Community Engagement

Overview

The connection between the University of South °®¶¹´«Ã½ Police Department (°®¶¹´«Ã½PD) and our community is vital to the success of our institution. As °®¶¹´«Ã½ continues to rise among the nation’s fastest-growing universities, public safety remains a cornerstone of that progress. Every member of the University Police Department is committed to being community-minded and service-driven, fostering trust, safety, and mutual respect across all campuses.

Under the leadership of Vice President of Public Safety and Chief of Police Chris Daniel, °®¶¹´«Ã½PD continues to advance proactive community policing initiatives. Our mission is to enhance engagement with students, faculty, and staff by promoting awareness of personal safety, strengthening transparency, and maintaining open, two-way communication. We serve our community with integrity and dedication, ensuring a secure environment that supports academic and personal success.

A key component of our engagement strategy is our Therapy K9 Program, led by skilled handlers trained in crisis intervention. While originally designed for emotional support, the program has evolved into a powerful tool for community outreach—creating meaningful connections, encouraging dialogue, and promoting well-being. These interactions allow officers to discuss crime prevention, share safety resources, and strengthen relationships within the °®¶¹´«Ã½ community.

The program welcomes requests for Therapy K9 appearances at hangouts, de-stress events, and other campus gatherings. These visits help raise awareness about critical safety resources such as the Safe App and SAFE Alert messaging system, while connecting our community to °®¶¹´«Ã½PD through engaging, approachable interactions. Looking ahead, we continue exploring new opportunities to collaborate with students and campus organizations to expand and deepen our engagement across the university.