Mission, Vision and Values

To be a leading authority in urban public safety and campus policing, grounded in our core values and driven by innovative solutions that inspire trust and safety within our community.

The mission of the University of Cincinnati Department of Public Safety is to cultivate a safe and secure campus environment where academic excellence and teamwork can flourish. We achieve this through innovative policing, effective security measures, emergency communication dispatching, access control, emergency management, business continuity, and fire safety. Our commitment to service is rooted in compassion, treating all individuals—including ourselves—with dignity and respect. We collaborate to solve problems, enforce laws and university policies fairly and impartially, and foster a positive and supportive work environment. We invest substantially in the training and education of our personnel to enhance the quality of our service. Our decisions are ethical, constitutional, and respectful of individual rights and community interests.

We fulfill our vision and mission through our commitment to the following core values:

Transparency: We build trust with our community through transparent actions, openly sharing information, and educating the public about safety, crime patterns, and prevention methods while respecting confidentiality.

Legitimacy: We earn community trust through our legitimate actions, representing the people we serve and fostering a culture of excellence by ensuring fairness and respect. We perform our duties to the highest standards, uphold integrity, and provide leadership, especially during times of crisis.

Fairness: We deliver quality service through fairness and impartiality in our decision-making. We treat all individuals with dignity, empathy, and respect, basing our decisions on legal principles and facts, free from bias related to race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, citizenship status, or other differences.

Collaboration: We strengthen community partnerships through engagement and a shared commitment to serving others. We involve the community in problem-solving and foster a culture of shared responsibility for public safety, actively seeking feedback on our performance and recognizing the vital role of community involvement.

Accountability: We build trust by holding ourselves accountable for our actions. We adhere to laws and departmental policies, welcome guidance, and maintain professionalism. When we fall short, we take corrective action and incorporate community oversight into our accountability mechanisms, valuing external perspectives.

Innovation: We enhance our efforts by embracing innovation in all forms. We adapt to current conditions with flexible, up-to-date solutions rather than relying on outdated methods. We pursue continuous improvement through advanced education, training, and skills development. By employing evidence-based strategies and regularly assessing our practices and outcomes, we invest in state-of-the-art training and technology to support public safety, problem-solving, and community policing. We are dedicated to advancing our agency through creativity and innovation.