Grand Valley Police Department

Safety and Security Services

The primary responsibility for law enforcement on the Allendale campus rests with Grand Valley State University’s Department of Public Safety Services (DPS). All Grand Rapids facilities owned or controlled by Grand Valley are served by the Grand Rapids Police Department. The Holland, Muskegon, and Traverse City police departments serve Holland, Muskegon, and Traverse City facilities owned or controlled by Grand Valley.

All Grand Valley State University Department of Public Safety Services officers are licensed by the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards. Public Safety officers have full law enforcement authority and responsibilities. They work closely with the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Department, Michigan State Police, and other law enforcement agencies.

Grand Valley employs a fully-equipped and trained university police department, providing 24-hour police services and assistance. The Department of Public Safety Services maintains a non-emergency dispatch service and office hours on the Allendale campus and relies on 24-hour emergency service from the Ottawa County Central Dispatch Authority.

In addition to law enforcement officers, DPS employs a number of student security personnel on a part-time basis. Student security personnel provide crowd control, monitor pedestrian crosswalks, direct traffic, and enforce parking ordinances.

Criminal incidents and emergencies at the Robert C. Pew Grand Rapids campus are reported to the Grand Rapids Police Department and Pew Campus Security. Criminal incidents and emergencies at the Holland, Muskegon, and Traverse City campuses are reported to the Holland, Muskegon, and Traverse City police departments as well as to Pew Campus Security.