DPS News

2018 Emergency Drill

On Tuesday, July 31, the Syracuse University Department of Public Safety (DPS), Fire and Life Services (FLSS), and Syracuse University Ambulance (SUA), teamed up with the Syracuse Fire Department for a fire drill at the Biological Research Laboratories (BRL) building. 

The mock scenario involved four individuals inside the building where the fire was reported, as well as manikins, which all had to be evacuated.

DPS and FLSS officers arrived at BRL and quickly determined which floors had smoke conditions and provided that information to the Syracuse Fire Department, who was en route.

Upon arrival, the Syracuse Fire Department, sent a team inside to perform a search and used their bucket truck to assist with reaching the high floors to put out the mock fire.

Once the drill was complete, the Chiefs held a mock press conference with students from Newhouse as part of an assignment for their class.

2018 Peace Officer Academy Graduation

On Friday, July 13, the Department of Public Safety held the 2018 Campus Peace Officer Academy Graduation at Drumlins in Syracuse. Colleagues, friends, and family joined the seven graduates as they completed the program by receiving their diploma’s.

The graduates included:

Eugenio D. Alvarez
Jonathon B. Bennett
Falasha B. Branch
Joseph V. Dishaw
Joseph P. Hernon
Brad A. Pearson
Liztazia I. Ramirez
Dustin F. White
Jessica L. Zaccari
Marissa A. Ziemba

Special honors went to:

Valedictorian—Falasha B. Branch, Syracuse University Department of Public Safety
Physical Fitness Award—Eugenio D. Alvarez, Syracuse University Department of Public Safety and Marissa A. Ziemba, Onondaga Community College Public Safety
Top Gun Award—Dustin White, Onondaga Community College Public Safety

The graduates are now completing their time as field training officers.

Results of Community Survey on Body Worn Cameras

The Syracuse University Department of Public Safety (DPS) officers have been equipped with Body Worn Cameras (BWCs) since October of 2015. The department’s goal is to establish a model program, utilizing best practices to be shared with other law enforcement partners, and to continue to improve community relations and professional standards within the department.

As part of these efforts and research, the DPS issued a survey to random Syracuse University community members, including students, faculty, and staff, in February of 2018. Several survey questions asked respondents to indicate the extent to which they agreed or disagreed with a series of statements about the BWC program. Questions, asked respondents about improving public and officer safety, trust, and transparency of interactions, and providing valuable evidence. Questions also included respondent comfort levels talking to officers equipped with BWCs in different scenarios including as a victim, witness, being questioned or arrested, and asking officers for general information. Responses were recorded on a 7-point Likert scale ranging from “strongly agree” to “strongly disagree.”

Over 85% of respondents to the survey strongly agree/agree that they support the DPS having BWCs. Additionally; over 80% of respondents strongly agree/agree/somewhat agree that the BWC program improves public and officer safety, trust, and transparency of interactions, and providing valuable evidence.

Over 80% of respondents also strongly agree/agree/somewhat agree that they would feel comfortable talking to officers equipped with BWCs in different scenarios including as a victim, witness, being questioned or arrested, and asking officers for general information; with less than 15% indicating that they would not feel comfortable.

Just under 45% of respondents to the survey were students, with the graduate student population being the highest to respond; with the remainder of respondents being staff and faculty, almost 50% of these respondents were staff.

Overall, there were many comments in the survey supporting the BWC program. To address questions asked in the survey including privacy of recorded information, when people are being recorded, training of officers, operability of cameras, and videos as evidence in court, please refer to the Body Worn Camera Policy.

We would like to thank our community members who participated in the survey, as your feedback is valuable in continuing to establish a model program.

Public Safety Update: Robbery

On Sunday, May 13, 2018, at approximately 11:15 p.m., a student reported, while walking in the 900 block of Comstock Avenue, they were approached by three unknown males. One of the males displayed what appeared to be a grey handgun and demanded the student’s property. The student gave the males their backpack, wallet, and cellphone. The suspects fled the scene on foot northbound on Comstock Avenue, then east on Acorn Path away from campus. No injuries were reported.

If you were in the vicinity at the time of this incident, the Department of Public Safety (DPS) asks for your help in identifying the suspects. All three suspects were described as males in their late teens to early twenties, all wearing dark clothing, including hooded sweatshirts. No further description.

If anyone has any information regarding this incident or others, please contact the Syracuse Police Department at 315.442.5222 or the Syracuse University Department of Public Safety at 315.443.2224. If you would like to anonymously report NON-EMERGENCY information for DPS, you can use the Silent Witness tool.

For your safety, please review these suggested safety strategies.

This public safety information is issued for your safety in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Act.

Public Safety Notice: Robbery

On Sunday, May 13, 2018 at approximately 11:15 p.m., DPS received a report of a robbery that occurred in the 900 block of Comstock Avenue near Oakwood Cemetery. The Syracuse Police Department and the Department of Public Safety are on the scene and investigating this incident. We ask that you stay away from the area, at this time and that you call DPS at 315.443.2224, should you have information regarding this incident. More information to follow.