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OUR DEPARTMENTS

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

The Division of Public Safety and Security (DPSS) Community Engagement Unit engages and partners with students, faculty, staff, patients, and visitors to educate and inform about preventing crime and safety hazards on campus. We encourage our community members to take a proactive approach to safeguarding themselves and others. Together, we can make the University of Michigan a safer and more secure place to study, work, live and heal.

Our Services

Community Engagement provides the following services to the U-M community:

Property registration button Presentations & Training Button
Empowerment Self Defense Button Physical Security Assessments button

Community Engagement in Action

In addition to our services, the DPSS community engagement team participates in community events, alcohol harm reduction programs, interpersonal violence prevention education, new student orientation and meets with students and staff on a variety of safety-related topics.

DPSS police and security officers stopped by to support our Ann Arbor Police colleagues and their children at their downtown Ann Arbor lemonade stand to raise money for childhood cancer on June 13, 2021.
Students from Wayne County Community College District (WCCCD) receiving a program completion award on [DATE] for successfully completing a semester-long externship with DPSS.
Members of the DPSS Student Advisory Board participated in the Multiple Interactive Learning Objectives (MILO) simulator with DPSS staff on [DATE] and provided feedback to incorporate into future training.
Staff from SafeHouse Center and DPSS placed teal ribbons around central campus to raise awareness about sexual assault during Sexual Assault Awareness month in April 2021.
Participants and organizers at the 2018 Purple Run organized by SafeHouse Center, the Washtenaw County Prosecutor's Office, and DPSS.
DPSS officer on the Diag registering personal electronics and bikes to help prevent theft.

Therapy Dog Nico

Therapy Dog Nico Have you met Nico yet? You may have noticed a furry new addition to the University of Michigan Division of Public Safety and Security's (DPSS) Community Engagement Team!

This new therapy dog program aims to provide engagement opportunities with our campus community, as well as emotional support for anybody having a stressful experience. For students, the transition from a structured home life to the freedom of campus has long been considered one of the most stressful events in a student's life. “I think a therapy dog is awesome because college is stressful, and having a l ittle guy to cuddle helps you focus on other things,” says Emma, a South Quad resident. DPSS is always looking for ways to support our campus community and create a safe and welcoming environment.



For more information about these services, contact us!

  • Phone: (734) 763-3434
  • Email: dpss-safety-security@umich.edu

    • Our Goals

    Our community engagement team aims to:

    • Connect with the U-M community through innovative lifelong learning opportunities
    • Engage in dialogue about safety, awareness, and community development
    • Strengthen relationships and facilitate partnerships
    • Educate and empower community members through personal safety training and awareness

    Our Approach

    Our Community Engagement Unit—a diverse team of officers from the U-M Police Department (UMPD), Housing Security and Michigan Medicine Security—works together with the U-M community to provide education, timely communication, and community engagement. We empower community members to take charge of their own safety and collaborate with DPSS to make a safer and more secure campus.


    Who We Are

    Police Lieutenant Dave Marshall

    Dave Marshall

    Director
    (734) 763-3434
    dhmarsh@umich.edu

    Director David Marshall leads our DPSS Community Engagement efforts, and brings with him over 25 years of law enforcement experience from both the City of Dearborn Police Department and UM-Dearborn. During his time with the City of Dearborn, Lt. Marshall rose to the rank of Captain and, in addition to many other projects and duties, led the Dearborn Police Department's Community Outreach Program. Most recently, Lt. Marshall served as a sergeant with our colleagues at UM-Dearborn.

    Favorite quote: “Devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning.” -Mitch Albom

    In addition to Director Marshall's public safety experience, he has twenty years of combined active duty and reserve service as an officer in the United States Marine Corps, advancing to the rank of Major.

    Lt. Marshall holds a bachelor's degree from Eastern Michigan University, a master's degree in criminal justice from California State University, San Bernardino, and is a graduate of the Northwestern University Center for Public Safety's School of Police Staff and Command.