Auxiliary Operations
Communications Center
The University Of Delaware Police Department operates one of nine Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) in the State of Delaware. All 911 calls that are placed from the campus phone system are answered by the University of Delaware Police Communications Center (UCOMM). Whenever an emergency call is received in the Communications Center, the location is presented to the dispatcher answering the call and on the corresponding map as well. UCOMM handled over 19,000 calls for service each year that were documented within the dispatch system, approximately 15,000 of which required the assignment of a police or security officer to the incident. The PSAP is also responsible for monitoring life safety alarms, security alarms, access control systems and CCTV that require response and dispatch to various incidents that impact the safety and security of the university community.
Video Monitoring Center
The Center is currently staffed at peak hours by trained operators who engage in live-monitoring of cameras which serves as a force-multiplier for the department. If an emergency call is received from a blue light phone and there is a camera within range, the dispatcher can begin to monitor the caller on the phone using the camera system. Since implementation in 2009, the department has used the system to solve several crimes; to better manage game-day events in and around the Delaware Stadium and Bob Carpenter Center and to supplement security for dignitaries who attend campus events throughout the year.
Satellite Campus Operations (Wilmington/Lewes)
The UD Police Department maintains a Police presence on the Wilmington Campus and the Hugh R. Sharp Campus in Lewes, with the Special Units Division Commander overseeing the uniformed security services division for those areas. The department currently employs one Constable and 5 Security Officers at the Lewes Campus and one Police Officer at the Wilmington Campus.
Constables are commissioned by the State of Delaware and have the same duties and powers as law enforcement officers. In addition to supervising the Security Officers, the Lewes Constable patrols, responds to calls for service, conducts investigations, makes arrests, completes incident reports, testifies in court hearings, assists outside law enforcement agencies, provides medical transports and executes active warrants. The Lewes Constable also enforces procedural rules and regulations, ensures the personal safety of staff, visitors and property and maintains security and safety for the southern campus.
In addition, the Lewes Constable plans and assesses needs for special events held on campus and consults regularly with the dean, facilities manager, Virden Center manager, local law enforcement officials and city officials to evaluate safety and security needs and procedures for Sharp Campus. The Wilmington campus serves a largely older adult student population through the Osher Lifelong Learning Program, as well as special events and conferences with attendance ranging from a handful to several hundred participants.