Community Policing

Different Communities on Campus:

The UW Police Department recognizes the value of community policing in a campus setting and to that end, four police officers are currently assigned geographical areas of responsibility for community interaction, crime prevention, and problem solving. The Lower Campus Community Officer is responsible for the area north of University Avenue and east of Bascom Hill and includes the Memorial Union, Memorial Library, and continuous collaboration with the Madison Police Officers who work in the State and Langdon Street areas. The South East Campus Community Officer is responsible for all areas south of University Avenue with the exception of the Kohl Center and Camp Randall Stadium. The Central Campus Community Officer is responsible for the area and academic buildings in the center of Campus, including Bascom and Van Hise Halls. The University Apartments Community Officer is responsible for the Eagle Heights and University Houses student family housing of over 1250 families on the far west side of the Campus.  In 2012, the UW Police Department expanded the Community Policing program and added the West Campus Community Officer.  The West Campus Community Officer is responsible for areas north of University Avenue, west of Babcock Dr. to the UW Hospital.  This area includes the UW Vet School, W.A.R.F, The Natatorium, and UW Grounds facilities. 

One of the key concepts used frequently in Community Policing is the idea of Problem Oriented Policing, which takes a “co-active” approach to problem-solving by partnering with community members to prevent and solve crime. Officers use the “SARA” model pioneered by Dr. Herman Goldstein of the University of Wisconsin to aid them in this effort. The acronym SARA stands for “Scan, Analyze, Respond, and Assess.” The use of each of these steps ensures a logical and effective approach to problem-solving. Problems are examined until officers can be sure root causes have been identified. Effective efforts are crafted and applied. Outcomes are measured to assure the success was real and sustained.

Community Police Officers attend specialized training to assist them in their efforts and develop valuable relationships with other service and law enforcement agencies and community members to advance Departmental and community goals. They are also very involved in the education and training of community members and in spearheading new programs and policies. We hope to facilitate the building of partnerships within the community that will allow community members to identify and solve problems in creative ways, thereby empowering them while providing sustainable solutions to crime or quality of life issues. Recent examples of success in these efforts are the development of emergency plans for campus day care facilities and the Campus “Badger Watch” program. Of course, Community Police Officers count on all members of the Department to assist them in their goals, including the Detective Bureau, Planning and Development, and other patrol and liaison officers.