University Police

New York State University Police at Purchase College
Chief of Police: Dayton Tucker
Administrative: (914) 251-6905
Nonemergencies: (914) 251-6900

Emergency (24 hours): (914) 251-6911 or 911
Weather Emergency Recording: (914) 251-7500

Emergency Response Reference Guide
Active Shooter Training (University Police video on Facebook)

The entrance to the University Police headquarters is located at the Lincoln Avenue underpass.

The personal safety of students, faculty, staff, and visitors is of the highest importance to Purchase College and its University Police. The University Police provides 24-hour patrol protection to all buildings, residence halls, parking lots, and roadways. University Police officers are sworn police officers vested with full law-enforcement powers and responsibilities. The officers complete 21 weeks of basic training at the Rockland County Police Academy or at the Westchester County Police Academy and receive additional in-service and specialized training in first aid, defensive tactics, legal updates, evidence gathering, traffic investigations, etc.

The University Police also serves as a first responder to fire and medical assistance calls. All officers have been trained in emergency medical procedures and first aid, and some may be certified Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs).

Community Service Officers (CSOs) assist the campus community with courtesy escorts, unlocking doors, and engaging the community through outreach events. The CSOs are employed by the college and are identifiable by their khaki uniform with heliotrope accents.

ADA Accessibility

To communicate with a Police Officer, call the non-emergency number above and one will be dispatched to your location. To visit Police Headquarters, the entrance is located on Lincoln Avenue- North of the Humanities building. For accessing Police Headquarters, please take the elevator in the Social Science Building lobby to the basement level and follow the signs.

Any person may report potential criminal actions and other emergencies on campus by calling (914) 251-6911 or 911; to report anonymously, call (914) 251-6868. The University Police also has an online Silent Witness Form that can be submitted anonymously. Please refer to the following sections of this handbook for related information and resources:

In addition to a telephone in each student’s room, there are approximately 60 outdoor “blue light” emergency phones strategically located throughout the campus. These “blue light” phones are directly connected to the University Police dispatcher. Symbols on the Emergency Blue Light Phone Map show exactly where these devices are located.

Report all fires to the University Police at (914) 251-6911 (or 911) and become familiar with building evacuation procedures. Please refer to the more detailed Fire Safety section, under “Faculty Responsibilities: Health and Safety” in this handbook, for additional information.

Guidelines for Extraordinary Weather Conditions are available on the Human Resources site. Also refer to Cancellation of Classes for more information.

Purchase College employees are asked to sign up for emergency notification messages on the faculty/staff portal, under “Campus Resources” > “Employee Emergency Contacts.” You may add your cell phone number for emergency notifications (campus-wide emergencies) and information on the person you wish to have contacted in case of a personal emergency.

WAVES, a wide-area mass notification system, is designed to provide mass notification to the campus in case of natural disasters or other campus-wide emergencies. If an incident occurs, informational messages will be broadcast over a campus-wide outdoor audio system. WAVES is capable of broadcasting crystal-clear messages, sirens, and tones to the entire campus. In the future, digital messaging boards will be added to the system.