10 Things You Don't Know About The IU Police Department

Last updated on Wednesday, December 27, 2017

(BLOOMINGTON) - The Indiana University Police Department is a full-service law enforcement agency that employs over 40 full-time police officers as well as several part-time police officers and student cadets.

They work 24/7 to protect and serve Indiana University students and staff, and they do their job so well and so effectively that many students don't see or realize many of the duties they fulfill on a daily basis.

Indiana law gives Indiana University the authority to appoint police officers (IC 21-39-4). IUPD is a university-wide police department made up of divisions located on each campus. They have primary jurisdiction on any university-owned property, as well as streets that pass through or around the property.

Officers work closely with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies and have direct access to national and state law enforcement computer networks such as the National Crime Information Center and the Indiana Data and Communications System.

1. They do a lot more than just give out tickets:

From event security to dealing with computer hackers and domestic situations, the IUPD is not doesn't just give out tickets. They also act as security for important guests that come visit campus and some officers are assigned to travel with, assist, and protect IU athletes when competing. The full-time IUPD officers not only patrol around campus, but supervise the student apartments around campus and patrol the off-campus buildings that IU owns in the town of Bloomington. They also work to find and arrest people in the area who have a warrant for their arrest and help control and supervise the homeless population in Bloomington.

2. They know how to take care of a situation:

Their goal is to keep students and staff and the general public safe. Officers are highly trained for any situation - it is better to seek help, regardless of the consequences. They also teach students and staff how to handle emergency situations such as produce videos like Run. Hide. Fight.® at Indiana University

3. Many of them are IU students:

The officers walking around campus patrolling on foot are students just like you. They take classes, get involved in clubs, and live on campus or in the area. Many of them live in the dorms to provide extra security. They are expected to balance their work with the department and their school workload as a full-time IU student.

4. The officers have a social life:

Many student officers participate in Greek life and other organizations.

5.They work very long hours:

For a full-time officer, a typical shift is 12 hours. Student cadet's hours vary, but many are on duty from 6:30 a.m. until 11:30 p.m. Tuesday - Friday and 7 a.m. until 3 p.m.on the weekends. For special events like game days, officers often are expected to work even more hours.

6. Officers work a lot of overtime:

IUPD officers work overtime to provide security for sporting, sorority and entertainment events.

7. They are not here to just monitor drinking on campus:

Any off-campus house party is reported to the Bloomington Police Department. On campus, parties are only investigated by the IU police.

8. They are here to help:

They will answer any questions the students, staff or public have. They want students and staff to come to them if in need. The officers are constantly training, researching and staying up to date on changes in the law.

9. The more compliant you are with them, the more they will be with you:

Officers have a job to do. If you respect them they will respect you. When dealing with students who are compliant and respectful they are much more likely to give them a dean's case rather than a citation.

10. They aren't the bad guys:

Officer continually train and work to ensure the public is safe. Their main job is not to arrest someone, but to ensure a safe environment on and around campus.

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