The Fisk University Office of Public Safety is located in the lower level of Carnegie Hall. Our Department is under Chief Mickey West who reports directly to the Vice President of Student Engagement and Enrollment Management, Jason Meriwether. We are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to respond to emergencies and/or reports of criminal activities and to provide routine security patrols and services for our campus community.

The office of Public Safety strives to provide a comprehensive service to the Fisk Campus Community with an overall mission to protect both persons and property and to enable the academic mission of the University to move forward.

The campus community is encouraged to report all campus crimes to us immediately. All violations of local, state and federal criminal laws that comes to the attention of the our department are reported immediately to the appropriate law enforcement agency for investigation and disposition when necessary.

Depending on the nature of an event or incident, Fisk Public Safety officers have the authority to detain individuals until Metro Nashville Police officers arrive on the premises if necessary. Public Safety officers conduct preliminary investigations of all reported situations and refer it to the appropriate law enforcement agency or to the Director of Public Safety, Mickey West, when necessary or mandated.When a Fisk student is involved in an offense, Mr. West and/or PublicSafety officers will conduct the initial investigation in cooperation with appropriate faculty/staff on campus. Metro Nashville police can work and communicate with campus Public Safety officers on any serious incidents occurring on campus or in the immediate neighborhood surrounding campus. Note, each Thursday at 8:00am, Mr. West meets with the leadership of the Metro Nashville Police Department for Comp stat purposes. (Discussing the latest trends in our area, etc.)

While Metro Nashville police have primary jurisdiction in all areas off campus, Fisk Public Safety officers have the authority to respond to student-related incidents that occur and may call Metro Nashville Police if necessary. Note also, Metro Police Officers may come onto campus property at any time and are routinely requested to assist our Public Safety officers if and when needed. Fisk Public Safety officers also have direct communications with the fire department, and ambulance services of which, facilitates rapid response in any emergency situation.

All of Fisk's Public Safety officers have completed State of Tennessee Certified Training requirements and further receive in-service training throughout the year as well as updated on-the-job training routinely.The Office of Public Safety operates three shifts. 1st Shift 7am-3pm; 2nd shift 3pm-11pm; and 3rd shift; 11pm-7am. Several members of the Public Safety staff have prior police/security experience and/or military backgrounds. Prior to employment, officers are required to complete testing for state certification as security officers.

To provide for the protection of both person and property of the Fisk Campus Community so as to enable the academic mission of Fisk University to move forward.

• Safeguard and respect the dignity and rights of all individuals.
• Demonstrate respect toward the people we serve and one another to maintain an environment of trust.
• Develop partnerships with all segments of our community through effective communication and collaboration.
• Carefully select and maintain a well-trained, educated and professional staff.
• Accept individual responsibility and accountability for our actions.