Action Plan IMPACT: UPEI Security Services is ‘on the beat’ to create a safer campus
Whether it’s responding to a call for assistance or attending events to engage with members of the UPEI community, UPEI’s Security Services division is helping to create a safer campus.
During the COVID-19 pandemic and in the lead up to the release of the UPEI Action Plan, the Security Services unit faced several staffing issues—the manager position was left vacant for a prolonged period, and finding attendants in the labour market was difficult with no leadership at the helm. This meant that response time was often slow and engagement low due to gaps in staffing.
Goal 3 in the UPEI Action Plan is to “Improve UPEI’s campus culture.” An important part of improving culture is about rebuilding trust and safety on campus (Action 3). One key supporting action (3.3.1.1) in Year 0 was to reinstate the position of Manager of Security Services so that there would be a dedicated management resource to support the unit.
Scott Gosse joined UPEI as manager in February 2024, coming to the University with extensive experience in crime prevention, management, community relations, security infrastructure and technology, and EDI after a 25-year career with the RCMP. He quickly set to work on the Year 0–2 supporting action (3.3.1.2) to hire additional security attendants. Four additional full-time security attendants were hired, bringing the Security Services unit to include one manager, two administrative staff, and 20 security attendants.
With the increased staff, Security Services has been able to provide a greater presence on campus and better respond to any emergencies. Security Services attendants are regularly seen “on the beat,” visiting front-facing departments and public spaces to be visible and get to know members of the community, which also helps their ability to respond. Scott has put a strong emphasis on training and creating internal standard operating procedures to better prepare the security attendants when responding to requests.
Members of the team regularly attend events to promote the services they offer and to create awareness of the various campus safety programs, e.g., encouraging use of the UPEI SAFE app. For example, Security Services had an information table at the Back-to-School Services Fair during Welcome Week in September.
The Security Services team has also been stepping up parking enforcement, improving the availability of parking spaces and ability for more people to park on campus.
UPEI Security Services collaborates with many other departments as well as with external agencies such as Charlottetown Police Services and RCMP to foster and create a campus community in which we can all feel safe and included.
To contact UPEI Security Services, email security@upei.ca or call 902-566-0384 (for non-emergencies).
We will be telling the stories of important progress on the UPEI Action Plan on a regular basis, under the “Action Plan IMPACT” banner. Articles will share how the Action Plan implementation activities are being operationalized, becoming entrenched in our culture and living on long past the plan—making real IMPACT. To submit your own Action Plan IMPACT story, contact communications@upei.ca.
