The Department of Public Safety is comprised of Campus Police, and Fire and EMS. The primary goal of the Department of Public Safety is to create and assure a safe, orderly and secure environment for those we serve.

Campus Police is the recognized law enforcement agency responsible for the College of Charleston campus charged with protecting life and property, enforcing the laws of the state of South Carolina and the rules and regulations of the College of Charleston, preserving the peace and public order, preventing and reducing crime, detecting and apprehending those who violate the laws, and assisting with the prosecution of those apprehended.

Thirty-six professionally trained and certified men and women are assigned to provide police services at the College of Charleston. These officers, serving in twelve-hour shifts, provide service and protection twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Campus Police officers are required to complete an intensive nine-week training program at the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy. The training program courses include criminal investigation, sex crimes, drug enforcement and juvenile justice. Upon graduation, the officer is certified with full powers of arrest by the Academy in accordance with South Carolina law and receives a Group I Constable commission through the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED). In-service training in law enforcement and related subjects is continuous throughout the career of the officer.

Additionally, twenty state security officers are trained to staff the residence halls and the Addlestone Library. These officers provide internal security and liaison support for our patrol officers. They also attend in-service training on a regular basis.

The campus is patrolled by officers who are on foot, in vehicles and on bicycles. Our bicycle patrol program enhances the opportunity for officers to provide a more interactive approach to community support and service. The high visibility and mobility of these officers are an integral part of our community policing efforts.

Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) are in effect between Campus Police and the City of Charleston Police Department, Charleston County Sheriff's Office, Charleston County Airport Authority Police, and North Charleston Police Department to specify agreed-upon responsibilities, cooperative agency response and investigation, and intra-agency sharing of information critical to the safety and security of students attending the College of Charleston. These agency-to-agency agreements comply with the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) requirements that recognize the conjoint responsibility for the reporting and disposition of criminal offenses that occur on campus property and facilities utilized by the College, as well as expand the potential for cooperative safety planning and initiatives involving our student population.

An annual meeting with the City of Charleston Police Department is conducted before the start of the academic year. At this meeting, officials discuss potential problems, issues and new initiatives in an effort to maintain a strong cooperative partnership that benefits our students, faculty and staff. Our Campus Police officers are committed to the philosophy of community-oriented law enforcement.

The Department of Public Safety strives to serve the campus community and welcomes all visitors at any time. The office is located at 81B St. Philip Street.

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