Authority
The University Police Division provides a high standard of public safety and assistance 24 hours a day for the protection of the University community. University police officers are vested with all the powers, authority and responsibilities of any police officer of the commonwealth on property owned or operated by the University.
Police officers provide a wide variety of law enforcement services including:
- Responding to calls for service
- Providing escorts and security to University property
- Conducting preliminary investigations
- Writing reports
- Controlling crowds and traffic during large events
These responsibilities are achieved in a variety of methods including foot patrol, bike patrol and a vehicle unit.
Jurisdiction
University police officer jurisdiction is defined by Pennsylvania Title 22, Pa.C.S.A. Detectives and private police, Section 501 (c), which states, "Such policemen, so appointed, shall severally possess and exercise all the powers of a police officer in this Commonwealth, in and upon, and in the immediate and adjacent vicinity of, the property of the corporation."
While University officer jurisdiction is limited to "the immediate and adjacent vicinity", Pennsylvania courts have ruled circumstances can extend this jurisdiction. Such circumstances include "pursuits," when an officer is actively pursuing a suspect. The severity of a crime witnessed by an officer can also have an effect on jurisdiction. When in doubt, University officers will request Pittsburgh police assistance or intervention.