Department of Public Safety

The College’s nationally accredited Department of Public Safety is committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for students, faculty, staff and visitors. Our public safety personnel provide crime prevention, event management and police services 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

It is important to remember at all times that the College of Charleston is located in an urban setting, and that the campus blends seamlessly with the city neighborhoods around it. While reported crime at the College is low, we must all take responsibility for our own personal safety by practicing good crime-prevention habits.

The information on our website will help you learn what to do in an emergency, show you how to avoid becoming the victim of a crime, and help you to understand your role and responsibilities as a member of the College of Charleston community.

DISCLAIMER: Individuals must use their own best judgment and discretion in the event of an actual emergency. Any and all information provided by the College addresses current general practices for basic categories of events only. No representations or warranties of any kind are made regarding the reliability or suitability of any information provided herein, for any specific event or occurrence.  

Latest Public Safety News

Remembering Mother Emanuel eight years later
Posted on 17 June 2023 | 5:38 pm
Eight years ago today, nine people died as a result of a twisted attempt to ignite a race war in Charleston and the rest of the country. The perpetrator, and I won’t dignify him by naming him, failed in that attempt. Charleston stood strong. Charleston stood together. And the ENTIRE country rallied behind us. Remember, […]
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CofC DPS mourns with Temple University PD
Posted on 20 February 2023 | 9:38 pm
The College of Charleston Department of Public Safety mourns with the Temple University Police Department. One of their ranks, Officer Christopher Fitzgerald, was killed in the line of duty by a suspect that has since been apprehended. Officer Fitzgerald was a two year veteran of the department. He was 31 years old and leaves behind […]
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College of Charleston DPS mourns with Summerville PD over the loss of Capt. Johnson
Posted on 10 November 2022 | 7:24 pm
The officers, command staff, and support staff at the College of Charleston Department of Public Safety mourn with the Summerville Police Department over the recent loss of one of their ranks, Captain Larry “LJ” Johnson, after a battle with cancer. Captain Johnson was a twenty-year veteran of the Summerville Police Department, having previously served with […]
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