The Investigative Division
was formed in 1982. The investigative division is currently staffed by two
investigators.
The Training Division was formed in 1983. The training
division is currently staffed by one commissioned officer with the rank of
Lieutenant. The training officer is assisted by three field training officers.
In 1985 the
College of Charleston Public Safety Department merged with the Medical University
Department of Public Safety. With the merger, the Medical University assumed
direct control of all law enforcement operations for the college.
Each Campus had a Campus Commander, who was under
the direction of the Deputy Chief of Police.
At that time, the department had 74 sworn officers;
44 non sworn officers, 8 dispatchers and 7 administrative staff. All sworn
officers were commissioned as State Constables by the Governor of South Carolina,
and certified by the S. C. Criminal Justice Academy after nine weeks of
basic police training.
The Bike Patrol was established in 1992 and quickly
expanded to 37 officers.
As of January 1999,
the Medical University of South Carolina and the College of Charleston have
divided to form separate law enforcement agencies.
The department established a crime prevention unit
in 1993. The unit was staffed by one commissioned officer with the rank of
lieutenant. This unit quickly evolved into more than a crime prevention unit.
As the university moved to electronic surveillance, call boxes and card access,
the crime prevention officer quickly became a "physical security officer".
In 1998 the department assigned another officer to assist with crime prevention
duties.
As a part of a larger re-organization pursuant to
the appointment of a new Director of Public Safety, it was decided,
in mid 1998, that the Department of Public Safety would seek international
accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies
(CALEA). There are but a few law enforcement agencies in the country that
are fully accredited and even fewer campus police agencies have met the standards.
The administration of the Medical University of South Carolina feels that
if it is fitting and proper for hospitals and universities to seek and maintain
accreditation in their respective areas, then campus law enforcement should
likewise seek this status. The department applied for and was accepted by
CALEA for admission into the accreditation process. During this first
phase of self assessment, all departmental policies/procedures were rewritten
and a review of all departmental functions were conducted.
In the spring of 1999, the department completed self
assessment and was ready for the next phase, a mock assessment. We notified
CALEA that we were ready for a mock assessment. The mock assessment was scheduled
for July 1999. The mock assessment was conducted exactly like the real on
site assessment. The department completed the mock assessment with no major
discrepancies. We were now ready for the official on site assessment. We requested
and were approved for an on site assessment.
The on site assessment was scheduled for September
1999. Three days prior to the on site, the Charleston area was struck by hurricane
Floyd. Even with university sustaining several million dollars in damage from
the hurricane, we were still determined to complete our on site assessment.
The assessment was conducted on schedule and the department was recommended
for full accreditation.
On November 20, 1999, in Atlanta Georgia, CALEA awarded
full international accreditation to the department. The Medical University
of South Carolina is the only stand alone medical university to achieve accreditation.
The Department has been Re-accredited in 2002 and 2005.
As an accredited law enforcement agency, the MUSC
Department of Public Safety is committed to excellence in service delivery
for the new millenium. The employees of our organization represent the finest
in South Carolina and , as such, promise our customers the very best for the
new year and beyond.
