OSU Police

Police officers of The Ohio State University are designated by statute as the law enforcement officers for the university. They are empowered to use investigative authority on reasonable suspicion of crime, to search and arrest as authorized by law, and to use reasonable and necessary force to enforce law and protect property on all University land and as provided by mutual aid compacts established with other jurisdictions. Their oath of office is a personal commitment to the rule of law and constitutional limitations of police authority. The University Police perform the same duties and have the same authority as police departments in the cities in Ohio. They evaluate all reported crimes and conduct investigations to determine the responsible party. University Police enforce laws regulating underage drinking, the use of controlled substances, weapons, and all other incidents requiring police assistance. They are responsible for all police services on university-owned property and work cooperatively through regular contacts with the Columbus police, the Franklin County Sheriff's office, and the Ohio State Highway Patrol on matters of mutual interest and concern.

Police receive assistance in providing safety and security services from other university departments. The Department of Transportation and Parking handles minor traffic collisions, issues parking citations, and helps provide security in parking lots and garages. The University Medical Center Security Office provides security services directly to the university's medical complex, and University Security Services' officers support security needs in the Wexner Center for the Arts and some other campus facilities.

The University Police Division is located in Blankenship Hall, 901 Woody Hayes Drive. University Police are available 24 hours a day, every day of the year, to receive reports and investigate crimes that are reported to have occurred on university property.

Emergency telephone service, 9-1-1, is available without coin from all campus phones, including over 400 university pay phones and over 110 direct emergency phones located throughout campus. Walk-in service is available every hour of every day. Non-emergency phone contact is also always available by calling 292-2121. Specific questions may also be directed to University Police through electronic mail at Police+@osu.edu.