Students new to ASU should know that, even with two police departments in town, both are here to serve.
"In any situation where an officer is needed, students should approach any officer, DPS or Tempe police," said Jay Spradling, assistant police chief for the ASU Department of Public Safety.
"A student should never fear flagging down the wrong officer."
There are about 68 DPS police officers covering all ASU campuses and about 350 Tempe police officers according to DPS and Tempe Police.
DPS and Tempe police are officers of the state and can make an arrest in the city or on campus.
"No matter if you are a sworn officer for DPS or the city of Tempe, you swear to uphold the laws of the state of Arizona," Hastings said.
For nonemergencies, sometimes students and other Tempe residents confuse the two organizations, DPS and Tempe police said.
"In a nonemergency, a crime victim should report a crime to either DPS or Tempe police, depending upon where the crime was committed," Hastings said.
If a student's bike is stolen in a supermarket off campus, it should be reported to the city of Tempe, he said. Likewise, if a bike is stolen on campus, it should be reported to DPS.
To report a Tempe-related nonemergency to the Tempe police call (480) 350-8311.
Students or other residents can report a nonemergency taking place on ASU's Tempe campus by calling ASU DPS at (480) 965-3456.
DPS and Tempe police both stress that if students need to report an emergency, they should dial 911 and the system will automatically transfer the caller to the closest organization, said Lydia Pina, Tempe police dispatcher supervisor.
"There are antennas all over the city that help cell phone calls go to the correct 911 call center," she said.
If the call is sent to the wrong center, the dispatcher can transfer it by
simply pushing a button, Pina added.
The reporter can be reached at Jeffrey.mitchell@asu.edu
