Question about Campus Security

[The Lord of the Keys]

I'm interviewing next week for a Campus Security position at a private college and I'm also on the eligibility list for the State University Police. I'm wondering in anyone can give a general idea of what these sort of positions are like to work.

[Jackhole]

I'm interviewing next week for a Campus Security position at a private college and I'm also on the eligibility list for the State University Police. I'm wondering in anyone can give a general idea of what these sort of positions are like to work.

Which college? UR? RIT?

[The Lord of the Keys]

Actually its Ithaca and I know that their Public Safety department has both Police Officers and Security Guards. I'm trying to get out of the corporate security as it seems to have little potential to advance and because of my account now (which I enjoy but just can't live with pay in the $9.00 range)with mobile patrols and traffic enforcement I don't want to go back to being a guard at a lobby.

[Jackhole]

Actually its Ithaca and I know that their Public Safety department has both Police Officers and Security Guards. I'm trying to get out of the corporate security as it seems to have little potential to advance and because of my account now (which I enjoy but just can't live with pay in the $9.00 range)with mobile patrols and traffic enforcement I don't want to go back to being a guard at a lobby.

In a combination department like that, I really have no idea what role the security officer would play. I'm going to assume duties like access control, locking/unlocking buildings, etc.

Colleges really are great places to work, if you can deal with the liberal administration. It's not quite as bad in public schools, but private colleges are pretty bad.

[Tennsix]

I'm interviewing next week for a Campus Security position at a private college and I'm also on the eligibility list for the State University Police. I'm wondering in anyone can give a general idea of what these sort of positions are like to work.

I am a police officer with a state university law enforcment agency. We operate the same as any other PD and we have a security section that handles the traditional security assignments. I would be happy to talk with you, if I can be of any assistance.

[The Lord of the Keys]

Thanks for the offer. I really don't know enough about campus security to even ask the right questions. I scored very well on the civil service exam and so far have received 3 letters from state colleges asking if I'm still interested. Ithaca college wants me to interview so I'll see what happens. I'm just curious what type of work environment I'll find and maybe some idea what I might expect in the interview process.

[Tennsix]

Well, I don't know much about the security part of it. The public tend to think university/college police and security are the same thing. At my PD the two sections are vastly different. The police side is wholey law enforcement and functions as any other police agency. I can tell you more about that side of it. There a few guys on here that work university/college sceurity. They could tell you more about that part of it.

[The Lord of the Keys]

I'd rather get into the LE side. I know that both the pay and benefits would be better. Also I'm 36 so If I'm going to try it, it will have to be soon. I like security but I can't raise a family on it's general pay. I have a BA but no military experience so I figure even to advance to a better paying security career I'll need some LE experience. Besides all the universities I've looked at offer some free credit and I'm about half way through my MA.

[Tennsix]

PM me. we can talk more, if you would like.

[ycaso77]

At the University I work at we have seperate security and police departments. Different command structure, budgets, hiring and headquaters. The police do traditional LE work on campus and surrounding areas. Security handles physical security ( locks, alarm systems, card access and cctv), project management for new bldgs and refurbishing, bldg and area security posts and patrols, bike patrols, vehicle assists, lock outs- you name it. We also have a 3 seperate dispatch centers for transit/escort dispatch, cultural properties monitoring and a Central Station for burg/fire/every other alarm dispatch. Security actually dispatches the pd and fire and gets paid more than the PD dispatchers.

We actually inherited many of the tasks the PD used to do, and theres twice as many security personnel as police. Granted the PD start at a much higher salary than security, but with o/t it all equals out. There have been rumors of combining our two departments but I doubt it would ever happen. There are also several small autonomous security departments who will be absorbed before too much longer. Which is better? Depends on what you're looking for and your career ambitions. Pay wise its definitely police but we get the same benefits and are granted the same rights as the union members. We/re ever expanding and theres constantly new positions to advance yourself. As long as you're happy in your choice you win at the end of the day.

[knotquiteawake]

Work in a combination type department. We arn't just security but we arn't sworn Peace Officers
my duties include:
Visual Crime deterrence (being visible)
Responding to Crime in progress and cold calls
giving safety escourts
responding to fire alarms
locking/unlocking buidings as per the Campus Coordination List (although, usually student workers take care of this job).
enforcing the traffic rules on campus
responding to student disturbances
logging lost and found

pretty much all that kind of stuff. Its a good job, great benefits, Students in general are fun to work with and around. You never know what they are going to do next.

Just a couple weeks ago and couple guys ran onto a girls dorm floor and let loose an opossum that we had to catch and get out of the dorm. Security Cameras saw the guys come in, and besides that, there is only one guy on campus who is known to mess around with opossums.

so yeah, campus safety might be a really nice change from corp sec.

[Jackhole]

Thanks for the offer. I really don't know enough about campus security to even ask the right questions. I scored very well on the civil service exam and so far have received 3 letters from state colleges asking if I'm still interested. Ithaca college wants me to interview so I'll see what happens. I'm just curious what type of work environment I'll find and maybe some idea what I might expect in the interview process.

Are you sure it was a civil service test? Ithaca is a private college, they can't administer or hire off of civil service lists.

Also, if you're 36, you're 1 year too old to be a police officer in NY. That's for muncipal agencies though, I'm not sure of the age requirement for UPD.

[N. A. Corbier]

Work in a combination type department. We arn't just security but we arn't sworn Peace Officers
my duties include:
Visual Crime deterrence (being visible)
Responding to Crime in progress and cold calls
giving safety escourts
responding to fire alarms
locking/unlocking buidings as per the Campus Coordination List (although, usually student workers take care of this job).
enforcing the traffic rules on campus
responding to student disturbances
logging lost and found

pretty much all that kind of stuff. Its a good job, great benefits, Students in general are fun to work with and around. You never know what they are going to do next.

Just a couple weeks ago and couple guys ran onto a girls dorm floor and let loose an opossum that we had to catch and get out of the dorm. Security Cameras saw the guys come in, and besides that, there is only one guy on campus who is known to mess around with opossums.

so yeah, campus safety might be a really nice change from corp sec.

Um, that would fall under the definition of security from where I'm from. Your not making any arrests under authority of the state, are you? Citizens who are not subject to the rules of the college aren't lawfully required to follow your orders, are they?

That's the lithmus test for a police officer. EVERYONE has to follow a police officer's lawful order, private or public property. Everyone has to follow the lawful order of the property owner - or leave the private property.

[The Lord of the Keys]

The civil service test I took was for the State University System. I've received letters from several of them asking if I am still interested and I'm waiting to get an interview. The interview I have lined up with Ithaca is completely different. I've been sending my resume just about everywhere.

[HotelSecurity]

Um, that would fall under the definition of security from where I'm from. Your not making any arrests under authority of the state, are you? Citizens who are not subject to the rules of the college aren't lawfully required to follow your orders, are they?

That's the lithmus test for a police officer. EVERYONE has to follow a police officer's lawful order, private or public property. Everyone has to follow the lawful order of the property owner - or leave the private property.

I agree with Nathan on this one! Except for the traffic functions I do the same in the hotels & I'm Security nothing less, nothing more. Oh & we also program, repair & administer the electronic locks. We also supervise the Mini Bar Attendant & Receiving Clerk. In the past we supervised the garage staff & Lifeguards.