Approach to Policing

The Yale Police Department (YPD) places a priority on the safety and security of all members of the community, including the 20,000 students, faculty, staff, and many more campus visitors. 

As a best-in-class police force, the YPD is committed to assessing the department’s operations, policies and procedures and to implementing policing practices endorsed by national experts. As a part of that on-going assessment, the YPD has in the last year enhanced its community outreach and engagement efforts and realigned its organization to better address community concerns.

Resources

Police by the Numbers

Supporting and Protecting the Community

Tragedies that have occurred on other campuses in past years, including mass shootings, require that YPD officers must be fully prepared to respond quickly to any life-threatening emergency situation that might arise on campus. To address these concerns:

  • Officers who are sanctioned to carry firearms are required to regularly complete intensive training centered around multicultural awareness, recognition of signs of mental illness, and de-escalation techniques. 
  • The existing use of force (UOF) policy requires de-escalation tactics to be employed prior to UOF, whenever possible. Officers are also required to intervene, stop and immediately report any incidents of excessive use of force by a fellow police officer.
  • All Officers are required to wear Body Worn Cameras (BWC) and policy requires it to be activated at all times when interacting with the public. Officers are subject to discipline if found to not be adhering to policy.
  • The YPD works closely with the New Haven Police Department to ensure that both departments oversee agreed-upon designated areas.

Commitment to Training

All Yale University Police Officers must maintain their certification throughout their careers and receive additional training through in-service training programs sponsored by the department or other local, state, or federal agencies. Our training includes:

  • An excess of 818 hours of basic recruit training.
  • More than 12 weeks of supervised field training, under the supervision of specially trained field training officers.

Police Advisory Board

The Yale Police Advisory Board is an independent and diverse group that advises the vice president for human resources and administration on investigations and provides reports resulting from civilian complaints about the Yale Police Department. The seven-member board consists of faculty, staff, students, and a representative of the New Haven community.

First Amendment (Freedom of Speech)

The Yale University Police Department is dedicated to protecting the Yale and surrounding communitys’ First Amendment right to freedom of speech, and the right to exercise that freedom through peaceful assembly, demonstrate, protest, or rally, while also protecting the lives and property of the community.

Additional Information