Police and Safety

Mercyhurst University and the Department of Police and Safety are committed to providing a safe living and learning environment for its campus community. We are continuously striving to build and maintain a high level of cooperation between the entire campus community in order to focus on crime prevention and problem solving through awareness and education. Our staff consists of sworn police officers with arrest powers. Many of our sworn officers are experienced former State, Municipal, or Township Police Officers.

We work around the clock to maintain a safe atmosphere for students, faculty, staff, and visitors alike.

Our Mission

Understanding that the primary purpose of Mercyhurst University is education, and that this department is an integral part of Mercyhurst University, the mission of the department of police and safety is to provide and maintain safety, security, and tranquility to and within the entire Mercyhurst community. To accomplish its mission, the Mercyhurst University department of police and safety perform both a law enforcement and security function within their jurisdiction. The diverse range of services provided by the Mercyhurst University department of police and safety includes, but is not limited to:

• Prevention, detection, and investigation of criminal activity.
• Protection of student, employee, visitor, and college property.
• Emergency response to medical incidents.
• Police and security response at events.
• Parking regulation enforcement, traffic control, and motorist assistance.
• General assistance to university students, employees, and visitors, as needed or when requested.
• Development of crime prevention programs for presentation to the university community.

Although the Mercyhurst University department of police and safety performs a law enforcement and security function, the department and its personnel strive to be viewed as advocates for, and not adversaries of the Mercyhurst University community, and strive further to maintain a professional, service-oriented attitude and philosophy.

Walk the Campus Safely

Police and Safety provides escorts to students, faculty and staff upon request and if certain circumstances are present. Students who have returned to campus late or feel unsafe walking through campus can request a police escort to their building, residence or vehicle.

To request an escort, call 814-824-3911 or use one of the campus emergency phones (Blue Light System).

Blue Light System 

Police and Safety offers a number of safety and security initiatives to create an environment where the educational process can take place relatively free from the fear of crime. One such crime prevention initiative is the Blue Light System. The Blue Light System is a series of emergency alarm stations located in several areas on campus to provide immediate assistance to anyone in distress. Each Blue Light tower is connected to a dedicated line within the Police and Safety Office.

Services, Staff, Clery Reports

The Department of Police and Safety is committed to providing a safe living and learning environment for the Mercyhurst University campus community. Students, faculty, and staff with concerns for their safety and/or security on campus are encouraged to contact the Department of Police & Safety immediately in person, or by calling (814) 824-3911. Emergency Blue Light Systems are strategically located in several areas on campus (include link to map). Please do not hesitate to use any means of contacting Police and Safety if you have a concern for your safety. The Department of Police and Safety is open 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year.

Our services include:

• Apartment/Room Lockouts
• Blue Light System
• Campus Patrols
• Clery Reports
• e2Campus (Emergency Text Alerts)
• Parking
• Police Escorts
• Vehicle Jump Starts
• Vehicle Lockouts
• Text Alert System

Police and Safety has the ability to blast text messages to thousands of people within minutes, through our e2Campus text alert system.

e2Campus, extends the reach of existing emergency notification measures like campus wide e-mails and Web page updates to alert students anywhere, anytime. The advantage of text over e-mail is that students are constantly checking their cell phones. It’s their mode of communication.

The e2Campus system can broadcast text messages to subscribers on all four campuses in just minutes. It will function with mobile phones, Blackberries, wireless PDAs and smart phones.

To receive the alerts from our e2Campus system, click here and following the instructions.

Parking Permits

All vehicles parked on campus are required to have a valid parking permit. All parking lots are color-coded. Temporary visitors can obtain a visitor permit available free of charge for a maximum of three days. Visitor permits may be obtained in the Police and Safety Office, which is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.