We had 11 questions for Officer Ryan Snow in our ongoing series to get up close and personal with Division of Public Safety employees: How long have you worked for UIPD? Since 2012 What is one thing that makes you different? I have my Drug Recognition Expert Certification. There are only approximately 50 officers in the state of Illinois that holds that certification and I am the only one in Champaign County. What is something you’d like to see changed on campus or in the community? I would like to see the community reach out more and invite conversations with [...]

URBANA — Emergencies can happen anywhere, and at any time. The Emergency Management bureau at the University of Illinois Police Department works full-time to prepare for the eventual campus emergency, whether it is fire, severe weather or another kind of active threat. In recent years, the four-person team has coordinated the completion of 325 (and counting) building emergency action plans, which are documents designed to assist building occupants with their emergency planning and response efforts. The effort is no small task – OSHA regulations require continuous updating of contact lists, emergency procedures, and ongoing training, among other mandates. The four-person [...]

URBANA — As the school enters its hiatus and many students leave campus, those who stay during the break should take precautions to make sure they stay safe.With fewer people in the area, that also provides criminals with better opportunities to commit their crimes. But there are a few things you can do to significantly reduce your risk of being targeted by an offender. “These are things we want our campus community members to be doing year-round, but the campus environment during the break makes these tips particularly helpful,” said Lt. Joan Fiesta.The police department never closes. There are always officers standing [...]

URBANA — Dealing with a traumatizing situation can be a catalyst for a mental shutdown. Particularly, in the case of sexual assault, survivors are forced to cope with anxiety while navigating the ambiguity of an unclear night, a rush of emotions and the possibility of legal proceedings. A select group of University of Illinois Police Department officers aimed to take on the task of helping survivors find healing amidst the chaos. These UIPD officers opted to go through a rigorous and more thorough training focused on teaching them how to follow up and investigate sexual assault cases. “How you interview someone [...]