Rutgers University Police Department: Ensuring Safety and Security on Campus
The Rutgers University Police Department (RUPD) plays a crucial role in maintaining law and order across the university's diverse campuses. As a fully empowered law enforcement entity with statewide jurisdiction, RUPD is responsible for the safety and security of students, faculty, staff, and visitors on the New Brunswick, Newark, and Camden campuses.
Organizational Structure and Oversight
RUPD operates as a department within the university's Division of Administration and Public Safety. This division falls under the umbrella of Rutgers Institutional Planning and Operations (IP&O), which also oversees Rutgers University Emergency Services (RUES). This integrated structure allows for seamless coordination between law enforcement, emergency medical services, and emergency management on campus. RUES is responsible for responding to fire and hazardous materials emergencies in coordination with local first responders.
The RUPD staff comprises a diverse team of professionals, including:
- Fully trained, commissioned, and armed Police Officers: These officers are the primary law enforcement personnel, responsible for patrolling the campuses, responding to calls for service, conducting investigations, and enforcing the law.
- Security Officers: Security Officers support the Police Officers in maintaining safety and security on campus.
- 911 Dispatchers: These professionals are the critical link between the community and emergency services, answering emergency calls and dispatching the appropriate resources.
- Student Community Service Officers (CSOs): CSOs are part-time student employees who assist with various safety and security functions.
Community Service Officers: A Student-Run Support System
RUPD employs part-time community service officers. CSOs are required to be full-time students at Rutgers University and are assigned to either the Newark or New Brunswick division. CSOs report directly to RUPD Security Services, as well as have their own internal ranking hierarchy. A Security Lieutenant oversees each campus division. CSOs effectively function as Security Officers and are non-sworn, unarmed employees of RUPD and Rutgers University. CSOs provide a valuable service to the university community by performing a variety of tasks, including:
- Stadium traffic control
- Bag checks
- Foot patrols
- Mounted patrols
- Vehicle patrols
- Operation of the Knight Mover shuttle
- Event security
A smaller, separate program for Rutgers University Emergency Services (RUES) is also offered to students, allowing full-time students to become part-time Emergency Service Officers (ESO).
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Jurisdiction and Collaboration
RUPD holds full law enforcement powers under state law, granting it statewide jurisdiction. However, this jurisdiction is shared with local police departments, such as the New Brunswick Police Dept and the Middlesex County Sheriff's Office, and the New Jersey State Police. This shared jurisdiction requires close collaboration and coordination between RUPD and these other agencies to ensure effective law enforcement and public safety. Rutgers Police and the New Brunswick Police Department have overlapping jurisdiction which has been known to cause issues.
Notable Incidents and Challenges
RUPD has been involved in responding to various incidents on campus, including the riot that occurred at the annual Delafest celebration on April 13, 2013. In this instance, Rutgers Police worked alongside officers from the New Brunswick Police Department to quell the disturbance, resulting in several arrests for aggravated assault on police and underage consumption of alcohol.
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