TSUPD is continuing to hire police officers and other personnel to carry out the mission of the department to serve and protect. The department is hiring additional communication workers as dispatchers and video surveillance personnel to operate and monitor new equipment scheduled to arrive in April.
The University has enhanced the Security Program with the addition of a private contractor and the expansion of the Parking Services Unit. TSUPD will phase out the Security Guard Program to Allied Barton Security. Additional personnel have been hired to address the increased responsibilities of the Parking Services Unit. The TSU Parking Unit will provide coverage for all of the guard booths during the day shift, 6:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. The Parking Unit will also take over coverage at the Avon Williams Campus.
We continue our partnership with Metro Nashville Police to provide increased patrols on campus.
The opening of a new TSU Police satellite office in the Floyd Payne Campus Center, near the courtyard area
TSUPD opened the satellite office on November 1, 2015. This location is fully operational and staffs three officers to patrol the Student Center, Courtyard, and its perimeters.
Strict enforcement of the TSU ID policy
The University will continue to strictly enforce TSU’s ID policy, which requires students, faculty, and staff to wear their campus-issued ID at all times. IDs must be worn visibly and not contained in a pocket, book bag, or handbag.
Fines will be imposed for individuals not wearing IDs. (The first time there will be a warning or referral. The second time is a $25 fine, and the third time is a $50 fine).
Visitors/Guests include all persons that are not faculty, staff, students not currently enrolled in courses at Tennessee State University. In general, visitors can obtain one (1) day visitor badge from the following location: Campus Police (Headquarters, Queen Washington Building); Events and Conference Services (Jane Elliott Hall); Information Desk (Floyd-Payne Campus Center); One Stop Center (Kean Hall); and Parking Services (Hankal Hall, 1st Floor). You will be required to present one of the following forms of government-issued photo identification in order to obtain your visitor badge: Passport (USA or International), Driver’s License (USA only), State Issued (Non-driver) ID, US Military ID, INS ID (Green Card). In general, visitors will receive a badge that will be valid for a designated time of access to the campus. If a visitor requires extended access to the campus, an authorized university official should e-mail a completed ID/Access Request Form to the ID/Access Center idcenter@tnstate.edu prior to sending the individual to the ID/Access Center. The same policy applies to parking. Students and employees must show a campus-issued decal and ID to come on campus. Special IDs and parking passes will be issued to campus visitors.
The incorporation of a tip hotline, through our Red Flag System, that will allow individuals to report information anonymously
Users may access the Red Flag System on the University’s homepage by clicking on the red flag icon located at the bottom of the page. The University also has a mobile TSU Safety App which can be downloaded to cellular phones at no cost.
Offer cash awards to students as a part of our See Something Say Something campaign
This initiative encourages students to report suspicious activity to the TSUPD.
The initiation of a Student Safety Patrol staffed by volunteers from student organizations—which include fraternities, sororities, service organizations, and other related campus groups—to accompany individuals across campus
The TSU Student Safety Patrol began with its first volunteers taking their oath to serve on November 17, 2015. The program consists of uniformed volunteers that are strategically located across the campus for added patrol and provide assistance to students when requested. Recruitment is on-going.
More frequent health and safety room inspections in campus housing
Enhanced surveillance on campus, including cameras and lighting will continue
Increased access control on campus through proximity readers
Facility Management is currently in the process of installing access control on entrance doors for the Indoor Practice Facility and the Dairy Barn. We began this initiative with our classrooms and expanded the program to include the Floyd Payne Campus Center earlier this year. Other campus buildings will come on-line throughout the year.
The University has installed new traffic control gates with call boxes incorporated into the gate controller which has a direct connection to TSUPD. These new traffic gates are located at the John Merritt Lot, the Ford Apartment Complex entrance, and Humphrey Lot. We will begin installing new traffic gates this month in the Engineering lot, the lot behind the Powerhouse, and the new gate planned for John L. Driver Street between the Powerhouse and Holland Hall. All upcoming traffic gates will have call boxes as well, with the same connection to TSUPD.
The completion of Phase II of the fence project on TSU’s campus
Installation of fencing and gates along the west side of campus is 70 percent complete. Installation of the fence gates and traffic control gates will be completed in May.
Phase I was completed in January 2015 that enclosed residence halls facing 33rd Avenue.
Increased visibility of the TSU police force