HSU Police Department Ensures Campus Safety

(ABILENE, Texas)– The mission of Hardin-Simmons University police officers is to “ensure a safe and secure environment on the University campus through active and vigilant patrol of all parts of the University including all roadways, walkways, parking lots, athletic fields, academic and administrative buildings, and when required, residence halls and facilities.”

The safety and security of the campus are regulated by the HSU Police Department. Campus officers perform duties including investigating criminal activity, 24/7 coverage of campus and its surrounding area, and securing all buildings on campus. HSU officers are armed, have full powers to make an arrest, and have the same rights and authority as other certified Texas Peace Officers.

Chief of Police Patrick Fenner has been in law enforcement for 38 years and has been an officer at HSU for eight. Throughout his eight years of service at Hardin-Simmons, he says he has not had to send anyone to jail.

“We usually like to handle things through the Dean or President’s office if possible,” said Fenner. “Our intentions are not to get anyone in trouble;, we just want to keep everyone on campus safe.”

According to the HSU website, “The University Police Department will work within the United States Constitution to enforce the laws, preserve the peace, reduce fear, and provide for a safe environment.”

Campus Safety Telephones

Parking lots, areas with heavy landscaping and trees, and heavily traveled paths are typically well lit, and there are seven emergency call boxes placed among the campus. These phones are active 24/7 and will directly dial the Hardin-Simmons Police Department. To begin a call, hold the button down for two seconds before directly speaking into the call box. Each box has instructions available.

An Emergency Safety Telephone

Locations for emergency call boxes are:
● Northwest Side of Simmons Parking Lot
● Northeast Corner of Dyess Welcome Center
● Northeast Corner of Ferguson Resident Hall
● Southwest Corner of Arts and Sciences Annex
● Inside Physical Therapy Building on the Northside
● Behrens Hall and Lange Hall Parking Lot
● East Side of Weight Room of Sandefer Field House

The call boxes are put in place strictly for emergency uses that require the immediate attention of the HSU Police Department. Abuse of these telephones such as pranks, hang-up calls, or other kinds of mistreatment is a violation of university policies as well as state law.

To begin a call on an emergency telephone box, hold the button down for two seconds before directly speaking into the call box.

Examples of correct usage of emergency phones include:
● Reporting a physical assault or perceived danger
● Reporting suspicious people or vehicles on campus
● Reporting accidents
● Reporting fires
● To call for a police escort (University Police officers will provide after-hours escorts for students, faculty, staff, and visitors to any campus building, campus parking area, or residential halls. Emergency escorts also may be provided to off-campus housing and the Grape Street Athletic Complex.)

For more information about the HSU Police Department or questions regarding campus safety, please visit https://www.hsutx.edu/student-life/campus-safety/.