Enforcement, Jurisdiction, and Arrest Authority
The Department of Public Safety (DPS) protects and preserves peace and good order on the property owned, leased, or rented by Loyola University Maryland. DPS officers are commissioned as special police officers by the governor and are vested under Maryland Public Safety Code § 3-302 with full law enforcement powers and jurisdiction on the property owned, leased, rented, or otherwise under the control of Loyola University Maryland. DPS officers enforce state and local laws as well as university conduct policies.
Officers have authority to apprehend and arrest anyone involved in illegal activity or violations of state and local criminal laws on its campuses. DPS does not enforce Maryland traffic laws. If a student commits offenses violating Loyola University’s rules, regulations, or Student Community Standards Handbook, DPS will refer the individual to the judicial process conducted by Loyola’s Student Development Division. In cooperation with local law enforcement agencies, any criminal activity engaged in by students at off-campus locations is monitored, recorded, and provided to Student Life for follow-up as required.
Local Police Agencies
The Department of Public Safety has established working relationships with local and state police including but not limited to:
- Baltimore City Police Department
- Baltimore County Police Department
- Howard County Police Department
- Alleghany County Sheriff Department
- Maryland State Police
In May 2019, DPS renewed its agreement with the Baltimore City Police Department (BPD) to hire “off-duty” Baltimore City Police Officers to provide additional coverage in and around campus. BPD officers are also scheduled for large campus events and help patrol areas close to campus where DPS does not have jurisdiction. BPD officers retain all their powers and responsibilities while in this capacity but work directly for Public Safety’s director.
In July 2019, the University entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Baltimore City and Baltimore County police departments to coordinate efforts during sexual assault investigations.
The Director of Public Safety reports to the Associate Vice President for Facilities and Risk Managment, who reports to the Vice President for Finance and Administration. The director is responsible for the achievement of Public Safety’s mission and is dedicated to implementing benchmark standards for campus law enforcement as established by the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA) in which the department holds membership.
If a Loyola student is involved in a criminal incident, DPS officers may assist with the investigation in cooperation with local police departments. DPS receives reports from local police departments concerning serious incidents occurring on campus or in the campuses' immediate neighborhoods and business areas. University officials will adjudicate local police agency information regarding Loyola student criminal incidents at off-campus locations. Loyola University does not currently recognize any non-campus student organizations. However, many students live in the neighborhoods surrounding Loyola. While BPD has primary jurisdiction in these areas, DPS can and does respond in an administrative capacity to student-related incidents that occur near campus. Baltimore City PD responds to any 911 emergency call for service made from the Evergreen and Belvedere campuses. All 911 emergency calls for service made from the Graduate Center campuses are forwarded to the appropriate county (Baltimore County Police or Howard County Police).
If a Loyola student studying abroad at Katholieke Universiteit in Leuven, Belgium is involved in a criminal incident, Leuven police are the jurisdictional authority and answer emergency calls made to 112. Loyola in Leuven is a single semester or full-year program. The program's resident faculty director provides administrative support, guidance, and safety advice to students participating in this program. Loyola leases residences at Katholieke Universiteit (K.U. Leuven) in Belgium. Leuven police have the primary jurisdiction in this area.