Office of Administration and Finance
Announcements

To:       Members of the University Community

 

From:   Jay Kohl
           Executive Director, Rutgers University Division of Public Safety

Date:    September 30, 2003

Re:       Reorganization of the Division of Public Safety in New Brunswick/Piscataway

 

 

     I am pleased to inform you of organizational changes that have recently taken place within the Division of Public Safety in New Brunswick/Piscataway. In an effort to ensure that Rutgers University provides the most effective and efficient support and safety for its students, academic programs, staff, and the citizens of New Jersey, Executive Vice President Karen Kavanagh has restructured the administrative units reporting to her. You can view the new administrative structure by going to http://adminaffairs.rutgers.edu/. Our goal is to further improve the safety and security of Rutgers while creating an organization that is more service oriented, cost conscious and communications based.

      I will continue to be the Executive Director of Public Safety with the following four areas reporting to me: Rutgers University Police Department (RUPD), Emergency Services (RUES), Parking and Transportation (PAT), and Public Safety Central Administration (PSCA). Here is a summary of the changes that have occurred:

      Rutgers University Police Department (RUPD) will continue to be led by Chief Barry Roberson. In order to continue to provide superior service to the University community, the RUPD will now be comprised of two service units:   1) Police Services, and 2) Security Services. Under Police Services there are now three operating units: 1) Patrol, 2) Investigations, and 3) Traffic.  Within the Security Services division, there are now three operating units:  1) Security, 2) Student Officer Programs, and 3) Key/Security Systems. An Operations Planning and Quality Assurance position, reporting directly to the Chief, will be created to participate in and represent the police department's interests in the numerous events that concern the University.  In harmony with the University's "Process Effectiveness" initiatives, this position has been created and will be tasked with providing independent assessments and recommendations for improvements of operational services
that impact the Rutgers community.

      Rutgers University Emergency Services Department (RUES) will continue to be headed by Chief John Garcia. RUES is comprised of two service units: 1) Emergency Medical and Rescue, and 2) Fire Prevention. The Emergency Medical and Rescue unit is made up of the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) team and the Emergency Response team. The Fire Prevention unit consists of Fire Alarm Services and Fire Inspection Services. In the future, an Operations
Planning and Quality Assurance position, reporting directly to the Chief, will be created.

     Rutgers University Parking and Transportation Services (PaTS) has joined the Public Safety Division. Bob Spear will continue to direct PaTS operations, which are now clearly aligned with Public Safety under two service divisions: 1) Parking Services, and 2) Transportation Services.
John Tuebner has been appointed as the Assistant Director of the Parking Services division reporting to Bob. His primary responsibilities will be to provide optimal services while reducing costs, increasing efficiencies and maintaining the highest standards. John Karakoglou has been appointed as the Assistant Director of Transportation Services reporting directly to Bob.
John's primary responsibility will be to effectively utilize existing resources to constantly improve transportation services. Like the RUPD plan, an "Operations Planning and Quality Assurance" position for Parking and Transportation has been created. Kim Williams has been appointed
Assistant Director in this important position and will also report directly to Bob. Kim will be tasked with providing operational planning and independent assessments and recommendations for improvement of PaTS operational services pursuant to the University's "Process Effectiveness"
initiatives.

      The Central Administration Services Department for Public Safety was created and Peter Bennett has been appointed the Director. The purpose of PSCA is to provide central administrative support to all Public Safety departments. These functions include budget, all financial accounting activities, computing support, and all administrative services including human resources, document management and office management services. This service group will now eliminate redundant tasks performed by each of the operational departments, allowing them to focus their energies and resources towards improving their core services. The director will also represent the Public Safety division for all University-level "Process Effectiveness" initiatives and work closely with each department's Operations Planning and Quality Assurance personnel to implement and monitor each of these initiatives.

      It is important that all of the Public Safety departments function as a single cohesive unit. The standardization of procedures, policies, and processes has already begun. We will continue to evaluate all areas as we move forward in providing quality and cost-effective safety and transportation services to the University. Providing for safe and secure communities is the highest priority of the men and women who proudly serve as members of our Police, Emergency Services, Parking & Transportation and Administrative Services departments. You can browse our home page at http://publicsafety.rutgers.edu for the latest updates. I welcome any thoughts or feedback you might have regarding these changes.

     Thank you for your continued support.