Department of Campus Safety

The Department of Campus Safety works diligently to ensure a safe work and academic environment for the APU community. The Department of Campus Safety partners with city, county, state, and federal law enforcement authorities. Agencies collaborate whenever possible on investigations and crime prevention programs to provide the best possible service to the APU community.

APU’s Department of Campus Safety is located on the first floor of Smith Hall on East Campus. The department consists of 4 leadership team members (executive director, assistant director, operations manager, and special services supervisor), 1 administrative coordinator to the executive director, 1 parking coordinator, 3 special services officers, 12 staff officers, 4 dispatchers, 1 special events coordinator, 1 investigator, 1 Clery coordinator, and about 30 student workers who patrol the campus and support our communication services.

Members of the Campus Safety team participate in extensive training focused on a variety of topics, including harassment, implicit bias, microaggressions, mental health awareness, persons with disabilities, crisis communications, de-escalation techniques, and use-of-force training. APU requires all Campus Safety officers to receive certification from the California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services to operate as a Campus Safety officer. APU special services officers are required to successfully complete a California Peace Officers Standards and Training Basic Police Academy consisting of a minimum of 664 training hours.

Mission

Provide a safe and secure learning environment for the university community and protect the assets of Azusa Pacific University.

Vision

Be a leader in exceptional customer service, model dignity and respect of others, show mercy over judgment, and offer accountability.

Values

• God First
• Honor
• Integrity
• Teamwork
• Commitment

Welcome to Azusa Pacific University’s Department of Campus Safety website, which offers information about our department and can answer many questions you may have. You may also contact us at (626) 815-3805 and we’ll be glad to help you.

The Department of Campus Safety is committed to providing a safe and secure learning environment in which our faculty and staff can prepare our students for academic success now and career opportunities in the future. As members of the APU community, our officers and staff serve with courtesy, pride, dependability, and sensitivity. The safety and well-being of our students, faculty, staff, and visitors is paramount. We pride ourselves on working as a team—within the department and across campus, and also with law enforcement in the greater Azusa community.

The Department of Campus Safety is operational 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. There are always officers on duty to respond to calls for service. Our officers share an all-encompassing vision that reflects the university motto of God First.

I thank you for visiting our department website. We look forward to serving you.

Best Regards,

Paul Dennis
Executive Director

With the support of the university and input from the Campus Safety student, staff, and faculty committee, a plan to enhance and improve the department’s security services is under way. Highlights include:

• Positive relationship building and customer service with student, staff, and faculty measures.
• Expanded and improved workplace for efficient and professional services.
• New technologies, including the mobile safety app Safe APU, improved dispatch and records management system, interactive Instagram and X accounts, and body-worn cameras.
• Improved and continuous training for all Campus Safety personnel, including online policy and procedure training, and cultural diversity and implicit bias training.
• Creation of the special services officer position, which carries a higher level of training, increased hiring standards, and an armed response in the event of a life-threatening emergency.
• Creation of the Community Advisory Committee to enhance the interaction of department staff with the community, establish the highest standards for Campus Safety personnel accountability, and increase trust among the Azusa Pacific University community.