The Boston College Police Department works to assure the safety of all University students, faculty, staff and visitors.
Boston College has 51 highly trained, professional police officers. Each police officer graduated from a 22-week police academy and has completed crisis intervention and Homeland Security training. All of our officers are required to undertake emergency preparedness, hazardous materials-response and firearms training annually.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts grants police authority to BC officers, giving them the same authority and powers as local or state police in or upon the lands and structures owned, used or occupied by the University. Additionally, Boston College police officers have deputy sheriff powers for use in off-campus situations.
Officers are trained at approved Police Academies and are certified in first aid and defib cardiac pulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Additionally, 18 officers also qualify as EMTs. All officers receive additional hours of specialized training each year to keep them current with changing trends and developments in law enforcement and emergency medical services.
Boston College Police work closely with Boston, Brookline, Newton and Massachusetts State Police and are part of the Boston Area Police Emergency Response Network, which enables BC to call upon these departments as needed.
Though Boston College is a safe environment, BCPD urges members of the community to become involved in personal safety on and off campus. Throughout the year, officers conduct seminars and other community service activities to keep the students, faculty and staff aware of issues on and around campus. For example, "BC Safe" is a mandatory program designed for first-year students on safety and wellness issues presented by the BC Police Dept., Fire Safety and Boston Police.
In addition, BCPD offers a list of safety tips:
http://www.bc.edu/offices/bcpd/prevention/eagleeye/
