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.

The University Police Division has established a strong working relationship with many local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. University Police work cooperatively with these agencies and have regular contacts with Columbus Police, the Franklin County Sheriff's Office, and the Ohio State Highway Patrol on matters of mutual interest and concern. The University Police Division has entered into agreements with the Cities of Bexley and Upper Arlington, as well as Clinton Township, to allow University Police to investigate criminal offenses and perform other police functions in those jurisdictions under certain circumstances. Through a mutual aid agreement with the City of Columbus, University police officers have been given authority to engage in crime interdiction and joint crime prevention projects in the Columbus Police 4th Precinct and University District (see "University Police Crime Prevention Programs" below). The University Police Division has also entered into a joint agreement with Bowling Green State University, Central State University, Cleveland State University, Kent State University, Miami University, Ohio University, University of Akron, University of Cincinnati, University of Toledo, Wright State University, and Youngstown State University to provide and receive mutual assistance and police services upon request. Agreements with the Ohio State Highway Patrol and the Ohio Investigative Unit provide for law enforcement officers from these agencies to support the operations of the University Police Division during football games.

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 and Protective Services' officers support security needs in the Wexner Center for the Arts and 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.