Dec 03, 2024  
2020-2021 Undergraduate Student Handbook 
    
2020-2021 Undergraduate Student Handbook [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

University Police Department & Campus Safety



The Florida Polytechnic University Police Department is  located  at  the  Campus  Control  Center  (CCC),  4539  (1) Polytechnic Circle. The Florida Polytechnic University Police Department consists of sworn law enforcement and non-sworn members who provide 24-hour police services to the campus community. The University Police Department is under the command of Chief of Police Richard A. Holland and Deputy Chief John D. Houser. The University Police Department is currently staffed by 14 full-time members providing full university police services to the Florida Polytechnic University campus.

Since the main campus is within the city limits of Lakeland, all 911 emergency calls go directly to the Lakeland Police Department Dispatch Center, which dispatches University Police.

The following is contact information for the Florida Polytechnic University Police Department.

  • Non-Emergency Number: 863-874-8472 (Prompt 2)
  • Emergency Number: 911
    • There are also 39 blue light phones strategically placed around the campus in the event of an emergency. The blue light phones dial directly into the police department
  • Email: police@floridapoly.edu

Reporting Campus Crime

Contact the police department by dialing 863.874.8472. If you are near a blue emergency phone, simply press the red button, release it and you will automatically be connected to the police department.

The University is concerned about the safety of its students and faculty, and it is also concerned with the security of both personal and University property. When witnessing or discovering a crime, students should first do what is necessary to secure their personal safety and the safety of others, then immediately report the crime to University personnel available on site. University personnel will then assist students in contacting the University Police Department. Students may seek advice or assistance from the police immediately in the event of a crime.

The campus community will receive a bulletin from the University Police for any crime that affects the community at large. The University reserves the right to alter access to campus facilities at any time. The University also reserves the right to bar an individual or group of individuals from campus facilities or property.

Demonstrations

It is the intent of the University to encourage a free discourse of ideas while maintaining the safe and normal operations of campus life and education. To that extent, the FPU-1.007 Campus Free Expression regulation provides some time, place, and manner parameters on “campus expression” and processes for obtaining permission, when necessary, to hold a demonstration on campus.

Please see FPU-1.007 Campus Free Expression regulation to read in its entirety.

Trespassing

The University permits public access to public portions of the campus while maintaining its commitment to a safe workplace and learning environment. Police may authorize the issuance of trespass warnings pursuant to Florida law.

The University Police Department is responsible for the implementation and enforcement of this regulation provided such is consistent with this regulation and with Florida Statutes section 1012.97 and Chapter 810. The University Police Department may request identification of individuals on campus, may direct individuals to leave campus, may issue trespass warnings and/or may arrest individuals for trespass.

Please see FPU-1.006 Trespass regulation to read in its entirety.

Political Activity on Campus

A group or individual (including University employees) wishing to hold a political activity on campus will be considered as holding an “Unaffiliated Activity” and the group or individual must complete a EMS form, receive written approval in advance of the activity and comply with University rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.

Please see FPU-1.011 Political Activity on Campus regulation to read in its entirety.

Alligators and Snakes

Alligators can be found in virtually every body of water on campus, and are normally shy creatures. But when fed by people, they lose that fear and associate people with food. An alligator that has lost the fear of people can be extremely dangerous, and can approach you looking for food. There are numerous cases in Florida where alligators have attacked people or pets because they have lost the fear of people.

  • Be aware of the possibility of alligator attacks when in or near fresh or brackish water bodies. Attacks may occur when people do not pay close enough attention to their surroundings while working or recreating near water.Do not swim in any of the ponds or lakes on or near the campus as the waters might be inhabited by alligators.
  • Alligators are most active between dusk and dawn.
  • Leave alligators alone. State law prohibits killing, harassing or possessing alligators.
  • Never feed or entice alligators - it’s dangerous and illegal. When fed, alligators overcome their natural wariness and learn to associate people with food.

Report nuisance alligators to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FFWCC) by calling 1-866-FWC- GATOR (866-392-4286). Of the many species of native snakes in Florida, not all are venomous. Still, we strongly suggest that you give all snakes plenty of room.

Florida Poly Alerts

Florida Poly Alerts is the official emergency notification system for Florida Polytechnic University. Florida Poly Alert messages are issued when an ongoing threat, whether man-made or weather-related, presents an immediate threat to the health and safety of people on campus. Messages will be sent to all Florida Poly students, faculty and staff through:

  • Text messages to cell phones
  • Email
  • Telephone messages to all phone numbers listed on your profile
  • Telephone voice messages to all college phones, including all classroom telephones

Check your Florida Poly Alerts account on a regular basis to ensure that you have listed your most current contact telephone numbers.

Additional Resources