Suffolk University Police & Security Department (SUPD)

Mission Statement and Values

The mission of the Suffolk University Police and Security Department is to provide a safe and secure environment that enhances the educational mission of the university. We are committed to the protection of life and property, and the prevention and detection of crime through a partnership with the community. The Suffolk University Police and Security Department is committed to excellence in service through proactive initiatives and the highest quality of professionalism, and dedication.

Read the Suffolk University Police and Security Department Strategic Plan 2019-2023 [PDF]

Suffolk University Police and Security staff consists of:

  • Chief of Police
  • Captain / Deputy Chief
  • Captain, Administration Commander & Emergency Management
  • Lieutenant, Operations Commander
  • 7 Sergeants, Shift Commanders
  • 1 Operations Officer
  • 1 Crime Prevention Officer
  • 22 Patrol Officers
  • 36 full-time security officers
  • 5 full-time non-sworn dispatchers
  • 1 Administrative Assistant
  • Student security workers

Training

All our police officers must undergo 17 weeks of training at the Massachusetts State Police Academy and are licensed as special state police officers. In addition, Suffolk police officers complete 40 hours of in-service training with certified instructors every year in various law enforcement techniques. Several officers are trained in sexual assault investigation, crime scene investigation, basic criminal investigation, fingerprinting, and other specialties. All of our officers are trained in CPR, first aid, and automated defibrillation with some additionally trained as Emergency Medical Technicians. All our police officers are trained as first-responders. Several officers with specialized training make up our highly mobile and visible Bike Team.

See a detailed list of our current officer trainings.

Authority

All Suffolk University police officers are licensed under Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 22, section 63 by the State Police, granting them the same powers of arrest as a city or town police officer while on the property owned, used, or occupied by Suffolk University. All Suffolk University Police Officers are sworn Suffolk County Deputy Sheriffs which confers police powers throughout Suffolk County and allows our officers to act as valid law enforcement authorities in Suffolk County

Security officers are authorized by the University to enforce Suffolk University rules and regulations and to assist police officers to serve and protect this community.

We work closely with the Boston Police, Massachusetts State Police departments, and all other law enforcement agencies.