The department is comprised of 41 police officers who are commissioned by the city of Detroit and have full police authority. They patrol the Wayne State University campus area 24 hours a day, seven days a week. A group of civilian cadets also patrols the area on foot, keeping radio contact with the officers.

The headquarters for campus police is just a half a block from the Detroit Police Department's 13th precinct, and there is a close working relationship between the Detroit and Wayne State police, providing support and backup for one another.

All officers have at least a bachelor's degree. About half are WSU graduates. All have completed an intensive training course at a state-certified police academy, followed by a demanding 10-week program at Wayne State. Refresher courses serve to keep the officers up-to-date.

Established in 1966, the department has maintained an impressive safety record. The Wayne State experience compares favorably to most suburban Detroit communities.

According to statistics from the Michigan Uniform Crime Report of 1997, Wayne State averaged 0.41 "crimes against persons" per 1,000 people. That category includes homicide, forcible and non-forcible sex offenses, robbery and aggravated assault.

For 1997 in the "crimes against persons" category, Eastern Michigan University reported 1 forcible sex offense, 4 robberies and 7 aggravated assaults. Michigan State University noted 3 forcible sex offenses, 4 robberies and 15 aggravated assaults. Oakland University reported 1 forcible sex offense and 3 aggravated assaults. The University of Michigan reported 1 homicide, 3 forcible sex offenses, 12 robberies and 18 aggravated assaults. Western Michigan University reported 3 forcible sex offenses, 1 robbery and 5 aggravated assaults.

Where There is a Blue Light, There is Help:
The department operates more than 130 blue beacons -- telephones with blue lights and a direct link to public safety through a (313) 577-2222 emergency phone system to Wayne State University police. They are located on the central campus as well as the medical school and allied health campuses.

These special blue lights signal one thing: The location of an emergency telephone for quick contact with WSU's Department of Public Safety. Simply dial 7-2222. This special number, linking the caller directly to Public Safety, can be dialed from any campus phone.

These phones can be used for any emergency as well as to report the following:

* Crimes
* Suspicious persons
* Lost, found or stolen property
* Car trouble
* Medical problems
* Fire

According to Dallas Schneider, chief of Wayne State's Department of Public Safety, safety concerns are a very important element of life in a large metropolitan area.

"It is that concern and accompanying action that often results in our avoidance of being victimized," Schneider said. "The incident on December 10, however, is a very unique and isolated situation which, though very serious, does not represent the level of safety existing at Wayne State University.

"The University, like all communities, experiences property-related crimes such as larcenies, but personal safety is best represented by the number of crimes against persons, which includes homicide, forcible sex offenses, robbery and aggravated assault.

"Our experience shows a 33 percent reduction in the number of those incidents from five years ago. The recorded incidents declined from 24 in 1993 to 16 in 1997, but efforts to improve our circumstances have not ended.

"Current efforts involve the implementation of improved lighting along the main pedestrian malls on the campus. Community policing efforts are bringing students, employees and the police into partnerships that will address a wide variety of issues, not limited to just crime prevention.

"The University Police Department works to improve the visibility of its officers and cadets by assigning personnel at special events, patrolling buildings on foot, patrolling the malls and parking structures with officers on bicycles, motorcycles and on foot, and by patrolling the general campus area in marked police vehicles.

"Like other communities, we are not immune to crime. Recognizing that, we are engaged in a continuing effort to maintain Wayne State University as a desirable place in which to study, work and socialize.