Fort Valley State University

Director Of Public Safety

The Director of Public Safety reports to the Vice President for Business and Finance. The director is responsible for establishing and providing the administrative direction and support necessary to achieve the department’s mission and goals. Additionally, the director is tasked with not only protecting the lives, property and preservation of property within the boundaries of the university, but to delegate that responsibility to junior officers, sergeants and lieutenants who have been trained exceptionally well. The director serves as a liaison with city, county, state and federal law enforcement/ safety officials. The director establishes and implements annual departmental goals and objectives which promote continual success of the department. The Director of the Fort Valley State University Department of Campus Police and Safety is additionally tasked with implementing and developing departmental policy, operational procedures, creating an annual budget, which must insure that the departmental expenses are paid and needs are covered. The director is responsible for overseeing the process of employee recruitment, selection, orientation, training and development of staff, conducting employee evaluations, informing the Vice President of Business and Finance of police actions and criminal activities, acting as a consultant to the university’s units on matters of law enforcement, security, public safety, police activities, community organizations and other duties as assigned. The job of our director is intense and the need of competent leadership is crucial.

Associate Director Of Public Safety

This is a responsible administrative and technical position of assisting the Director of Public Safety in the operations and function of the department. Work involves the primary responsibility for coordinating and supervising a major group of functions relating to the proper enforcement of laws, city ordinances, state statues, crime prevention and protection of life and property. Additionally, the associate director’s position involves aiding in formulation, amending and improving policy schedules and procedures as they relate to employees, equipment and facilities. Work is done with broad technical discretion and independence under limited supervision of the director. Job performance is monitored through discussions, meetings, reports and results of program objectives. The associate director acts as the director in his or her absence.

Captain

This is a supervisory position that requires the employee to have a working knowledge of the policies and procedures for the university and a working knowledge of important federal, state and local laws. Responsibilities entail handling most public relations for the Department of Campus Police and Safety, student escorts, campus police functions such as seminars, govern campus and community policing, perform supervisory work on campus, instructing and supervising subordinates in investigations and other difficult situations, assuming complete charge in the absence of a superior officer, working closely with the public information department (Marketing and Communications) and performing other duties as assigned.

Lieutenant

This is a highly responsible supervisory position assisting in the direction of personnel on an assigned watch or other detailed supervisory or non-supervisory work of similar obligation. Work may involve the responsibility for the proper supervision of all activities of assigned personnel that require considerable knowledge, skills and abilities in interpreting orders, rules and regulations as well as functioning effectively with only verbal instructions from supervisors. Work is reviewed through the evaluation of written reports and observation of job performance conducted by a supervisory officer or an individual charged with such responsibility.

Sergeant

This is a supervisory position which involves technical police work of considerable responsibility. This is a middle management position which signifies the importance of the operational efficiency of the department. Work involves responsibility for assisting in the supervision of patrol activities on an assigned watch or for supervision in a highly specialized area. Sergeants will frequently participate in work performed by subordinate officers and will assume command and control in the absence of a supervisor. Sergeants are generally given specific work assignments and instructions by superior officers on new assignments but work independently in performing routine duties. Successful performance of work requires the application of seasoned judgment based upon police experience and training as well as current codes, laws and ordinances. Work performance is reviewed by the evaluation of results attained through oral and written reports given to ranking officials.

Police Officer

Responsibilities include basic investigatory and general-duty police work in the protection of life, liberty and property. A police officer’s responsibility includes aiding in the prevention of crime and criminal activity, apprehending criminals, properly conducting criminal investigations and general enforcement of foot and car patrol. Police officers, at times, utilize unmarked vehicles, motorcycles, bikes and golf carts and perform any combination of a wide range or assigned watches with a division, section, unit or squad. The work of a police officer involves an element of danger and officers must be able to act effectively without constant direct supervision and exercise independent discretion in dangerous situations. Members of this class may be assigned as investigators or be detailed to special assignments.

Communications Officer

The Communications Officer for the Department of Campus Police and Safety acts as an information source to the entire university. This person answers all incoming and inter-university calls. They give one-on-one information as needed and assist people on a continuous basis. Dispatchers at the Fort Valley State University Department of Campus Police and Safety also enter reports into the Arms System. The Arms System is a system that retains various types of information regarding vehicle jump-offs, reserved parking spaces, master files, monthly statistical reports, university crime reporting etc., There is an alarm that sounds to the dispatcher’s office whenever there is an emergency situation that arises on campus. Dispatchers are tasked with responding to this alarm and taking appropriate action. Furthermore, dispatchers keep constant checks on case logs, issue and fill out various forms and tally and document these forms at the end of the day in the appropriate place. Dispatchers also monitor the University’s ATM activities and much more.

The Department of Campus Police and Safety is committed to delivering the highest level of service in an effort to preserve and advance democratic values. In doing so, we pledge to continue providing the highest levels of integrity and professionalism in all of our operations. The operational goals of the Department of Campus Police and Safety are to ensure that a safe and secure environment exists for all students, faculty, staff and visitors; to provide a twenty-four hour a day operation that is designed to check, patrol and to provide a safer place for all.

In the future, the department seeks to provide increased visibility, installation of surveillance cameras and additional security fencing.