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Campus policing began at Cortland State in April of 1966 when the State replaced proprietary agencies like Pinkerton or Interstate which could not provide the competent services that a modern university setting demands.

Prior to 1972 the university hired Institutional Safety Officers who were "Special Policemen" and could be designated peace officers. Those officers primarily controlled parking and protected university property.

In response to the social unrest of the early 1970's, taxpayers and politicians expected university officials to protect their investment and bring order to their colleges. Enter the Campus Security Model which called for an improvement in professionalism compatible with the primary mission of the university.

1971 was the year for the first Civil Service exam for Campus Public Safety Officer. This was a major step as one of the requirements for the job was a two year college degree. SUNY was the first law enforcement type agency in New York to require this two year college degree.

In 1972 the Council of Presidents called for a formation of a task force on campus security. On October 15, 1975 the group came back with recommendations designed to improve both the philosophical concept and operational integrity of campus law enforcement. Since that time the tinkering with the concept of campus law enforcement has been ongoing:


* In 1978 the establishment of the Public Safety study group resulted in a Campus Public Safety Model to replace Campus Security

* In 1980 the Unified Peace Officer Bill listed officers in the Criminal Procedure Law, thereby defining their roll with other criminal   justice practitioners.

* In 1983 the Board of Trustees officially changed titles of University Peace Officer.

* In 1985 the Education Law changed to mandate basic training within one year of appointment.


The Campus Public Safety Model was Affirmed in 1985; this model is defined as the operational merger of security, law enforcement, parking, environmental health and safety, and fire safety functions with administrative variations based on individual campus need. SUNY operated under this model until December 31st of 1998.

The Campus Public Safety model was changed by legislation in August of 1998. Both the New York State Senate and Assembly passed a bill changing the status of Public Safety Officers from Peace Officers to that of full Police Officers. The department's name was also changed to University Police. Governor Pataki signed the bill into law which went into effect January 1st. 1999.