robert “Bobby” Maldonado, the University’s Chief of the Department of Public Safety, will retire on Aug. 1. Since joining the University in 2015, Chief Maldonado has led a team of public safety officers, community service officers and residential community safety officers who protect and serve the campus community and surrounding neighborhoods. He is also responsible for fire and life safety, and security and emergency planning, management and response.

To read more about Chief Maldonado’s retirement, visit news.syr.edu.

Internal Affairs/Professional Standards Investigations 2020

For the 2020 calendar year, the Department of Public Safety conducted a total of one (1) internal investigation.

One (1) involved non-sworn personnel.

Of the one (1) complaint investigated, one (1) was sustained.

As a result of these complaints, one (1) non-sworn employee was terminated.

Review of the IA investigations revealed no discernible trends in performance amongst sworn and non-sworn personnel. Retraining has been has been completed at roll calls. A plan to incorporate training during yearly In Service training has been prepared. There were no other trends, policy, or training issues discovered.