Patrol Division

The uniformed Patrol Division is the most highly visible component of the department. Working twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, the patrol division represents the bulk of the department's staffing.

The objectives of the Patrol Division are to:

• Execute the law enforcement responsibilities of the department through preventive patrol and active enforcement of criminal and traffic laws on campus;
• Perform a variety of diverse services for the campus including enforcement, general assistance, emergency assistance, public information and directions, alleviating public hazards;
• Effectively patrol the campus;
• Provide general law enforcement services and assistance to the Yale community.

The members of the Patrol Division work in partnership with the Yale and New Haven communities, the New Haven Police Department and various law enforcement and social service agencies in providing their high quality service.

The Division is led by the Patrol Coordinator, who reports to the Chief and is responsible for all uniformed functions of the department. The bicycle and motorcycle units, scheduling, special events, payroll, worker's compensation and fleet management are all supportive functions under the Patrol Coordinator.

The Assistant Patrol Coordinator is a civilian responsible for scheduling, special events, payroll and worker's compensation. The Assistant Patrol Coordinator works with the Patrol Coordinator and Shift Commanders to ensure that sufficient staffing is available to meet the department's responsibilities.

Shift Commanders are Lieutenants assigned to each of the department's primary patrol shifts who are responsible for the general supervision and command of all department personnel assigned to their shift. Shift Commanders report to the Chief through the Patrol Coordinator, consulting with and informing the Coordinator of all activities, problems or issues pertinent to their shift. Sergeants are assigned to each primary patrol shift as Patrol Supervisors. They are responsible for the general supervision and command of uniformed officers assigned to their respective shifts. They respond to incidents to supervise and guide the police officers under their command.

The responsibilities of the Patrol Division are allocated between two primary units. The Patrol Division is comprised of uniformed police officers assigned to motor vehicle or foot patrol in designated areas (beats). The Patrol Division is responsible for the bulk of police services rendered by the department.

The Motorcycle, Segway and Bicycle Units are comprised of specially trained police officers assigned to motorcycle, Segway Personal Transporter or bicycle patrol. Members of these units are highly visible on campus, supplementing the functions of the Patrol Unit. Motorcycles, Personal Transporters and bicycles are especially advantageous in an urban campus environment because they provide greater versatility and mobility in general patrol and response to emergencies. The mission of these specialized units is to enhance the safety and security of the community by concentrating on areas of vulnerability and addressing "quality of life" issues.

Yale University Police Officers are selected and certified in accordance with the statutes of the State of Connecticut and the Standards enacted by the Police Officer Standards and Training Council.

Communications Division

The Yale University Police Communications Division is a full service emergency communications center operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. As a frequent point of first contact with the Yale community, dispatchers receive reports of crime, emergencies and requests for information from the campus community. Police, fire, ambulance and other emergency services are dispatched, as appropriate.

The Communications Center is located at Police Headquarters, at 101 Ashmun St.  The Communications Division is led by a Sergeant/Communications Coordinator who is responsible for general supervision and operation of all communication needs of the department.

Training Division

Each Yale Police Officer receives Basic Recruit Training in excess of 818 hours followed by ten weeks of supervised Field Training under the supervision of specially trained Field Training Officers. All Yale University Police Officers must maintain their certification throughout their careers and receive additional training through in-service training programs sponsored by the department or other Local, State or Federal agencies.

The Yale University Police Department maintains a full time Training Unit which is run by the Training and Professional Development Coordinator.  This Sergeant makes sure that the Officers maintain their required training credentials to be a sworn law enforcement agent.  In addition, the Lieutenant provides additional training to the personnel in an effort to expand the department's knowledge on topics related to campus law enforcement.

Investigative Services Unit

The Investigative Services Unit is responsible for the investigation of serious crimes such as assault, sexual assault, robbery, substantial larcenies and burglaries. The unit is also responsible for administering the victim services, crime scene processing, evidence and threat assessment/management functions of the department.

The unit is led by a Lieutenant assigned as the Investigative Services Coordinator. The Lieutenant is responsible for overall supervision of the unit's activities. The Coordinator's duties include maintaining liaison with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, and courts and social service agencies.

The Investigative Services Coordinator is assisted by a Sergeant assigned as the Executive Officer. The Sergeant is responsible for supporting the coordinator in the efficient operation of the unit. The Assistant Coordinator is an investigator and is responsible for the supervision and for conducting criminal and administrative investigations assigned by the Coordinator or the Chief. The Assistant Coordinator, who normally works the evening shift, is also responsible for the administration of the victim services program.

Five Detectives are assigned to the unit. They are responsible for conducting initial and follow-up criminal and administrative investigations as well as developing sources of intelligence and information.

Investigative Services personnel review and analyze reports, records and the results of laboratory examinations; conduct follow-up interviews and interrogations; seek additional information from officers, witnesses, victims, complainants and other law enforcement agencies; plan, organize and conduct searches and collect physical evidence; identify and apprehend suspects; prepare arrest and search and seizure warrants; prepare cases for court presentation in conjunction with the State's Attorney's Office and develop informant and intelligence information.

ITS Unit

The computer is an integral part of police work in the new millennium and that role will only increase as technologies advance. The goal of the Information Technology Services Unit is to provide and maintain state-of-the-art computer hardware and software resources to assist members of the Department in working efficiently, effectively, and most importantly, safely.

High-quality hardware and software along with powerful connectivity allow officers in the office and out in the field to access vital information resources. Mobile Data Computers (MDC) mounted in all patrol cruisers give officers immediate access to motor vehicle, driver's license and wanted person checks along with Police Dispatch information (CAD). Workstations and laptop computers are also utilized throughout the Yale University Police Department. They are used to produce case incident reports, conduct statistical analysis, access organization databases, and manage the volumes of information a modern police department is faced with every day.

The ITS Unit is headed by a Director of ITS who is assisted by a Computer Support Specialist. The Director of Information Technology Services is responsible for the maintenance of the department's computerized information systems and links to the entire law enforcement information network. He is additionally responsible for liaison with outside providers and vendors, as well as research and investigation into the design and implementation of hardware and software enhancements.

The ITS Unit's responsibilities include researching new technologies in search of tools that can benefit the officers and command staff in the performance of their duties. Responsibilities also include purchasing hardware and software, systems operation and maintenance, network design and maintenance, establishing security controls, providing technical support when needed and overseeing ITS projects.

Administrative Services

The Administrative Services Unit provides support for the operational components of the department through such functions as personnel, recruitment, labor relations, strategic planning and analysis.

The unit is staffed by the Assistant Chief, a Lieutenant who is the Personnel and Labor Relations Coordinator and a civilian Director of Strategic Planning.

The Assistant Chief reports to the Chief of Police and assists him in planning, implementation, and direction of programs, activities and personnel of the Department. The Assistant Chief oversees and manages the divisions that make up the operations portion of the department, with specific responsibilities to include Patrol, Investigative Services, Communications and Training. The Assistant Chief, while providing executive oversight of these divisions, must analyze and oversee the divisions through determination of the division’s goals and objectives and implementation of new practices.

The Personnel and Labor Relations Coordinator is a Lieutenant who reports to the Chief of Police. The Personnel and Labor Relations Coordinator oversees and manages the administrative component of the department to include personnel, staffing and recruitment, fiscal management, strategic planning and research, crimes analysis and information technology services. The Personnel and Labor Relations Coordinator is also responsible for ongoing labor relations issues as well as the department's statistical reporting requirements under state and federal law.

The Director of Strategic Analysis is a civilian who reports to the Chief of Police. The Director is responsible for crime analysis and the development of prevention strategies along with strategic planning and budgeting.

Victim Services

The Victim Services function of the Yale University Police Department is designed to offer help and support to victims of crime. Victim Services are provided and facilitated by the Investigative Services Unit.  The Unit acts as liaison with the State's Office of Victim Services, which administers the Victim Compensation Program. The Investigative Services Unit works with the courts on behalf of the victims, keeping the victim informed on the proceedings, and counseling the victim on his or her rights.

For more information on the Yale University Police Department's Victim Services program, please contact the Yale Police at 203-432-4400.

For more information on the State's Victim Compensation Fund, please contact the Office of Victim Services for the State of Connecticut at:
1-888-286-7347
860-263-2761 (outside Connecticut)
TDD 860-263-2779
or
Visit the Office of Victim Services website
View Crisis Hotline numbers for your area

Sensitive Crimes & Support

The Sensitive Crimes & Support Coordinator is dedicated to assisting victims of and investigating cases of sexual violence, harassment, assault, violence against women and other crimes of sexual misconduct including stalking, intimate partner violence, and workplace violence. As a liaison between victims of these crimes and the Yale Police Department, the coordinator interfaces with the Sexual Harassment and Assault Response & Education Center (SHARE), Title IX coordinators, and the University-wide Committee on Sexual Harassment (UWC). This officer also works closely with the Women’s Center, the Yale College Deans office, and the New Haven County Prosecutors office.  The coordinator supports programs and initiatives aimed at creating awareness and crime prevention. To reach the coordinator, call 203-432-9547.