Ferris State University Department of Public Safety

It is important that we define and all understand what this principle means.

The Ferris State University Department of Public Safety is committed to the principle that all people are entitled to unbiased, equitable treatment by police officers. Based upon this commitment, we feel that it is vital to describe our philosophy and standards to clearly establish what the Ferris State, Big Rapids, and Mecosta County community can expect of our police department. I will define th

e concepts of Biased Policing, Individual Demographics, Fair and Impartial Treatment, and Police Services to clearly communicate what the expectations of this department are:

1.) Biased Policing is defined as any discrimination in the performance of law enforcement duties or delivery of police services, based upon personal prejudices or partiality of officers toward classes of individuals or persons as a result of individual demographics.

2.) Individual Demographics, for purposes of this commitment, are defined as personal characteristics, to include, but not be limited to race, ethnic background, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, socioeconomic status, age, disability, veteran status, cultural group, or political philosophy or status.

3.) Fair and Impartial Treatment is defined as the belief and commitment to the concept that all persons, irrespective of individual characteristics or affiliations, shall be treated in the same basic manner under the same or similar circumstances. This concept does not mean that all persons in the same or similar circumstances can or must be treated identically. Reasonable concessions and accommodations may and sometimes shall be made, when dealing with persons with physical or mental disabilities, injury, illness, or similar circumstances, or when prior knowledge about the individual necessitates different treatment.

4.) Police Services are defined as those actions, responses, and activities that may not directly or exclusively include enforcement of the law, but contribute to the overall well-being and feeling of safety and security of the campus community. These services include, but are limited to tasks such as assistance at fire scenes, traffic accidents, medical emergencies, lifesaving efforts, crime prevention, preventative patrol, traffic control, public information, programming and education, and other similar activities. Based upon these concepts and definitions, the Department of Public Safety (DPS) has committed to the following principles:

1.) Fair and Impartial Treatment: Biased policing is prohibited in both the enforcement of the law and the delivery of police services. All DPS officers will make every reasonable effort to take equivalent enforcement actions and provide equal services to all persons in the same and similar circumstances. DPS officers will never consider individual demographics when performing law enforcement duties or delivering police services except when such individual characteristics are part of a specific description of a person or persons. Unless exigent circumstances exist, DPS officers will not engage in a law enforcement matter that involves a family member, personal friend, relative, or other person with whom the officer has had a personal relationship, such that the officer’s objectivity may be, or may appear to be compromised. In such situations, the officer will summon other police officers for assistance.

2.) Compliance: DPS officers who witness or who are aware of instances of biased policing will report the incident to the appropriate supervisor. When and where appropriate, DPS officers will intervene at the time that they recognize that biased policing is occurring. Officers who are discovered to be engaged in biased policing will be investigated, re-trained, disciplined, or terminated, depending on the severity of the incident. All complaints against any officer will be investigated and disposition made in accordance to DPS policy. A Ferris State University Police Oversight Committee Board will convene to review all complaints made against any DPS police officer.

3.) Training/Education: The Department of Public Safety will continue to receive training and education to continue to apply this philosophy and to ensure that we are leaders in the law enforcement community to advance the concept of unbiased policing. This is our solemn promise to the students, faculty, staff, and visitors of Ferris State University. Department of Public Safety
1319 Cramer Circle, Big Rapids MI 49307-2128
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-Emergency & Crime Hotline: (231) 591-5000
Fax: (231) 796-0169

06/09/2026

🚨NOTICE OF POWER OUTAGE AT FSU PUBLIC SAFETY ON JUNE 26TH, 2026 (was previously scheduled for tomorrow, June 19th)🚨

Due to generator repair, Public Safety will be without power on Friday, June 26th from 7AM-7:30AM and 2PM-2:30PM. Should you experience an emergency during this time, please dial 9-1-1.

Thank you for your understanding.

06/02/2026

Are you a current OR incoming FSU student looking for employment in Public Safety? 👀

We have a few openings for the Public Safety Dispatcher position! Please search "Student Job Postings" in Ferris360 or go to the link below to view details and apply (this is a student position only):

Details - Public Service Dispatcher (Student Position) - Ferris State University Apply now Job no: 497830 Work type: Student Employment - General Location: Big Rapids, MI 49307 Categories: Student Employment - General

Photos from Ferris State University Department of Public Safety's post

05/12/2026

Thank you to all who braved the rain and came out to the 21st Annual Police Memorial. Despite the weather and campus planned power outage, attendance was remarkable!

Special thanks to our surrounding agencies: Mecosta County Sheriff's Office, Big Rapids Department of Public Safety, and Michigan State Police as well as our IT and Facilities departments for helping make this event a success.

Until next year… 🚔

04/27/2026

🚧STADIUM DRIVE CLOSED UNTIL MAY 1ST AT 4PM🚧

Granger Construction has closed a portion of Stadium Drive down until May 1st at 4pm. The road closure is needed in order to commence work on the east side of the project site that is not feasible from within the construction fence for the new resident hall. Access to the parking lot at the Student Rec Center will remain open. Thank you for your patience and understanding during this time.

04/20/2026

🚧STADIUM DRIVE CLOSED UNTIL APRIL 22ND AT 4PM🚧

Granger Construction has closed a portion of Stadium Drive down until April 22nd at 4pm. The road closure is needed in order to commence work on the east side of the project site that is not feasible from within the construction fence for the new resident hall. Access to the parking lot at the Student Rec Center will remain open. Thank you for your patience and understanding during this time.

04/13/2026

🚧UPCOMING ROAD CLOSURE: TUESDAY, APRIL 21ST, 2026🚧

The intersection of State Street and Perry Avenue will be closed starting at 8AM on Tuesday, April 21st. The project should take a couple of days, weather permitting. The North and Southbound lanes on State Street will be reduced to one lane in each direction.

DETOUR INFORMATION:
▪️For those traveling East or West on Perry Avenue, please use Ferris Drive as a detour around the construction area.
▪️Those coming out of Campus Drive will only be able to turn right.
▪️ There will be no left turns at the intersection of Perry Avenue and State Street.

04/10/2026

Officer Leslie brought the fun (and the facts!) to Bond Hall with a “Drunk Goggles” night 👓🚓

Students got a firsthand look at how impairment affects coordination—all while learning important drink safety tips. We love seeing Bulldogs show up, get involved, and look out for one another 💙

Thanks to everyone who came out—we can’t wait to see you at the next event! Stay safe & go Bulldogs 🐾

📸

04/07/2026

‼️We are looking to further expand our team by adding another police officer! Duties include responding to emergency and non-emergency police calls for service, responsibility for performing assigned police work of varying degree of difficulty, utilizing community-oriented/problem-solving techniques which include community engagement, resource development, the enforcement of laws and ordinances, crime prevention, detection and investigation, apprehension of violators, and other related police functions.
▪️Applicants must be MCOLES certified, pass a background, and possess a valid Michigan driver's license.

Apply here:

Details - Public Safety Officer - Ferris State University Comprehensive benefit package (health care, vacation, etc.). Please see the following link for a list of benefits offered with this position.

03/02/2026

Attention residents: Crews will be performing maintenance on our tornado siren today, March 2nd. If it gets activated, there is no need for alarm; no emergency is occurring.

01/10/2026

All heart behind the badge 💙
Happy Law Enforcement Appreciation Day!! 🚓

Campus safety powered by great partnerships 💙
Thank you Mecosta County Sheriff’s Department & Big Rapids Police Department for always having our backs!

Claim ownership or report listing

Want your school to be the top-listed School/college in Big Rapids?

Click here to claim your Sponsored Listing.

Location

Big Rapids

Contact the school

Click here to send a message to the school

Telephone

+12315915000

Website

https://www.ferris.edu/publicsafety

Address

1319 Cramer Circle
Big Rapids, MI
49307