About Public Safety : University of Dayton, Ohio

Protecting and Engaging Our Community

Public Safety UD police officers are on duty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. They conduct 24-hour patrol using marked patrol vehicles, bicycles, a motorcycle, and foot patrol.

Officers meet all State of Ohio certification requirements and are commissioned as set forth under section 1713.50 of the Ohio Revised Code. All officers have obtained at least 560 hours of specialized training through the Ohio Peace Officer’s Training Academy as mandated by the Ohio Revised Code and participate in continuing education and qualification requirements.

Our officers strive to protect life and property, to understand and serve the needs of the community, to actively seek to identify community problems, and to improve the quality of life in the community.

UD Public Safety is one of three police agencies in Ohio to complete the International Association of Chiefs of Police pledge to improve interactions with people with mental health conditions.

The Department of Public Safety maintains close working relationships with police departments in the City of Dayton, City of Oakwood, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, federal, state, and other law enforcement agencies, and the City of Dayton Fire Department.

Frequently Asked Questions

What authority do Public Safety officers have?

The Department of Public Safety operates under the authority granted by UD’s board of trustees and in accordance with Ohio Revised Code (ORC) 1713.50. Our police officers have arrest authority within the state of Ohio and jurisdictional authority on UD owned or controlled properties and on public and private properties within the campus boundaries and have the same legal authority as any other police officer in Ohio.

What are Public Safety Advocates?

Public Safety Advocates are sworn student volunteers who act as a liaison between UD students and police. They engage in planning and execution of student-oriented events and education.

Do UD police officers have authority in landlord houses?

Yes. UD police officers are sworn officers who have the same legal authority as any other police officer in Ohio. UD officers have enforcement authority for local ordinances, state and federal law, and the student code of conduct. Students living in landlord properties are still subject to the university’s code of conduct and the laws of the State of Ohio and the City of Dayton.

Why do enforcement actions (warnings, disciplinary process, citations, arrests) vary?

Officers base enforcement action on each situation's set of merits and facts. Factors of an officer's decision on enforcement action may include one's cooperation with the officer, prior offenses or severity of the situation.

Why did my residence get a noise violation?

The local noise ordinance for Dayton (RCGO 94.5) states a device producing sound clearly audible at a distance of 25 feet is in violation of the ordinance. Your residence was either the subject of a complaint made to a neighborhood fellow or public safety or a member of either group witnessed the violation.

The noise ordinance is in effect 24 hours a day, every day.

Does Public Safety have a presence at The Hub?

Yes. The Department of Public Safety has a satellite office at the Hub Powered by PNC Bank. Led by Sgt. Bob Babal, the officers assigned to the Hub provide service to those working and learning in the beautifully renovated historic Dayton Arcade space.

Do you offer trainings?

Yes. The Department of Public Safety offers personalized training to the campus community. Our department employs sworn law enforcement officers whose training and certifications typically exceed the requirements set for other departments. The department holds regular learning opportunities in Fitz Hall and can also be scheduled to provide in-person training in buildings on campus including residence halls and in the Student Neighborhood. Our emergency personnel also regularly schedule CPR training during the academic year.

Students, faculty and staff can request training in Porches.

How do you communicate with the campus community?

Public Safety generates community-wide communication related to safety and security. The Clery Act mandates the instances in which the University must issue Emergency Notifications and Timely Warning Notifications (UD's Safety Advisory). Public Safety introduced the Flyer Aware Message in 2017 to offer a form of communication regarding safety and security issues that do not fall within the criteria of the federally mandated messaging.