by Cindy Abole, Public Relations

In a contrast of old and new uniforms, PSO Larry Johnson, left, and Cpl. Mike Anderson, pose by one of Public Safety's two electric patrol carts.

A new year brings a new look to MUSC’s Department of Public Safety.

Beginning Jan. 11, the department will be sporting new uniforms, new vehicles and a stronger comm-unity-oriented image.

“As demands within our department began to increase, we recognized the need to evolve as a different organization,” said Chief Charles Wiley, director of the Department of Public Safety. “That means we must look better, feel better and instill confidence through small changes, improvements and additional training.”

The uniform attire—grey shirt, dark navy slacks, campaign hats and issued footwear—will help identify more than 50 dedicated men and women who help patrol and maintain a safe and secure environment throughout MUSC’s diverse, four-mile campus.

“What we see now in terms of vehicles, uniforms and overall service delivery is an effort to enhance our service capability through a more user-friendly process,” said Bob Gallagher, vice president for finance and administration. “Though much has been done over the last several months, our customers can expect to see more in the future.”

Beyond the uniform updates, Public Safety has incorporated new exterior graphics on their patrol vehicles, modified the uniform patch incorporating MUSC’s new logo and other details as part of the image change. All this coincides with an overall department renovation which began with the divestiture of MUSC and College of Charleston, increase in staff development training and direction towards accreditation.

“Our physical changes are not a new concept,” Wiley said. “We plan to continue our policy of providing good community-oriented service. We want to focus on image and how we appear to our customers—new students, staffers, visitors and patients.”

Changing Public Safety’s uniform was one visual change. “Our uniform has evolved over the past years,” said Wiley. “It has gotten away from its original meaning.” Wiley believes that uniform changes will help improve recognition and visibility throughout campus.

The presence of public safety officers was established at MUSC in November 1969. The department commissioned 25 officers as state constables through the governor and the chief of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. In 1982, the department expanded to include an investigative division. The following year, a training division was incorporated. In 1985, MUSC merged public safety roles with the College of Charleston.

“The new grey and navy blue colors are clearly different from our previous uniform (brown and white),” said Wiley who has imposed basic uniform standards with his staff. “The previous uniform had four attire changes making it sometimes confusing and frustrating for staffers and customers to identify officers because of shirt design or color.”

Other visible changes include the introduction of new graphics on its vehicles. The staff chose a modern, contemporary design which continued the grey and navy blue color scheme incorporated with the new uniforms. The graphics were produced by the Graphix Shoppe in Egan, Minn., the same group which helped to design the award-winning car graphics for the Charleston County Aviation Authority Airport Police.

The vehicle force has expanded to include: two patrol cars; a passenger van (used to provide patient, staff and visitor escorts); a four-wheel drive vehicle (used during emergency preparedness situations, flooding, etc.); four unmarked cars (supports investigators, staff, and VIPs), two electric patrol carts (assigned to patrol the Hagood parking lot and the horseshoe); and 27 patrol bikes. In January 1999, MUSC and the College of Charleston formally divided to form separate law enforcement agencies. “We all wanted the opportunity to dedicate our resources and focus our concerns for the benefit of our respective campuses,” Wiley said.

To complement it’s seperate identity, Wiley approved a staff development plan which features talent from Human Resources Management and various law enforcement resources including the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy (SCCJA) and local as well as out-of-state specialists. Instructors taught on various topics such as leadership training, supervisory skills, officer survival, defensive tactics, sensitivity, sexual harassment, diversity, evidence, records and accreditation.

“It’s my job to focus on feeding the hunger initiated by our officers and staff, as they ask for more training,” Wiley said. “It’s important that we continuously ‘go to the well’ for talent to help fulfill their needs. Otherwise, we will be poisoned as they seek other resources.”

An example of staff development includes specialized training officers must complete to become a certified police cyclist or electric patrol cart operations. Services support officer Lt. Terry Howell is the bike patrol coordinator and developed the staff’s bike training course which was established in 1994. Participants must complete a 40-hour course certified by the International Police Mountain Bike Association. Howell, also a certified driving instructor for the SCCJA also designed the four-hour precision training course which certifies officers and supervisors in the safe operation of the electric patrol carts.

Currently, the force is in the process of seeking accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). This spring, the department will undergo a mock assessment. Once approved, MUSC will be one of two campus agencies accredited throughout the eastern seaboard.

“A lot of campus police agencies seem mired in tradition,” Wiley commented of the slow acceptance of accreditation within academic campuses. “Many groups choose to maintain a status quo and don’t actively seek changes.”

Wiley hopes to mold and create a model campus police force through improved recruiting efforts and implementing effective reward and recognition programs. His support in small community law enforcement underlines his belief in community interaction and communication.

“MUSC’s campus is small compared to city and town law enforcement agencies,” Wiley said. “We can protect and serve a more specific area of responsibility. We want to do much more with less. That’s why it’s important to understand how the community views us.”

For example, Wiley recalls the success of the Lakewood Project, a nationally recognized community law enforcement program set in Lakewood, Colo. It’s premise revolved around an interactive crime prevention program which relied upon the interactive relationship between residents and their local police force. Named among Good Housekeeping’s eight best suburban police departments in 1996, the Lakewood program featured the recruitment of college graduates, thus attracting the brightest, most energetic law enforcement personnel in the country.

As the demands for MUSC’s Department of Public Safety steadily increase this year and in the new millennium, Wiley wants to prepare for the new challenges ahead for his staff and the institution.

“When customers become more responsive with feedback, they’re more appreciative within their community,” Wiley said. “This is the catalyst of a good program. It’s important to see customers evolve to become proactive citizens.”

For more information, visit MUSC's Public Safety website at <http:www.musc.edu/publicsafety/index.htm> Public Safety, general information, 792-2261 or emergencies at 792-4196.