Safety concerns have increased among many given the recent rise in violent incidents and civil unrest across the nation.
To ensure Vanderbilt continues to be a welcoming environment and as safe as possible for all, Vanderbilt University Public Safety actively monitors for any potential threats to the campus and coordinates with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies as needed to protect the Vanderbilt community.
Members of the Vanderbilt community are also encouraged to take advantage of a number of services provided by VUPS, including safety escorts and educational programs and training regarding personal safety and workplace violence.
“Our goal is to maintain the safety and security of the campus with the utmost care and compassion and under the highest standard of conduct. As part of this, our department is always willing and able to provide safety escorts, especially in light of recent events. We will make additional personnel available for safety escorts as needed,” said Rick Burr, VUPS assistant chief of police.
VUPS-commissioned police officers complete officer training at a state-certified police academy. These officers hold Special Police Commissions and are required to attend annual in-service, as well as on-the-job, training. VUPS also employs non-academy-trained officers for security-related functions. As part of their commitment to a culture of service, VUPS also focuses on training topics such as de-escalation and implicit bias.
One of Tennessee’s larger law enforcement agencies, VUPS provides comprehensive law enforcement and security services to all components of the university as well as to Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Vanderbilt Health One Hundred Oaks.
Vanderbilt’s police department is an institutional member of and accredited by the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA). The department is also accredited through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) and the Tennessee Law Enforcement Accreditation (TLEA) program. Vanderbilt is the first university police department to achieve accreditation in the state-wide program.
Those who would like more information regarding VUPS educational programs or would like to schedule a program can contact Capt. Leshuan Oliver by email or at (615) 566-6960.
Vanderbilt University’s police department is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
For assistance, call:
- Non-emergency — (615) 322-2745, or 2-2745 from a campus extension
- Emergency — 911, or from off campus, (615) 421-1911