Safety & Security
Dedicated to Campus Safety & Community Protection
Florida Poly’s University Police Department is dedicated to keeping our campus safe with 24/7 patrols, emergency response, and community-focused services that ensure a secure environment for all students, faculty, staff, and visitors. Accredited by the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation, the department is committed to community policing and fair, unbiased service.
The department includes full-time sworn officers and administrative staff. Officers are state-certified, complete mandatory annual training in contemporary policing topics, and have jurisdiction over all university-owned property. They also work in coordination with the Lakeland Police Department and Polk County Sheriff’s Office. Because the University’s main campus is within Lakeland city limits, all 911 calls are routed through Lakeland Police Dispatch and then transferred to the Florida Poly Police Department as needed.
Office Hours
Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
863-874-8472 (non-emergency)
911 (emergency)
Safety Resources
Blue Light Emergency Phones
Located across campus and provide a direct, instant connection to an emergency dispatcher with the push of a button, offering quick assistance in any emergency.
Florida Poly Alerts
Notify students, faculty, and staff of emergencies, weather alerts, and important campus updates via voice messages and text messages.
Register for Alerts
For Staff/Faculty:
- Login to Workday.
- View your Profile and click the “Contacts” section.
- Go to the Emergency Alerts tab and click “Edit Home Contact Info.”
- Scroll down to “Additional Phone” and edit/add an emergency alert phone number. Verify and submit it.
For additional step by step details, please click here.
For Unregistered Students:
- Login to CAMS.
- Go to the top left and find the Menu under Full Name and Student ID.
- Click “Administrative Services” dropdown and select “Registration.”
- Complete the required forms.
For additional step by step details, please click here.
For Registered Students:
- Login to CAMS.
- Go to the top left and find the Menu under Full Name and Student ID.
- Click “Administrative Services” dropdown and select “Campus Alerts & Emergency Contacts.”
- Update and verify any changes.
For additional step by step details, please click here.
Florida Poly PhoenixSafe App
Notify students, faculty, and staff of emergencies, weather alerts, and important campus updates via voice messages and text messages.
Anonymous Witness
Sometimes it just takes one tip to solve or prevent a crime. If you are aware of information regarding criminal activity or other suspicious matters on campus let the Police Department know.
Person of Concern/Non-Urgent Incident Report
To report a person of concern or a non-urgent incident fill out the online form. If this is an emergency or needs to be addressed immediately, call 911.
Operation Identification
Operation Identification is a nationally recognized theft prevention and property recovery program offered free to all Florida Poly students and employees. By marking your valuables with a personalized identification number (PIN), you increase your chances of recovering stolen property and help deter theft on campus.
What Can You Protect?
What Can You Protect?
- Laptops and tablets
- Cell phones
- Bicycles
- Lab equipment
- Cameras and tech gear
- Tools, TVs, radios, and other portable electronics
If it has a hard surface, it can be engraved!
Why It Works
Engraved property is harder to resell and easier to recover. Police departments can trace marked items through the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), making stolen goods identifiable across jurisdictions. Items without owner identification may never be returned—even if recovered.
How to Get Started
Step 1: Create Your PIN
- Use your driver’s license number followed by your state abbreviation (e.g., FL123456789).
- Never use your Social Security number—it poses a risk of identity theft and cannot be traced by law enforcement.
Step 2: Engrave Your Items
- Visit the University Police Department to have your items engraved or borrow an engraver to use yourself.
- Engrave your PIN visibly and add a second hidden engraving for extra security.
- If engraving would reduce an item’s value, take clear photos and document its serial number, model, and unique features.
Step 3: Record Your Inventory
Keep a personal inventory list of all marked items, including:
- Item name and description
- Make, model, and serial number
- PIN used and engraving locations
Store your inventory list and photos in a secure place. This documentation is essential for police reports or insurance claims.
Step 4: Register Your Items
After marking your valuables, complete the Operation Identification Form to register your property with the University Police Department.
Questions or Need Help?
Contact the University Police Department
863-874-8472 | police@floridapoly.edu
Safety Procedures
Active Assailant Emergency Information
The University Police Department offers the following steps to take in the event of an active assailant incident.
Secure Immediate Area:
- Lock and barricade doors.
- Turn off lights.
- Close blinds.
- Turn off radios and computer monitors.
- Keep people in the room calm, quiet and out of sight.
- Keep yourself out of sight and take adequate cover and protection (i.e. concrete walls, thick desks, filing cabinets). Cover may protect you from bullets.
- Silence all cell phones.
- Place signs in exterior windows to identify the location of injured persons.
Un-Securing an Area:
- Consider the risks before un-securing rooms.
- Remember, the shooter will not stop until he/she is engaged by an outside source.
- Attempts to rescue people should only be made if it can be accomplished without further endangering the people inside a secured area.
- If the safety of individuals inside a room is at risk, the area should remain secured.
Contacting Authorities:
- Emergency: 911
- University Police: (863) 874-8472
What to Report:
- Your specific location, including building name and office/room number
- Number of people at your specific location
- Injuries – number of injured and types of injuries
- Assailant(s):
- Location
- Number of suspects
- Race
- Gender
- Clothing description
- Physical features
- Additional Information:
- Types of weapon(s) (e.g. long gun or handgun)
- Shooter’s Identity (if already known)
- Explosions
Police Response:
Here are the priorities of responding police:
- Immediately isolate/engage assailant(s)
- Evacuate victims
- Facilitate follow-up medical care, interviews, counseling, etc.
- Investigation
Sexual Offender Procedure
Notification/Publication Procedure
Federal and state law requires a person designated as a sexual predator or offender to register with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). FDLE is then required to notify the local law enforcement agency where the registrant lives, or attends or is employed by an institution of higher learning.
The University shall include in its publications to students and employees information that will advise the campus community on how to obtain information on sexual predators or offenders from the local law enforcement agency with jurisdiction for the particular campus, by calling the FDLE hotline or by visiting the FDLE website.
When a law enforcement agency notifies the University that a sexual predator or sexual offender is enrolled, planning to enroll, or carrying on a vocation at the University, such notification shall be delivered to the attention of the President, who shall then deliver it to the Provost or designee and Director of Human Resources. The Provost or designee will notify the Chief of Police, who will in turn initiate an information check on the student or employee.
The University will take the following action after receiving notification from law enforcement:
- If the offender is a student, the Director of Student Affairs will meet with him/her with the understanding that the conference will be conducted in private. The student sexual offender will be advised of the need to comply with the student conduct and rights and responsibilities provisions consistent with all students. Failure to comply will result in disciplinary action. The Director of Student Affairs will consult with the Provost as to whether further action or notification is needed.
- If the offender is an employee, the Director of Human Resources will advise the employee that he/she is required to comply with the law and university rules and procedures. Failure to comply will result in disciplinary action in accordance with University Policy.
- Further, formal actions shall provide that for any on-campus disciplinary action wherein there is an allegation of sexual misconduct, (1) the accuser and the accused are entitled to the same due process as other campus disciplinary proceedings; and (2) both the accuser and the accused shall be informed of the outcome of any campus disciplinary proceeding brought alleging sexual misconduct.
Any person who materially alters or distributes this public records information with the intent to misrepresent the information, including documents, summaries of public records information provided by law enforcement agencies, or public records information displayed by law enforcement agencies on websites or provided through other means of communication, shall be subject to college disciplinary procedures.
The University shall, from time to time, provide occasional programs to promote the awareness of rape, acquaintance rape and other sex offenses.
For more information visit Florida Sexual Offenders and Predators or call one of the following information lines:
Toll-free: 1-888-357-7332 (Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., EST)
Main Line: (850) 410-8572
Hazing Prevention & Reporting
Florida Poly is committed to maintaining a safe, respectful, and inclusive campus community. As part of this commitment, all new students are required to complete an online Hazing Prevention course before the start of classes each August.
This 45-minute course equips students with the knowledge to recognize, prevent, and report hazing. It can be accessed using your Florida Poly username and password and is mandated by Florida state law and University Policy 3.00611: Anti-Hazing Policy.
Report Hazing
Hazing has no place at Florida Poly. Any individual—whether a student, faculty or staff member, parent, friend, or community member—can report suspected hazing.
If you have witnessed or have knowledge of a potential hazing incident, please report it immediately using the Hazing Reporting Form. The accuracy and detail of your report help us take appropriate action to protect students and uphold our community standards.
Note: While anonymous reports are accepted, the University may be limited in its ability to respond unless sufficient verifiable information is provided.
Lightning Prediction Siren
Florida Poly has a Thor Guard Lightning Prediction System, which sounds ONE 15-second blast of horns. A yellow strobe will begin to flash until safe conditions return. You should immediately seek an appropriate, safe shelter. You may resume activities only after THREE five-second blasts of the horn are sounded and the yellow strobe light stops flashing.
Training Opportunities
Active Assailant Training
This course covers what actions you should take in the event of an active assailant and how to recognize a suspicious activity. All new students and employees receive this training as part of their orientation. The course is also available by request at any time throughout the year.
Crime Prevention Training
This class teaches students and employees how to keep their property safe. Topics include reporting a crime, safety tips, protecting the campus, and how to be a good witness. All new students and employees receive this training as part of their orientation. The course is also available by request at any time throughout the year.
Women’s Basic Self-Defense
S.A.F.E. (Self-defense Awareness and Familiarization Exchange), a National Self-Defense Institute, is a free two-hour crime victim prevention program that provides women with information that may reduce their risk of exposure to violence and introduces them to the physical aspects of self-defense. Times and locations are posted in the Weekly Phoenix and on the University Events Calendar.
Contact the University Police Department for more information or to sign up.
Threat Assessment Team
Florida Poly’s multi-disciplinary Threat Assessment Team works proactively to keep the campus safe by identifying and responding to potential threats before they escalate. Made up of representatives from student affairs, law enforcement, counseling, human resources, and residence life, the team regularly reviews reports of concerning behavior from students, employees, or visitors. Their goal is to assess risk, offer support, and intervene when necessary to prevent harm. Community members are encouraged to report concerns early through the Non-Urgent Incident Report form or directly to staff, while immediate threats should be reported to University Police.
Fair & Impartial Policing
At Florida Poly, the University Police Department is committed to fair, unbiased, and respectful treatment for every member of our campus community.
Biased Policing
The inappropriate consideration of personal characteristics such as race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, or any other legally protected trait—is strictly prohibited. Officers are held accountable for their conduct, and bias of any kind will not be tolerated.
All officers receive regular training in ethics and bias-free policing as required by the Florida Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission and the Florida Commission on Law Enforcement Accreditation. These trainings reinforce our department’s mission to ensure that all law enforcement actions are based solely on lawful, objective criteria.
You may encounter a police officer during a welfare check, traffic stop, or campus investigation. These interactions are guided by department policy, which requires officers to act based on reasonable suspicion—not personal bias. If approached, we encourage full cooperation and respectful engagement, understanding that officers are working to keep our campus safe.
Concerns or Complaints
If you believe you were treated unfairly or experienced biased policing, we urge you to report the incident to the University Police Department. All complaints are taken seriously and investigated thoroughly. Once concluded, investigative reports become public records available for review.
You may also request a copy of the department’s policy on biased policing by contacting the University Police Department directly.
Harassment, Discrimination & Retaliation Report Form
(863) 874-8472 | police@floridapoly.edu
Reports
Annual Jeanne Clery Disclosure Reports
The purpose of the Annual Jeanne Clery Disclosure Reports is to provide information about security on campus to include: campus and community crime statistics, policy information, safety tips, resource phone numbers, and a brief overview of the many services the university provides.
Crime Logs
The University Police Department maintains a daily crime log in compliance with the Clery Act. Browse archived logs by year to view reported incidents.
All crimes and other cases reported to the University Police Department in each year are listed, including changes in status and the outcome of all cases under investigation.
Your Safety is Our Priority
At Florida Poly, we’re committed to providing a secure, supportive campus environment where innovation and learning can thrive. From 24/7 police patrols and emergency response systems to prevention education and safety resources, we’re here to protect and empower every member of our campus community.
If you have a question, need support, or want tips on staying safe, the University Police Department is here to help. By working together, we can keep Florida Poly a secure and welcoming place to live, learn, and thrive.
University Police Department
police@floridapoly.edu | (863) 874-8472 (non-emergency) | Dial 911 (emergency)
