Public Safety

Welcome to the York College Office of Public Safety — where safety meets service with purpose. We’re not just a department; we’re your dedicated partners in creating a campus environment that feels safe, inclusive, and supportive for everyone.

Our Mission
To protect and serve the York College community with professionalism, integrity, and compassion—ensuring every student, faculty member, and visitor feels secure, respected, and supported.

Our Vision
A campus where safety is not just a service but a shared value. We envision a community built on trust, accessibility, and proactive engagement, where every member has the freedom to learn, grow, and thrive.

How We Got Here
The CUNY Public Safety Department was established in 1991, uniting all 25 CUNY campuses under one mission: to provide a safe, welcoming space for higher education. At York College, we continue that mission through a blend of training, community-focused service, and a strong connection to our students and staff.

Our Officers: Who’s Who in Blue

• Campus Peace Officers (CPOs)
  Sworn New York State Law Enforcement Officers, our CPOs are trained at the CUNY Public Safety Academy for approx. five months and have law enforcement authority across New York State. They handle emergencies, traffic control, conduct investigations, have powers of arrest, enforce laws, provide first aid, CPR, conduct safety trainings, and respond to incidents on campus. You’ll spot them in navy-blue uniforms—dedicated professionals keeping our campus safe.

• Campus Security Assistants (CSAs)
  CSAs are NYS Security Officers and are a key part of our team. They provide a welcoming presence, assist with access control, medical emergencies, aid in administrative duties and help deter unwanted activity. While they do not have arrest authority like CUNY Peace Officers do, their presence is essential to maintaining a secure and supportive environment. Look for their light blue shirts and approachable demeanor.

More Than Just Security

From emergency response to community workshops on safety and preparedness, our team is here to support and serve. Many of us are CUNY graduates or York alum, and we understand the importance of a campus where people feel both safe, seen and heard.

Stop by the Public Safety Office in Academic Core 1M02 or call 718-262-2222.

York College Public Safety — Here for you, 24/7/365.

CUNY York College Public Safety recognizes that officer well-being is essential to both their health and their ability to serve effectively. Law enforcement officers face high levels of stress, anxiety, PTSD, and depression, which is why York College Public Safety will participate in the Strive to Thrive Officer Wellness Program starting in 2025. This nationally recognized program equips first responders with essential tools for mental resilience, physical health, stress management, and emotional well-being. Officers will receive training on managing job-related trauma, improving sleep, nutrition, and fitness, and building strong support systems. York College Public Safety Officers will have the opportunity to participate in this free program on a voluntary basis.

Below are links to several resources, fun activities, and helpful tips to support our Officer's well being:

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

CUNY Faculty & Staff Support Portal

LMHF Strive to Thrive

Adopt A Cop BJJ Fitness Program

NY Beyond The Badge USA

Valor Officer Safety & Wellness Program

SafeHorizon

New York Drug & Alcohol Rehab Centers

Financial Health

We recognize that trust and legitimacy are critical to effective policing. We work to ensure that our officers operate with integrity, accountability, and transparency. Our policies and procedures are regularly reviewed and updated to reflect best practices and community expectations. We maintain a daily crime log for campus activity that our community can review at the Public Safety Office.

We are committed to upholding the law and protecting the rights of all individuals. Our policies and practices are based on the highest standards of professional conduct and are in line with local and national guidelines.

The publication of our Annual Security Report is a means of sharing with you our security policies and crime statistics for the most recent three-year period. In compliance with the 1990 Clery Act, this information must be disseminated annually to all students and employees.

To learn more about Clery please visit the U.S. Department of Education

Technology is a crucial tool for modern law enforcement. Our goals include obtaining the latest tools to enhance our effectiveness and efficiency, such as body-worn cameras, access control, state-of-the-art security cameras, and additional automated services to provide added safety and convenience to our community. We will also use social media like the Cardinal App and YC Regroup to communicate with our community, share important information, and gather feedback. Follow us on Twitter: Public Safety York @CUNYYCPS

Our crime prevention approach is centered around community partnership. We work closely with campus community members to detect and tackle crime and safety issues. Furthermore, we team up with other agencies and organizations to create effective prevention and intervention tactics. Our policing is evidence-based and data-driven, which includes prioritizing patrols in areas with high activity through focused patrols. Although we do not overlook random patrol functions, we concentrate our efforts on areas with high activity to prevent and deter crime and address other safety concerns.

Our officers undergo thorough and ongoing training to ensure that they are equipped with the latest knowledge and skills needed to serve our community. We aim to offer collaborative educational experiences to help our community better understand Public Safety’s role and how to work together to prevent crime and build a stronger, safer campus together. Officer-led community-facing training will include, Stop the Bleed, CPR, First Aid, and AED, lock down and evacuation drills, office safety trainings, and leadership discussions.