School Resource Officer
The Florida Atlantic Police Department’s School Resource Officer (SRO) Program places law enforcement officers in schools with the goal of creating and maintaining safe, secure, and orderly learning environments for students, teachers and staff. Alexander D. Henderson University School and FAU High School are a combined public school district functioning as a laboratory school located on the campus of Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida. There are approximately 950 students in grades K-12 that attend.
The Florida Atlantic Police Department’s SRO Program currently places full-time officers in the schools to work closely with educators to develop plans to prevent or reduce dangerous situations in our schools by the facilitation of campus safety, security technology and the Violence Intervention Techniques and Language (VITAL) Program. The Vital Program is an initiative of the School District of Palm Beach County Police Department to train staff members in control procedures and defensive strategies to help promote and ensure a safe school environment. Our SROs are assigned to a school on a long-term basis and are trained to perform three major roles: law enforcement officer, law-related counselor, and law-related educator. The Florida Atlantic Police Department’s SROs serve as role models with good communication skills to convey the correct messages to our young people.
K-9 Unit
The Florida Atlantic Police Department employs a K-9 team specializing in explosive detection, firearm detection, apprehension, and therapy in response to the need for heightened security at many special events held on the university campus. Additionally, our K-9 team is available to assist local law enforcement with specialized operations upon request.
K9 Kaja is a Red Fox Labrador Retriever from Mexico! K9 Kaja works at Florida Atlantic University Police Department as the explosive detection K-9 alongside his handler Sgt. Robinson. You’ve probably seen K9 Kaja walking as he sniffs his way around campus or on our Police Department’s social media. K9 Kaja loves his job and his main goal is to keep everyone safe and make everyone smile.
Some of K9 Kaja's favorite things are treats, belly rubs, chew toys, and playing at home with his sister Emery.
K9 Konan is a German Shepard who was born in Czechoslovakia. He works at FAUPD as a dual purpose K9 specializing in Patrol and Explosive Detection. On his days off, K9 Konan enjoys long walks with his dad, Ofc. Adkins, playing with his Kong, and peanut flavored treats!
Training
The Florida Atlantic Police Department strives to achieve professional accountability at the highest level. We strive to be the model University Police Department in the State of Florida and as such we are currently pursuing accreditation through the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA).
This section is responsible for:
- Maintaining and controlling all critical need training mandated by the state and local law enforcement entities.
- Maintaining all training documents and certifications in the Power Document Management System (PowerDMS) and ATMS.
- Maintaining all uniform, supplies and equipment to include fleet and emergency operations.
- The Department’s voluntary accreditation through the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators.
- Coordinates and compiles data using the Performance Measures matrix for Command Staff meetings.
- Maintains and updates Departmental policies.
- Ensures Departmental compliance with Clery requirements and publishes the Annual Security Report (ASR).
- Maintains all official reports and documents pertaining to police matters on all campuses.
- Submits required reports for UCR.
- Submits required reports to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE).
INVESTIGATIONS
The Florida Atlantic Police Department’s Bureau of Investigations is staffed by sworn and non-sworn personnel. It is commanded by a Captain and is comprised of Detectives, a Mental Health Clinician, a Crime Analyst, Cyber Analysts, and an Evidence Custodian. The Bureau is responsible for conducting criminal investigations, special investigations, internal affairs and citizen complaints, crime/threat analysis, pre-employment background checks for the police department, and evidence and property storage.
Motorcycle Unit
The Motorcycle Unit has a focus of traffic enforcement but more importantly, promotes driver safety education by attending various University events that are held throughout the year. Motorcycle Officers are required to possess certifications and receive extensive training in addition to standard law enforcement training requirements. Officers qualified for the Motorcycle Unit are required to attend and successfully pass a four-week motorcycle training program prior to assignment to the Motorcycle Unit. After completion of the training program, Motorcycle Officers are required to attend follow-up training to maintain proficiency.
Community Service Officer Program
The Boca Raton Campus of Florida Atlantic University is staffed with non-sworn, part time Community Service Officers (CSOs). These personnel supplement the Department’s patrol function by responding to security related calls for service and to maintain a high visibility while on security patrol of parking lots and buildings. For example, battery boosts, vehicle lockouts and residence halls patrols are conducted by Community Service Officers. This program is composed of all student employees. Students gain invaluable experience in this stepping stone program to a career in law enforcement. The CSOs are being mentored and molded into future criminal justice career minded citizens. Involving them in the process of crime prevention and community affairs meetings will increase their investment in this Department and the University as a whole.
For more information about the CSO Program, email: faupd_cso@bjrujiabj.com