Basic Patrol Officer

Education – the business of a University – can only take place in an environment in which each individual feels safe and secure. The Office of Safety and Security seeks to provide a safe working, learning, and living environment for the SPU community and to protect University assents through crime prevention and safety practices.

The Office of Safety and Security (OSS) is a campus security organization which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The office employs full-time staff as dispatchers and security officers. Student employees are employed to provide additional support as dispatchers, parking enforcement and patrol officers. OSS is the first response on campus to all emergencies including providing immediate first aid, investigating criminal incidents, responding to fire alarms, and disaster assistance.

The position of Basic Patrol Officer (BPO) is one that entails great responsibility and reliability by the applicant due to the nature of the duties a student officer must perform. Basic Patrol Officers perform tasks of a public safety nature for the protection of people and property. BPOs support the work of Security Officers in emergencies and major events that can include response to medical, criminal, fire and disaster incidents. BPOs perform regular patrol of the campus both in security vehicles and on foot to secure facilities and report hazards. BPOs respond to alarms such as fire, intrusion or trouble and rapidly report available information from alarm panels. Tjey perform assigned security responsibilities at special events including, but not limited to basketball and soccer games, dances, and homecoming events. They establish and maintain professional contact with University employees, residents and other community members. BPOs provide safety escorts, unlock secured spaces and cars for authorized persons, and respond to other various requests for services. BPOs may be assigned to provide parking enforcement or traffic control. They may also be tasked with providing office support for projects and respond to walk-in customer requests for services. BPOs will utilize multi-frequency radios to communicate with dispatchers and other officers. This position is considered Essential and is required to report to campus and remain during inclement weather and other emergency situations defined by department policy.

For persons interested in law enforcement or public safety careers, the opportunity to work within the field of public safety and develop relationships with public safety professionals gives them real world experiences and skills to bring to their first job after graduation that others do not have.