Mission Statement
The mission of the Georgia College and State University Department of Public Safety is to partner with our community of faculty, staff, and students, dedicated to educating, protecting, and serving the university. Through collaborative and innovative efforts, we strive to create and maintain a safe and secure learning environment, fostering a culture of well-being, trust, and respect for all. Providing selfless service to all, above all else.
Who We Are
As Georgia College Public Safety, our number one duty is to protect, serve and educate the entire university community. If you have questions or concerns at any time during your time at Georgia College & State University, you can find the Public Safety office in the Hall House at 301 W. Montgomery St. Our dedicated staff is available 24-hours a day, 365 days a year.
Georgia College Public Safety consists of three divisions:
Support Services
The Support Services Division is responsible for administrative functions within the police department and providing support services functions for the other three divisions. The division is responsible for several critical functions of the department including the communications center and staff, records, training and crime prevention. There are many administrative functions that are carried out by the division including: compliance with the Clery Act, the Freedom of Information Act, GCIC/NCIC rules and regulations, Peace Officer Standards and Training Council requirements, and Georgia College policy as directed by the Board of Regents. All records and case files are maintained by this division as well.
The records section is responsible for maintaining all case files and records within the department and distributing incident reports to outside agencies and the public. The records section also provides background checks, expungements, and fingerprinting services for the general public and university community. A valid government issued photo ID, and consent form completed in person is required to process all requests. For more information about background checks and expungements, please call 478-445-4054. Fee list:
Background Check: $10
Expungement: $10
Fingerprinting: $5 per card
Copies of Videos: $10
If you would like copies of public records, as allowed under the Georgia Open Records Act, please submit an Open Records Request via the online submission form. For more information, please visit the Open Records Process and Procedures page.
The most critical function of the division is the communications center. The communications center is staffed by communications officers who are all POST. The communications section is a vital link of the department providing the communication necessary to receive emergency calls and to send the appropriate response. The communications center also monitors intrusion and fire alarms, security cameras throughout the campus, emergency call boxes, local police, fire, and EMS radio frequencies, GCIC/NCIC computer, and places all information into the computer aided dispatch system (CADS). Communications officers are usually the first contact for those requesting Public Safety help or assistance.
Patrol
The patrol division is headed up by a Captain. The division is staffed by state-certified police officers and provides a wide variety of services, ranging from motorist assistance, traffic enforcement, to answering routine and emergency calls for service, to major case investigation and community-oriented programming. Regardless of what their assigned duties might be, the department's personnel are dedicated to the delivery of pro-active law enforcement services in a positive and professional manner. Officers patrol the Milledgeville campus and surrounding area 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Our officers patrol the campus in a variety of ways; patrol cars, golf carts and on foot. This variety has allowed the department to expand our services beyond normal boundaries of patrol. By getting into areas where patrol vehicles cannot reach, we have increased our visibility and hopefully deterred criminal activity with our presence.
All of our patrol officers attend a regional police academy where they receive a minimum of 404 hours of basic law enforcement training in critical areas such as criminal procedures, firearms, emergency driving and criminal law. After completing the basic academy officers undergo an additional eight weeks of hands on training in the field with experienced training officers. Officers continuously improve their training by attending at least 40 hours of advanced training every year.
Emergency Management
The Office of Emergency Management is charged with the facilitation, maintenance and testing of all campus safety systems to ensure their readiness in the event of an emergency. We are dedicated to serving the university community by keeping the mission of saving lives, protecting property and ensuring the continual operation of Georgia College through a means of preparedness, education and individual readiness.
This mission is carried out by a collaborative effort among all within the university community. To review what to do in the event of an emergency, please refer to the Emergency Action Plan Summary. Additionally, to learn more about the various safety systems that are in place to enhance your safety while on campus, visit the Emergency Systems page.
What We Do
As Georgia College officers, we enforce the state laws as well as local ordinances. We issue citations, make arrests and work vehicle accidents. Some of our other duties include assisting motorists and patrolling the campus on foot, golf cart or in marked patrol vehicles.
Georgia College Public Safety is a member of the Georgia Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators, the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators, the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police, the Middle Georgia Law Enforcement Council, the Peace Officers Standards and Training Council and the Governor's Office of Highway Safety.
You can play an important role in the safety of our campus. You should always be aware of your environment, especially when walking alone or at night. If you are ever uncomfortable or uneasy concerning your safety, or you observe suspicious individuals or activities, you should always feel free to contact Public Safety, 24 hours a day, either in person or by telephone at 478-445-4400. You can also push one of the emergency call buttons strategically located around campus. We hope you will never find that necessary, but that is why they are there.
Public Safety FAQs
Q: Where do I pay my parking ticket?
A: Tickets may be paid online, in person, or by phone.
To pay your ticket online:
- Have your license plate number and ticket number on hand.
- Go to https://georgiacollege.aimsparking.com.
- Click on the “Login” button at the top, right corner of the page. This will redirect you to login with your Unify credentials, but will return you to your parking account once you login.
- Click on the “Pay Ticket” icon and follow the onscreen instructions.
To pay your ticket in person with check or credit card, visit the Business Office at 111 Parks Hall during regular office hours.
To pay your ticket by phone with a card, call the Business Office at 478-445-5254.
If you received a ticket from Milledgeville Police Department, fines may be paid at the police department located at 125 W. McIntosh Street. For further information contact the municipal court at 478-414-4000.
Q: What is your jurisdiction?
A: Primary jurisdiction is all of Georgia College owned or leased property, while secondary jurisdiction is 500 yards around such property.
Q: How do I get a copy of my incident/accident report?
A: You may come by our office located at the Hall House, which is located at the corner of W. Montgomery and N. Liberty Streets, to obtain a copy of your report anytime between the hours of 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Q: What is the Student Judiciary Board?
A: The Board consist of student members and nonvoting faculty advisers who hold hearings for those students who are accused of being in violation of the Student Honor Code or Code of Conduct. For more information, please review the Student Handbook.
Q: My friend was arrested. Where do I pick them up?
A: Most individuals arrested are transported to the Baldwin County Law Enforcement Center located off of Old Monticello Road at GA Hwy 22.
Q: Does your department offer a Ride-Along Program?
A: Yes! Open to Georgia College students who are interested in the law enforcement field may call to schedule a date to ride along with one of our officers. Available times may vary due to resources and day to day activity. Please bring the following form with you. The Waiver of Liability Form must be read and signed.
Q: How do I schedule a Crime Prevention program for my class or organization?
A: You may contact Support Services at 478-445-2027 to find out what programs are offered at this time.