Campus Safety
The Consortium serves as a central resource for coordination of public safety and emergency response efforts across member institutions. To maintain public safety standards and accomplish related goals, Consortium representatives meet regularly with public safety and emergency management and preparedness leadership across the region, and in many cases advocate for member interests.
Emergency Management
The Consortium is a consistent support for emergency management in D.C. area communities. Through the Consortium’s advocacy, emergency management personnel meet regularly to coordinate efforts and share their most effective practices for community safety. The Consortium also provides a structured interface with various jurisdictions, including regional FEMA and Homeland Security coordination groups. With a wide network of emergency management resources, including a highly developed email listserv, the Consortium enables immediate access to updates on potential threats, including those posed by weather, health emergencies, cyber security, or civic unrest, and provides a platform for discussing collaborative responses to such issues.
The Campus Public Safety Institute
Established to train and certify law enforcement personnel within D.C. area campuses, the Campus Public Safety Institute offers state-of-the-art law enforcement techniques, laws, and procedures to all individuals who participate. CPSI specializes in law enforcement in educational settings, offering forefront models of community policing to foster collaboration, equality, and an individual-centered focus. This evidence-based approach to law enforcement empowers officers to build trust and relationships within their communities as they prevent crime.
CPSI is designed to provide high-caliber instruction by drawing on the resources of the Consortium member institutions and experts from the region’s police departments. These departments include nationally recognized programs, such as Georgetown Law’s Active Bystander for Law Enforcement (ABLE) Project, and the new Police Reform graduate certificate at Marymount University. With these resources, CPSI successfully trains the next generation of law enforcement personnel.
CPSI Course Curriculum
University Special Police Officers are required by the District of Columbia to complete 250 hours of training through the Campus Public Safety Institute or an equivalent law enforcement police academy within two (2) years of receiving a campus or university special police officer commission.
The basic course of instruction offered by CPSI is designed to provide the skills, knowledge, and abilities necessary for university special police officers to perform their duties and responsibilities in a highly professional manner at their respective institutions in the District of Columbia.
The current basic course offers over 360 hours of training integrating the principles of private and public policing including 21st Century law enforcement techniques, local and federal laws, policies and procedures, community policing, and customer service skills as well as officer safety and wellness orientation adapted to the academic community. This approach to law enforcement training empowers and equips university special police officers with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to confront the challenges of working in a 21st Century academic environment while providing a high level of professionalism and dedication to their respective institutions.
Specific training modules include:
Trauma-Informed Care Interviewing for Law Enforcement Officers – The course provides an overview for campus law enforcement officers on the realities of trauma experienced by survivors of sexual assault and other crimes, the impact of trauma on a victim, and the preliminary investigative strategies for the law enforcement response. Students are exposed to the definition of trauma and trauma-informed care, the types of trauma, expectations versus reality, common trauma responses, and how trauma impacts marginalized communities.
Fair and Impartial Policing – This course of instruction informs campus law enforcement officers of the legal and moral issues surrounding biased-based policing and practices. Students will understand the importance of evaluating discretionary practices and the application of non-bias policing.
Sexual Abuse Preliminary Investigations – Campus law enforcement officers familiarize themselves with Title 22 Chapter 30 of the District of Columbia Official Code. Officers receive instruction on the steps to take when responding to and conducting a preliminary investigation into related offenses. They learn about the role of their agency’s investigative efforts and the role of the Metropolitan Police Department Sexual Assaults Unit.
Interactions with the Special Needs Communities – This course covers a variety of circumstances and situations designed to help members of the community who are homeless or are challenged with physical, intellectual, or developmental disabilities. This course exposes campus law enforcement officers to the realities and needs of the members of the special needs communities and how empathy and understanding, along with a broad base of knowledge of available community resources can be used to help members of these communities.
Critical Issues in Policing Series – This series is designed to expose campus law enforcement officers to a variety of current issues that are emerging in society and could have an impact on their respective campuses. Issues such as the challenges presented by dangerous drugs such as Fentanyl and other opioids, and the efforts to adopt lifesaving measures such as the use of Naloxone (Narcan), by first responders is among the topics being discussed by campus law enforcement officers. New and emerging technologies such as Body-Worn Cameras (BWC), and Facial Recognition Software, and the pros and cons of outfitting campus law enforcement officers with such technology are also a part of the ongoing Critical Issues in Policing Series.
CPSI Class Session 2023-01 – Class Profile Highlights
- Number of graduating officers: Twelve (12) – (Eight (8) University Police Officers, and four (4) Smithsonian Institution comprise the class.
- Representing institutions: Five (5) universities in DC, (American University, Catholic University of America, Georgetown Law Center, Howard University, University of the District of Columbia, and the Smithsonian Institution are represented)
- Unique class feature: They have collectively earned over 200 certifications in this course.
- Age range: Early 20’s to mid 40’s and spans Generation(s) X, Y, and Z.
- Educational range: High school and college graduates.
- Experience: The class includes several veterans of our military forces. Several officers have also served in municipal, and federal law enforcement agencies and correctional systems.
- Class strengths: “Works well together”; “Cohesive”; “Committed to service and helping others”; “Has a yearning to be included and in the loop”; “Willing to build bridges and be the new face in their chosen profession”.
Become Involved
Individuals who wish to benefit from CPSI’s law enforcement training should contact CPSI member organizations through whom they can apply.
Any non-member organization that wishes to become involved with CPSI should contact Lee James, Director, Public Safety Programs at cpsi@consortium.org