Public Safety

Dear Campus Community,

As your Chief of Public Safety, I want to address concerns regarding our department's role in federal immigration enforcement and clarify our policies to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all.

Commitment to Non-Participation in Immigration Enforcement

Our primary mission is to maintain the safety and security of our campus. We are committed to:

• Non-Detention: We will not detain or question individuals solely based on their immigration status.
• Non-Cooperation: We will not collaborate with ICE in actions aimed at enforcing federal immigration laws.

Access to Campus Facilities

ICE agents are not permitted to enter non-public areas of our campus, such as dormitories, offices, and classrooms, without a valid judicial warrant signed by a judge. Administrative warrants issued by ICE do not grant authorization to access these areas.

Protection of Personal Information

The university requires a subpoena or a judicial warrant for the disclosure of non-public information to external law enforcement officers.  To the extent federal law requires the university to provide access to records (such as through SEVIS, managed by the ISSO), the university will - unless prohibited from doing so - notify the individual whose records were accessed.

Legal Framework

Our policies align with guidance from the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office and the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court’s decision in Lunn v. Commonwealth, which prohibits law enforcement from detaining individuals solely based on federal civil immigration detainers. 

Our Commitment to You

We understand that recent developments may cause concern within our community. Please know that our department is here to support and protect all members of our campus, regardless of immigration status. We are committed to fostering an environment where everyone feels safe and valued.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please do not hesitate to contact our department.

Matthew T. Rushton

Assistant Vice President, Public Safety/Chief of Police

PDF Link: Chief of Police, Statement on ICE agents, 2.2.25

Here’s what to do if you are approached by an ICE agent:

If you’re a student approached by ICE on campus:

• If you are approached by someone you believe to be an ICE agent, please call Brandeis Public Safety (781) 736-3333.
• If an ICE agent presents a subpoena or warrant, do not accept it.  Instead, call Brandeis Public Safety (781) 736-3333 immediately

• Please do not hold the door open for people you do not know.
• Students may refuse access to ICE agents to enter the student’s housing, unless the ICE agent has a judicial warrant to enter or search that clearly defines the premises to be searched or entered. Administrative warrants (e.g., Form I-200 or I-205) are not sufficient for entry.  If students receive an access request or observe ICE agents conducting enforcement activities on campus, they may call Brandeis Public Safety (781) 736-3333 immediately

If you’re faculty/staff, and ICE or another federal agent asks for entry or information:

• Ask the agent(s) for identifying credentials, a business card, and legal documents
• Ask the agent(s) to wait until you receive a response from Brandeis Public Safety and call Brandeis Public Safety (781) 736-3333 immediately
• Please say “I am not authorized by Brandeis to grant permission to enter non-public areas, provide information about individual students or employees, or accept service of documentation on behalf of Brandeis. I am not obstructing your duties, but I need guidance from Brandeis before permitting your entry, providing information, or accepting service,” then refer the agents to Brandeis Public Safety. 

If someone tries to serve you with a court order or a subpoena:

• Please say “I am not authorized by Brandeis to accept service of documentation. I am not obstructing your duties, but I need to put you in touch with someone who is authorized to help you” then refer the agents to Brandeis Public Safety. 

General Reminders:

• Only judicial warrants (signed by a judge) permit ICE to enter private spaces such as dorm rooms or offices. Administrative warrants (issued by DHS or ICE) do not authorize entry into non-public areas.
• If you feel unsafe or uncertain in any interaction with law enforcement on campus, always contact Brandeis Public Safety at (781) 736-3333.

PDF Link: Here’s what to do if you are approached by an ICE agent.

Below are safety alerts issued by the AVP of Public Safety:

• 1.2024
• 2.2024

Below are reports produced by or that impact Public Safety:

• Public Safety Department 2024 Progress Report.
• Investigative Report, 2024
• Public Safety Department 2023 Progress Report.
• The 2022 Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act), Published October 2023.
• Re-Imagine Report, 2021

The following policies have been issued in support of a safe community.

Policy on Lost and Stolen Property

Policy on Personal Electric Vehicle and Bicycle Usage 

Policy on Bicycle Registration

Policy on Winter Storm and Weather Response 

Policy on Service Animals & University Transportation

Policy on the Intake of Marijuana & Drug Paraphernalia

Policy on Use of Drones over Brandeis Airspace

Policy on Lost & Found - Stolen Brandeis ID Cards

Public Safety Departmental Policies: (Law Enforcement Specific, typically guided by Massachusetts for Federal law)

• Bias-Free Policing Policy
• Crowd Control Policy
• Proper Use of Internet and Email
• Oath of Office, Code of Ethics, Values
• Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Violence
• Reporting Abuse, Excessive Force, or Misconduct by Law Enforcement Personnel
• Discipline & Officer Conduct Policy
• Communications Policy
• Vision Statement
• Mission Statement
• Code of Conduct
• Officer Response To Calls for Service
• Response to Suspicious Persons
• Personnel Identification 
• Legal Authority & Jurisdiction
• Use of Cell Phones
• Parking Enforcement & Towing Policy

Public Safety Patrol Guide: (Brandeis specific, usually not guided by law)

• Winter Weather & Storm Response Policy
• Policy on the Use of Drones
• Transportation & Service Animals
• Public Safety Response to Transportation Accidents
• Policy on Event Security, Staffing Matrix
• After Hours Building Access, Remote Access/C*Cure
• Bicycle Registration Policy
• Transportation Training Policy
• BEMCo Response Standards for Responding to Emergency Requests for Medical Services 
• Response to Held Open Doors, C*Cure Event Monitor

Over the last 12 months, the Brandeis University Police Officers have participated in over 1,500+ hours of training. Each officer completed at least 40 hours of training and another 860+ additional hours of training. A short list is provided below:

• Advanced Sexual Assault Training
• Suicide Intervention and Prevention
• Field Training Officers Course (FTO)
• Leadership Panel Participation, National Association of Women in Law Enforcement (NAWLEE)
• Hate Crimes and Group Training
• Crisis Intervention Training (CIT)
• Stress, Relationships, (NAWLEE)
• Police Mountain Bike Certification Course
• Current 1st Amendment and Civil Rights Issues
• Building a Winning Culture
• Sexual Assault Investigator Course
• FBI, LEEDA Supervisor Training
• Reid School, Interview and Interrogation
• Tactical Instructor Development Course
• The Servant Warrior Training
• Front-line Leadership
• New England Regional Command College
• Intentional Leadership

 Previous training:

• Martin Luther King Jr., Kingian Non-Violence, 3-day workshop.
• Anti-Defamation League (ADL), Antisemitism training
• Combined Jewish Philanthropies (CJP), fair and equitable inclusive training.
• Restorative Justice training.
• History of Racial Profiling, Strategically & Unlocking Authentic Communication in a Culturally-Diverse Workplace.
• 3rd Annual Faith-Based Organizations Safety Seminar, Department of Homeland Security and the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties - response strategies, threats, training.
• “BeAware” training hosted by Secure Communities Network
• Civilian Response to Active Shooter Event (CRASE) train the trainer.
• Building Safe Jewish Communities on Campus
• “White Lives Matter:” A Network of Hate”
• National Preparedness Leadership Initiative at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
• Behavioral Threat Assessment Training
• De-Escalation training
• Threat Assessment Management Team training
• Responding to and Investigating Bomb Threats and Swatting Hoaxes training by the FBI.
• Leading Strategically & Unlocking Authentic Communication in a
• Culturally-Diverse Workplace.
• Kingian non-violence, 3-day workshop.