About Us

A Message to the Community
From Michael D. Soto, Director of Public Safety

Service - Respect - Resource - Partnership - Commitment

On behalf of the employees of the Portland State University's Public Safety Office, I would like to welcome you to the Internet home page for the Public Safety Office. Throughout these pages, you will find very useful information concerning personal safety, crime prevention tips, crime awareness education, and resources. It is our sincere hope that this information will be of benefit to you and assist you with having the best experience possible with the University as a student, faculty member, staff member or visitor. It is our mission to assist the campus community in providing a safe and secure experience in pursuing your education.

The PSU Public Safety Office works with the University community to:

  • Protect people at the University.
  • Educate our community about security issues, personal safety measures, and protective strategies.
  • Prevent disruption of University activities and misuse of premises.
  • Protection against theft or abuse.
  • Provide a visible, reassuring and readily accessible presence.
  • Foster beneficial community relations.
  • Response to criminal activities

The Public Safety Office reports to the Vice President for Finance & Administration. Additional information may be available by visiting the FADM website.

If you need assistance, please let us know and we will do our very best to provide you with the service that you would expect from a professional law enforcement agency. Then, please take time to fill out our Customer Satisfaction Form to comment on the service you received from our department and staff.

Thank you and we hope you have an enjoyable experience at Portland State University.

Mission, Responsibilities, Resources & Services

Our Five (5) Point Mission Definitions

  • Service: Public Safety is committed to meeting community expectations for public service, protection, and enforcement to ensure a safe and secure campus.
  • Respect: Public Safety supports the University mission by dealing equitably and openly with the community.
  • Resource: Public Safety provides the community with assistance, information, services, and referral in order to enhance their university experience.
  • Partnership: Public Safety partners with the community to develop problem solving strategies for campus livability issues.
  • Commitment: Public Safety is committed to help provide a successful, safe, and secure university experience for all community members.

Responsibilities

The primary responsibility of the Public Safety Office is to protect the Portland State University community by providing general assistance to visitors, employees, and others doing business or associated with the University, and to safeguard the vehicles, buildings, and property on campus.

Officers utilize arrest powers granted by Oregon Statues. Officers enforce all regulations and laws, of the University and the state of Oregon, as well as applicable city ordinances.

Resources & Services

The Public Safety Office is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week to respond to calls for assistance, campus incidents, building alarms, crimes, injuries or illnesses, safety hazards, coordination with local law enforcement, crowd control, building inspections, parking enforcement, and related activities.

If you have an emergency situation or need assistance, contact CPSO at:

  • Non-Emergency 503-725-4407
  • Emergency 503-725-4404

The Public Safety Office provides other resources and services, such as:

  • Police Services: Public Safety Officers perform law enforcement duties through complaint taking, investigations, arrests, and assisting a victim through the judicial process.
  • Parking: Information, guest passes, parking lot assistance and "jump starts" for dead batteries.
  • Special Events: Dances, sporting events, guest speakers, and university functions. The office can help provide crowd control, barricade set up, traffic control, vehicle assistance, and related officer assistance associated with the function.
  • Building Door Unlocks: Staff members without a key who need access to a building may request assistance after proper clearance or verification.
  • Escorts: Officers are available to assist and escort individuals who are on campus to their vehicles, buildings, or other University locations after normal business hours.
  • Lost and Found: The Public Safety Office is a lost-and-found station and receives periodic "turn in" of lost-and-found property. Check with us!
  • Crime Prevention/Safety Information: The office is available to access potential security or building problems or concerns as they impact you on campus. Information, brochures, and assistance with procedures or developing your ideas are available upon request.
  • Crime Prevention/Education: The Public Safety Office supports crime prevention through a number of activities. Uniformed officers and the office director provide various educational talks, workshops, and information exchanges throughout the academic year.
  • Property Registration: Register your personal property to receive it back quickly if retrieved, due to it being lost or stolen.

The office continues to develop programs and provides the following crime prevention services:

  • Resident Assistant Program: Campus Community Policing and residence leadership training.
  • University-wide Presentations: Preview Day, New Student Week, new student check-in, registration, summer orientation and pre-registration, Parent's Day, Party-in-the-Park.
  • Information: The Public Safety Office publishes online information, data, and pamphlets that are available to all students, faculty, and staff members. The office holds sessions on various topics upon request. Information is provided through workshops, films, bulletins, crime alerts, posters, brochures, and notices in the University newspaper. When crimes occur on campus we want the University community to be aware so they can take precautions and avoid being a victim. If you have information or questions, call us at 503-725-4407.
  • Targeted Safety Presentations: Listed below are departments/offices that requested 1 or more presentations.
    • International Student Groups
    • Freshmen Student Groups
    • Millar Library Staff
    • Engineering Department
    • College of Liberal Arts and Science (CLAS)
    • Mechanical and Materials Engineering Department
    • Athletics Department
    • Criminal Justice Department
    • Student Health and Counseling Services
    • Smith Center Staff
    • Graduate School of Social Work
    • USGS