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Campus Community,
We are all looking forward to spring and warmer weather. In the meantime, campus continues to stay busy with events, activities and the daily routine. Overall, crime on and off campus continues to stay at low levels. In fact, we’ve seen an overall reduction in crime in Dinkytown when compared to the previous years. It is a good sign, and we are hopeful that these trend continue into the spring semester. Public Safety is working on an extended off campus safety program through the winter and is planning for annual spring events. We encourage you to become involved in these safety events and learn more about out department.
See you on campus!
Chief Matt Clark
Department of Public Safety
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UMPD Freezin' Gophs to plunge at SOMN Polar Plunge 2024 | |
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Team UMPD Freezin' Gophs will be freezing for a reason! Our team consists of members from the U of MN Department of Public Safety which includes our 24/7 911 dispatch center, our University Police Department, and our University Security team members. We hope you will consider supporting our fundraising efforts to support Special Olympic athletes here in Minnesota. As the oath reads, Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt. We are braving the freezing cold waters of Lake Nokomis to raise money to support our incredible athletes!
To donate visit:
reg.plungemn.org/team/umpdfreezingophs
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We are hiring Police and Community Service Officers | |
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re you looking for a great career? UMPD is hiring Police Officers and Community Service Officers! Apply today!
We offer competitive wages, paid holidays, generous time off, low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans! Tuition cost coverage of 75–100%. Come join the team of incredible individuals that serve our campus community every day.
Apply for Police Officer
https://z.umn.edu/UMNDPSPoliceOfficer
Apply for Community Service Officer
https://z.umn.edu/UMNDPSCommunityServiceOfficer
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Here's what you missed... | | |
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Tinsel the Elf educated the campus community about DPS and safety
If you missed all of the fun adventures of Tinsel our Elf recruit over the holiday season, you can view them on our social media. Tinsel learned all about DPS and about campus safety while sharing that information on social media.
Tinsel has committed to coming back next holiday season to show us even more and help us educate the campus community on staying safe.
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Reading to Preschoolers
Members from our DPS team had the honor of spending time at one of our student housing co-ops reading to the preschoolers and helping educate them on important safety considerations.
The kids specifically enjoyed the police officer coloring book and seeing some of the equipment. We can't wait to come back this spring!
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Coffee with a Cop events
UMPD hosted various Coffee with a Cop events in various locations providing coffee, donuts, and pastries.
Our team had great conversations around campus safety, resources, and training opportunities available.
Check out our social media on all platforms @UMNPUBLICSAFETY to learn about upcoming events.
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Recruiting Fairs
Our recruiting team members attended several recruitment fairs throughout the winter so far sharing the opportunities DPS has to offer.
To learn more about open positions and career opportunities with the Department of Public Safety, visit the link below.
Click this link to learn about open opportunities
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Bike Theft Prevention & U-locks
Each year on campus bikes are stolen that are improperly secured. So we asked UMPD Bike Unit Officer Pelano to demonstrate the proper way to secure your bike to a bike rack on campus to help prevent the theft of your bicycle.
Additionally, UMPD will be doing a monthly drawing for free U-locks, if you are interested in signing up for the drawing, you can sign up here.
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Dinkytown Outreach/Engagement
Members of the DPS team have spent time in the fall conducting safety walks in Dinkytown in addition to partnering with businesses in the Dinkytown area to host cops and coffee events and connect with the off-campus community members to offer resources and support.
Follow us on social media to see upcoming events @UMNPUBLICSAFETY
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Welcome Officer Graetz
Hello, I am Officer Linda Graetz and I came to the University of Minnesota Police Department in 2022 and have enjoyed policing in this exceptional campus community.
I have been a police officer for 22 years and have enjoyed a variety of assignments. I wanted to be an officer on the Community Engagement Team to help students, staff and faculty navigate how to stay safe in our community and succeed in academic success.
I am very passionate about education and enjoy listening to what students are learning on campus. I received a Masters Degree before having my three kids, who keep me busy when I am not at work.
I look forward to meeting many of you on campus and making sure we feel safe in the community we gather in!
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UMPD through (Intern)ational Eyes
with Nithya Murikinati
Please join us in welcoming Nithya Murikinati to our CET team as our ISSS Student Intern. Nithya is currently pursuing an MS in Data Science. Her role focuses on partnering with our international students regarding safety concerns and providing safety education and resources.
I look forward to building partnerships across our campus community.
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Recruiting & Mentorship
with Christina Mignone
It was great to be out in the community sharing DPS opportunities at local high schools and colleges. We also had the privilege of speaking in criminal justice and law enforcement classrooms.
In our recent recruitment collaboration meeting with several local law enforcement agencies from Minnesota we learned that our strategies and efforts with recruitment trends are both effective and impactful. We will continue to provide opportunities for mentorship with students interested in the profession. I have continued my efforts in working with our DPS team and the University of Minnesota Crookston on the NXT GEN Badge Certificate Program.
We have partnered with several high school career services programs to host recruitment tables and speak in more classrooms, bringing in the pathway to education working at the U fulltime.
Overall, it was a productive winter with our community engagement events, career fairs, recruitment tabling, and mentorship meetings. Let's have a safe productive rest of the school year!
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Learn more about Community Liaison Dillon Gherna here | |
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Community Connections
with Dillon Gherna
Happy spring semester! We have had a busy spring semester planning upcoming engagement events and holding meetings and trainings across the campus community.
We continue to plan and hold events all throughout the university community such as coffee with a cop, pizza with the police, tailgating, resource presentations, self defense workshops, and so much more!
Our team shares important resources and information on our social media channels, I would encourage you all to follow us @UMNPUBLICSAFETY.
Additionally, I am here as a resource for the entire University of Minnesota community, building relationships, providing resources, and supporting our collective goals to keep U safe.
Don't hesitate to reach out anytime.
Go Gophers!
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Thefts have decreased 8% over the last year. This is a 29% decrease from pre-pandemic theft levels. | |
Welcome our new U-Security team members
Pictured above: Student Security Monitors Brandon, Ellie, and Zach.
Not Pictured: Security Advisor Kray and Kong, Student Security Monitor Samuel.
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Upcoming Slice for U - Pizza with Police event after Spring Break
Join the DPS team for the next Slice for U - Pizza with Police event hosted right outside of DPS headquarters on Union Street Plaza. Stop by for a free slice of pizza and ask any of your campus safety questions. Its our welcome back from Spring Break.
March 11th 11am - 1pm
Union St Plaza
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Self Defense Workshops
with Tierra Prescott
Self Defense Workshops are offered throughout the academic year. They cover personal safety awareness and how to stay vigilant. Participants are shown simple self-defense moves and are given a chance to practice.
Students, faculty and staff can sign up for upcoming workshops.
We have upcoming workshops at the University Recreation and Wellness Center. To sign up to attend a workshop please follow this link HERE
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SMART 911 APP
Smart911 is a free service that allows you to provide additional details that 9-1-1 dispatchers may need in order to assist you during an emergency. Anytime you make an emergency call from a phone registered with your Safety Profile, the 9-1-1 systems recognizes your phone number and automatically displays your profile on the screen of the dispatcher.
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SAFETY GUIDES
Safety Guides from Block by Block are actively patrolling in Dinkytown Thursday through Saturday nights
BLUE EMERGENCY KIOSKS
If you see the blue emergency kiosks and need help, press the help button.
The blue kiosks directly connect you with a DPS 911 dispatcher and provides the exact location of the kiosk, as well as the ability to view the camera on the kiosk.
There are over 60 blue emergency kiosks on campus located outdoors, tunnels and in Dinkytown.
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624-WALK (Safety Escort Service)
Request a safe walk from a trained University Security employee, please call 612-624-WALK (9255), or 4-WALK from any campus phone. You can also visit this link to request online. Available 24/7/365.
RAVE Guardian App
Rave Guardian is a free phone app that provides University of Minnesota students, faculty and staff with access to virtual safety walking escorts and other helpful safety and security resources on campus.
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Campus Safety Resource Video
The Department of Public Safety launched a campus safety resource video for the campus community to learn about safety resources available to you on campus.
You can view it by clicking the video or visiting:
https://z.umn.edu/safetyvideo
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Active Threat Presentations & Online Training Course | |
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The Department of Public Safety offers an online Active Threat training course through canvas. To take this training, please click the button below.
*Note: You must have a UM email address to enroll in the training*
The police department also offers presentations and information on what to do if there is an active threat on campus.
To set up a presentation, please fill out a Community Outreach Officer form and indicate you would like an active threat presentation.
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Scan the QR code or click the button to the take the online active threat training | |
Department of Public Safety - Community Engagement Team | |
Nick Juarez (DPS Director of Community Engagement and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) Christina Mignone (Recruiting, Engagement, Mentorship) Officer Linda Graetz (Community Engagement) Dillon Gherna (Community Engagement Liaison) | |
The policing climate and community expectations continue to evolve and change. Our team wants to connect with you, we are in a time where positive collective efforts are needed.
To learn more about Community Engagement contact Director Nicholas Juarez at juar0008@umn.edu
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