The Patrol Division of the University Police consists of approximately 12 sworn, professional police personnel dedicated to maintaining a positive educational environment for the university community.

Each police officer working in the Patrol Division has been assigned to one of three shift platoons. Each shift is a team lead by a designated Sergeant/Shift Commander. The Sergeants report to the Assistant Director.

University police officers are sworn officers with full powers of arrest provided to them by the Kentucky Revised Statutes. Police officers in the Patrol Division work 24 hours a day, seven days a week throughout the entire year providing essential services. Police officers working patrol respond to calls for law enforcement and general service, take reports of criminal incidents, provide the initial investigation of reported criminal incidents, respond to fire and intrusion alarms, assist in medical emergencies and handle traffic accidents.

Police personnel enforce the state and local criminal laws, University policies and laws that involve alcohol, drugs and weapons. In addition, police officers assigned to the Patrol Division work the campus social events and home athletic activities and participate in the Crime Prevention and Community Oriented Policing programs.

The campus is patrolled by a variety of methods including both marked and unmarked patrol vehicles, bicycle patrol and foot patrol.

University police officers have county-wide jurisdiction in Campbell County, as well as on any property the University owns, leases or otherwise controls, and includes the city streets that run through and are adjacent to the campus properties.

Police personnel in the Patrol Division receive their Basic Police Academy and advanced law enforcement training through the Kentucky Justice Cabinets Department of Criminal Justice Training, the Southern Police Institute, the National Crime Prevention Institute, and the FBI National Academy.

In addition to formal training provided on an annual basis, officers receive additional training in the areas of firearms proficiency, first-aid and CPR, hazardous materials, fire suppression, drug/substance awareness, search and seizure, use of radar, cultural diversity, and any additional topic that is timely and relevant. Training can be conducted at the on-site training facility located in the University Police Office.

There are five basic goals of patrol:

1. DETERRENCE AND PREVENTION: Deterrence involves activities which are intended to influence the perceptions of potential criminals as to the likelihood of apprehension. Prevention is aimed at making criminal activity more difficult regardless of the perceived odds of apprehension. It is generally assumed that the conspicuous use of patrol units projects an image of police preparedness, efficiency, and omnipresence that discourages would-be criminals. Higher levels of patrol visibility bring about higher levels of deterrence.
2. APPREHENSION: When deterrence fails to prevent crime, patrol is responsible for apprehending the offender. Quick and efficient performance of the task is generally assumed to contribute to improved levels of deterrence.
3. NON-CRIMINAL RELATED SERVICES: Performance of these type services (sick-injury calls, rescue services, reporting repairs of public property and utilities, taking reports for insurance purposes only, etc.) are another patrol function. The tendency of the public to call the police when unable to think of where else to turn and the fact that the police are often the only available source of help is the primary reason that these types of services are provided by police departments.
4. SENSE OF COMMUNITY SECURITY AND SATISFACTION: It is normally acknowledged that effective attainment of deterrence, apprehension and non-crime related service activity should result in high levels of perceived community security and satisfaction with police activities.
5. RECOVERY OF STOLEN PROPERTY: The recovery of stolen property loses much of its significance unless the items can be returned promptly to the owner. Citizens need to use crime prevention services to learn how to make their property easier to recover in the event that it is stolen.

Community Bicycle Patrol

     At present, the NKU Community Bicycle Patrol includes:

• Ofc. Angela Walter
• Ofc. Bobby Joe Wince
• Ofc. Greg Zelensky

At Northern Kentucky University Police Department, we recognize that the presence of a police officer can deter criminal activity, that members of a community will respond more positively to an officer of their personal acquaintance, and that crime rates are rising nationally and locally.  In response, the Northern Kentucky University Police Department has created a Community Bicycle Patrol comprised of police officers dedicated to the reduction of crime and the fear of crime in the Northern Kentucky University community.

The mission of the Community Bicycle Patrol is to heighten the community’s awareness of crime and its effects on the community; to promote individual involvement in community-based crime prevention; to enforce the laws, codes, and regulations of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, City of Highland Heights, and Northern Kentucky University; and to serve as a liaison between individual members of the community and the Northern Kentucky University Police Department.

The University Police Department’s Community Bicycle Patrol is made up of three officers.  These officers are specially selected from NKU Police Department's patrol officers.  A candidate must demonstrate a public service attitude, an outgoing personality, willingness and ability to work with diversity and adapt to the changing environment on campus.  They must also pass the IPMBA Police Cyclist training course.

Once these officers successfully earn their position on the Community Bicycle Patrol, they will patrol day and night, all year round, and in almost all weather conditions.  As bike patrol officers, they can more easily navigate the campus area, often arriving at a scene prior to the patrol cars.  Also, bicycle-mounted officers are often more approachable and more easily accessible to the members of our community.

Training

 As mentioned above, NKU Police Bike Patrol officers must complete a certified Police Cyclist course.  During this course, the trainee will learn how to properly utilize a bicycle in order to fulfill the police function.  Training includes:

• Slow-Riding Techniques;
• Vehicular Cycling Techniques;
• Cycling Laws;
• Emergency Dismounts;
• Patrol Procedures;
• Night Cycling Etiquette;
• Obstacle Clearing;
• Riding Up and Down Stairs;
• Basic Maintenance;
• First aid;
• and other important safety material.

In addition to bicycle training, members of the bicycle patrol must also attend and utilize training in Community Oriented Policing Theory, Working with Diverse Populations, Community Relations, Communication Skills, and Ethics for Police Officers.

Goals

In furtherance of their mission, the members of the Community Bicycle Patrol focus on the Residential Life areas of Northern Kentucky University, including all residence halls but not to the exclusion of other areas of the University.  It is each team member’s responsibility to develop a professional relationship with members of the Northern Kentucky University Residence Life staff, members of the Northern Kentucky University student body residing in residence life facilities, and any other members of the community having a direct influence on the standard of living in the residence life facilities.  While their duties as officers of the Northern Kentucky University Police Department may bring them to other areas on or off campus, the Community Bicycle Patrol members bear in mind their primary patrol area and responsibilities are in and around the Residence Life facilities.

Personal interaction with members of the community is a priority task for our bicycle patrol.  The team members work toward being easily recognized by members of the community, specifically Resident Assistants, Assistant Directors of Residence Life, Associate Directors of Residence Life, and the Director of Residence Life and Campus Dining.

Through personal interaction, training, patrol, and investigation, the members of the Bicycle Patrol identify specific and general challenges confronting the community with emphasis on criminal activity, perceptions of crime, and standard of living issues.  Using an appropriate methodology, the members of the bicycle patrol actively work to overcome these challenges through education, resource direction, crime prevention, community action, and/or enforcement, as necessary.  These challenge-resolution actions are documented in report form and submitted to the Assistant Director, University Police.

The Northern Kentucky University Community Bicycle Patrol, as with the rest of our department, strives to provide the best possible law enforcement services to our community.  We pride ourselves on our approachability, accountability, and quick, effective response to incidents on our campus.

Please remember, these officers are here to assist you, even if you just want to stop and talk.  Keep in mind that the University Police Department is responsible for emergency response at Southeastern, so we may not be able to stop immediately every time we are passing, but we will be happy to help however we can.

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