Wesleyan University, with a population of almost 4,000 persons, is an integral part of the larger community of Middletown, a manufacturing and residential city in central Connecticut. Together they share physical, civic, and personal resources to their mutual advantage.

Safety for all is a major concern. Realistically, no society, be it state, city, or college campus, can be free of all crime. Wesleyan strives to provide an ideal environment for learning, working, and recreation, but safety on campus does not happen by chance. Thus, the University has instituted numerous policies and procedures to enhance security. Members of the Wesleyan community have a responsibility to make good use of the security procedures and services available and must be accountable for their own well-being and also for the welfare of others.

Therefore, the University urges all members of the Wesleyan community-students, faculty, and staff-to participate in maintaining campus safety by promptly reporting any suspicious circumstances, accidents, or criminal acts to the Office of Public Safety at 685-3333 and the Middletown police at 9-911.

The Office of Public Safety is staffed by officers, patrol personnel and supervisors who patrol the campus on a 24-hour basis. All are trained in CPR and first aid as well as in other areas applicable to their positions as officers in a University setting. Each person is equipped with a two-way radio, which keeps him/her in constant contact with the Office of Public Safety, located at 208 High Street. From this location, Public Safety has contact with the Middletown Police Department, Middletown Fire Department, and emergency medical services.

The office works closely with the Middletown Police and Fire Department on incidents occurring on or around campus and operates in conjunction with the personnel of other agencies, whose expertise and resources have been utilized in the past. The Public Safety investigative captain coordinates the investigation and will enlist whatever outside resources are necessary to assist. We encourage you to report all incidents, whether on or near campus.

We are here to help you. Our orientation is service, prevention, and detection. Our personnel are trained to solve problems and will assist you in any way possible. Public Safety personnel are on and around campus constantly. They are here for your benefit. Don't hesitate to call upon them for their assistance.

The Office of Public Safety, located at 208 High Street, reports to the vice president and secretary of the University. It houses the central dispatch center, which coordinates the activities of five supervisors, seventeen officers, three patrol personnel and a small number of part-time patrol personnel who provide 24-hour patrol, response, and service to the community.

The director, associate director, and a secretary provide administrative support and direction for the office's many functions, aided by part-time personnel, who also assist in the operation of the dispatch center and the office also provides a variety of services to the community.

Public Safety personnel are required by federal and state laws to enforce rules, regulations, and laws pertaining to alcohol and drug violations on campus. They also enforce University regulations pertaining to the University's Code of Non-Academic Conduct, parking control, fire safety, and academic/administration departmental rules and procedures. Every effort is made to enforce these regulations equitably and professionally.

For patrol purposes, the campus is divided into sectors that are assigned to personnel in patrol vehicles, on bicycles, and on foot. Highly visible and easily recognizable, the patrol vehicles are equipped with emergency lights and red cruise lights that are illuminated at night; telephone numbers for reporting emergencies are listed on the doors of the patrol vehicles. Public Safety uniforms are designed to allow ready identification.

Although Public Safety personnel cannot make criminal arrests, they are well trained in Public Safety-all receive and maintain current certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, first aid and sexual-assault first-responder procedures, as well as other areas related to the functions of Public Safety.  All personnel are also trained in the PR-24 defensive baton.

Public Safety's close, professional relationship with the Middletown Police Department is based on prompt communication, frequent interaction, and a high level of mutual respect. The Middletown Police Department, located approximately three blocks from the center of campus, helps provide emergency services, patrol, and service to Wesleyan. Crisscrossed by city streets, Wesleyan receives residual patrol coverage from the activities of Middletown police officers as they patrol the city.

Wesleyan has an agreement with Middletown Police that the Office of Public Safety will be notified of serious crimes occurring near the campus through communication with an established liaison command officer. In this way, the Office of Public Safety is notified of possible criminal activity at nearby off- campus locations. In addition, the Middletown Police regularly request Public Safety's presence at most routine calls and all serious occurrences at the several buildings owned and/or controlled by student organizations that are contiguous to the campus.

Wesleyan's campus is very open. There are no outer protective boundaries or buffer zones and, therefore, the campus is easily accessible to individuals not affiliated with the University. Students, faculty, and staff are free to come and go. There are times, however, when it becomes necessary for Public Safety personnel to request proper identification, such as the Wesleyan University photo identification card. Such requests are not made often and are made only out of concern for community members. Public Safety is also concerned with your rights.  As members of the campus community, you have a right at the time of the request to have the an explanation provided for the request.  Please carry your identification with you at all times.