Public Safety

Dear Campus Community,

As your Chief of Public Safety, I want to provide clarity regarding the role of our department and how we interact with outside law enforcement agencies. Our goal is to ensure a safe, supportive, and well-understood environment for all members of our community.

Role of Public Safety

Our primary responsibility is the safety and security of the Brandeis campus. Our officers do not enforce federal civil laws, including those related to immigration status, and we do not take action based solely on an individual’s status.

Interaction with Outside Law Enforcement

Outside law enforcement agencies, including local and state partners as well as federal law enforcement agencies (e.g., ICE, FBI, DEA), do not have unrestricted access to campus. Access to non-public areas such as residence halls, classrooms, and offices requires appropriate legal authority, typically in the form of a judicial warrant.

Protection of Personal Information

The University does not release non-public personal information to outside law enforcement except as required by law or subject to a subpoena or warrant. Where disclosure is required by law, the University will, when permitted, notify the individual involved.

Legal Framework

Our practices are consistent with Massachusetts law and established legal guidance, including court decisions that limit the authority of law enforcement to detain individuals solely on civil matters.

Our Commitment

We understand that interactions with law enforcement, particularly from outside agencies, can raise questions. Our department serves as the primary point of contact for any law enforcement activity on campus. If you are approached on campus by anyone purporting to be from an outside law enforcement agency, you are encouraged to contact Public Safety immediately for guidance and support.

We remain committed to maintaining a campus environment where all members of our community feel safe, supported, and respected.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Matthew T. Rushton

Assistant Vice President, Operations and Chief Safety Officer

4.14.2026

For all students, faculty, and staff:

If you are approached by any outside law enforcement officer on campus:

• Be courteous
• Call Brandeis Public Safety immediately at 781-736-3333.
• Do not engage, provide information, or accept any documents.
• You are not required to verify credentials or determine the validity of any warrant or request.
• Do not obstruct law enforcement
• Refer all requests to Public Safety and allow them to handle the interaction.

If access to a building or space is requested:

• Do not grant access to residence halls, offices, classrooms, or other non-public areas.
• Do not hold doors open for individuals you do not know.
• Only Public Safety can coordinate access when appropriate legal authority is presented.

If documents are presented (e.g., subpoena or warrant):

• Do not accept or sign for any documents.
• Clearly state:
  “I am not obstructing your duties, but I am not authorized to accept documents or provide access. Please contact Brandeis Public Safety.”
• Call Public Safety immediately.

Important Reminder:

Only judicial warrants authorize entry into non-public spaces. Administrative documents do not grant that authority. You are not expected to make that determination. Public Safety will review and respond as appropriate.

When in doubt:

If you feel unsure or uncomfortable at any point, call Brandeis Public Safety immediately at 781-736-3333.

Below are safety alerts issued by the AVP of Public Safety:

• 1.2024
• 2.2024

Below are reports produced by or that impact Public Safety:

• The 2024 Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act), Published October 2025.

• Public Safety Department 2025 Progress Report
• Public Safety Department 2024 Progress Report.
• Investigative Report, 2024
• Public Safety Department 2023 Progress Report.
• The 2022 Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act), Published October 2023.
• Re-Imagine Report, 2021

The following safety resources are available for download.

• Active Threat Information
• Communicated Threats
• Suspicious Activity Checklist

The following policies have been issued in support of a safe community.

Policy on Lost and Stolen Property

Policy on Personal Electric Vehicle and Bicycle Usage 

Policy on Bicycle Registration

Policy on Winter Storm and Weather Response 

Policy on Service Animals & University Transportation

Policy on the Intake of Marijuana & Drug Paraphernalia

Policy on Use of Drones over Brandeis Airspace

Policy on Lost & Found - Stolen Brandeis ID Cards

Public Safety Departmental Policies: (Law Enforcement Specific, typically guided by Massachusetts for Federal law)

• Bias-Free Policing Policy
• Crowd Control Policy
• Proper Use of Internet and Email
• Oath of Office, Code of Ethics, Values
• Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Violence
• Reporting Abuse, Excessive Force, or Misconduct by Law Enforcement Personnel
• Discipline & Officer Conduct Policy
• Communications Policy
• Vision Statement
• Mission Statement
• Code of Conduct
• Officer Response To Calls for Service
• Response to Suspicious Persons
• Personnel Identification 
• Legal Authority & Jurisdiction
• Use of Cell Phones
• Parking Enforcement & Towing Policy

Public Safety Patrol Guide: (Brandeis specific, usually not guided by law)

• Winter Weather & Storm Response Policy
• Policy on the Use of Drones
• Transportation & Service Animals
• Public Safety Response to Transportation Accidents
• Policy on Event Security, Staffing Matrix
• After Hours Building Access, Remote Access/C*Cure
• Bicycle Registration Policy
• Transportation Training Policy
• BEMCo Response Standards for Responding to Emergency Requests for Medical Services 
• Response to Held Open Doors, C*Cure Event Monitor

Over the last 12 months, the Brandeis University Police Officers have participated in over 1,500+ hours of training. Each officer completed at least 40 hours of training and another 860+ additional hours of training. A short list is provided below:

• Advanced Sexual Assault Training
• Suicide Intervention and Prevention
• Field Training Officers Course (FTO)
• Leadership Panel Participation, National Association of Women in Law Enforcement (NAWLEE)
• Hate Crimes and Group Training
• Crisis Intervention Training (CIT)
• Stress, Relationships, (NAWLEE)
• Police Mountain Bike Certification Course
• Current 1st Amendment and Civil Rights Issues
• Building a Winning Culture
• Sexual Assault Investigator Course
• FBI, LEEDA Supervisor Training
• Reid School, Interview and Interrogation
• Tactical Instructor Development Course
• The Servant Warrior Training
• Front-line Leadership
• New England Regional Command College
• Intentional Leadership

 Previous training:

• Martin Luther King Jr., Kingian Non-Violence, 3-day workshop.
• Anti-Defamation League (ADL), Antisemitism training
• Combined Jewish Philanthropies (CJP), fair and equitable inclusive training.
• Restorative Justice training.
• History of Racial Profiling, Strategically & Unlocking Authentic Communication in a Culturally-Diverse Workplace.
• 3rd Annual Faith-Based Organizations Safety Seminar, Department of Homeland Security and the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties - response strategies, threats, training.
• “BeAware” training hosted by Secure Communities Network
• Civilian Response to Active Shooter Event (CRASE) train the trainer.
• Building Safe Jewish Communities on Campus
• “White Lives Matter:” A Network of Hate”
• National Preparedness Leadership Initiative at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
• Behavioral Threat Assessment Training
• De-Escalation training
• Threat Assessment Management Team training
• Responding to and Investigating Bomb Threats and Swatting Hoaxes training by the FBI.
• Leading Strategically & Unlocking Authentic Communication in a
• Culturally-Diverse Workplace.
• Kingian non-violence, 3-day workshop.