Use of Unarmed Security Personnel Policy

Policy Number: AS-4000-004

Policy Title:  Use of Unarmed Security Personnel Policy

Vice Chancellor/Associate Chancellor:  Vice Chancellor for Administrative Services

Unit Responsible for Policy:  UIC Police Department

Effective Date: November 17, 2025

Contact: Chief of Police, UIC Police Department (UICPD)

Policy Statement:

UIC is committed to finding ways to enhance security on campus. The purpose of unarmed security personnel is to assist the University in protecting the campus community and University property. The presence of unarmed security personnel has been found to help deter crime in areas in which they are placed and physically noticed.

The deployment of unarmed security personnel is under the authority of the UIC Chief of Police. Under the leadership of the Chief of Police, unarmed security personnel are placed based on assessments of risk, vulnerabilities, and crime data. When developing strategies for deployment, UICPD conducts security surveys, risk analyses, and threat assessments in individual buildings and various areas around campus.

Vice Chancellors, deans, directors, and department heads who wish to add unarmed security personnel in their buildings or work areas, or those with existing unarmed security personnel, shall consult the Chief of Police for guidance, approval, and compliance with this policy. Deans, directors, and department heads are responsible for the cost of deployment and personnel. Units and/or departments must use approved UIC security vendors.

Non-compliance

Failure by individuals, departments, or units to follow this policy and related procedures may result in disciplinary action in accordance with university policies and procedures or in the assessment of additional costs to the department or unit.

Exceptions

The Vice Chancellor for Administrative Services or the Vice Chancellor’s designee may grant exceptions to this policy or related procedures for legitimate safety purposes after a security risk assessment and consultation with the Office of University Counsel.

Reason for Policy:

To ensure there is cohesiveness and consistency, as they relate to the use and expectations of unarmed security personnel on the UIC campus.

Minority Impact Statement: This policy does not have any disproportionate or unique impact on UIC’s minority students, staff, or faculty.

Who Should Read the Policy: All UIC faculty, staff, or other employees or representatives at the Chicago Campus and its other sites (including but not limited to all UI Health sites).

Definitions:

UICPD: The University of Illinois Chicago Police Department.

Unarmed UIC Security: Any security employee hired, trained, supervised, and managed by the UIC Police Department. Unarmed security personnel are trained to focus on proactive security procedures and processes as opposed to reactive enforcement of law and the complexities of this role. Unarmed security will assist the University in protecting the campus community and University property. Security positions neither carry a gun nor have arrest power.

Unarmed Contract Security: Contract security involves the provision of services from an outside company. The contract security company assigns unarmed security officers who will best fit the client's individual needs. These security officers are hired, trained, supervised, and managed by the contracting company.

Departments/Units/ Division: A division of a large organization, such as a government, university, business, or shop, dealing with a specific subject, commodity, or area of activity; an area of special expertise or responsibility.

Procedures: The FAQ’s about Unarmed Security Personnel can be found on the UIC Police Department website at https://police.uic.edu/services/request-unarmed-contract-security/.

Related Laws, Regulations, Statutes, and Policies:

Document History

Approved by: Committee on Policy
Approval date: November 17, 2025
Approved as: New Policy
Effective date: November 17, 2025
Date scheduled for review: November 17, 2030